1954 Bristol 404 Sports Coupé
Emerging in 1953, the 1954 Bristol 404 Sports Coupé was a sophisticated grand tourer that finally departed from the company’s BMW-derived styling. The model introduced an aeronautically inspired air intake that replaced the distinctive two-piece radiator grille, marking Bristol’s evolution into a truly independent design philosophy. Only 52 examples were produced between 1953 and 1955, making it exceptionally rare today.
The 404 featured an ash-framed, aluminum-alloy body construction built to aircraft industry standards, resulting in superior build quality compared to many contemporaries. Power came from Bristol’s BMW-based 2.0-liter six-cylinder engine, available in either 105 or 125 horsepower configurations, paired with a four-speed manual transmission featuring first-gear freewheel. The short-wheelbase design accommodated the spare wheel in the front wing for the first time.
Nicknamed the “Businessman’s Express,” the 404 delivered high-speed comfort that defined the gran turismo concept.
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