Bristol Cars Returns With A Fighter

In 1929, Winston Churchill was forced out of political office. Despite having no official position, he remained politically active and vocal about his fear of the growing Nazi influence in Germany. Once World War II came to Britain’s doorstep in September 1939, Prime Minister Neville Chamberlain had no choice but to return Churchill to the same position. Bringing back Churchill to fight the Nazis proved to be a great move. Can the same be said for the return of Bristol Cars?

“Bringing Bristol Cars back is about far more than reviving a name; it is about bringing back the spirit of a marque that has always stood apart,” says Paul King, director of Bristol Cars. “Bristol has a remarkable story, from its roots in aviation and engineering to the extraordinary and exclusive cars it crafted. We want to honour that heritage while giving Bristol a future that is every bit as distinctive.”

A company that began as a spin-off from the Bristol Aeroplane Company in 1945, Bristol is landing back into the marketplace by way of a familiar route. It’s almost as if the company had a long layover, rather than ending production in 2011. Instead of creating a new model, Bristol revisited the Fighter, the last model it produced in quantity.

The two-seat Fighter was originally built from 2004-11 and is referred to by Bristol Cars as “a pinnacle of aero-inspired engineering.” The latest edition that was unveiled at Salon Privé is a long and low sports car with a design based on aerodynamic principles, paying tribute to the manufacturer’s origin. It is built upon an original, unused Fighter chassis and features gullwing doors, which add to its curb appeal.

Powered by a 525-horsepower 8.0-liter V-10 derived from the Dodge Viper, the Fighter can be upgraded to 600 horsepower. According to Bristol, the upgraded drivetrain is capable of achieving 210 mph.

“To bring Bristol back to making cars in Britain, and with Richard Hackett returning to the company, we have brought together an exceptional combination of heritage, knowledge, engineering, and craftsmanship,” adds King. “This is the beginning of Bristol’s return, and there is much more to come.”

This is the first of four Fighters that will be available for purchase within the next several months. Each one is hand-built and can be configured in either right- or left-hand drive. Bristol is even working with an unnamed “leading British manufacturing partner” to ensure each customer’s exact wishes are met.

For enthusiasts in the United States, there’s good news: Bristols can be imported thanks to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s “Show or Display” exemption. The exemption allows non-U.S.-specification vehicles 25 years old and newer to be imported, even if they don’t comply with the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards.

To learn more, visit www.bristol-cars.co.uk.