1985 Bristol Britannia/Brigand

Description

RESERVE REDUCED; Unique Britannia converted by the factory to full Brigand turbo spec in 1999 and only 17,400 miles since; former multiple concours winner; current owner 19 years; very smart indeed 

“The Brigand’s cabin is high compared to most cars on the road so one is imbued with a feeling of quiet dominance and superiority as one views the world across the seemingly endless bonnet, an impression only heightened when one really puts one’s foot down. The ease with which it built up to an indicated 145mph suggested to us that the quoted top speed of 152mph might be on the conservative side. Loping along at 100mph, the Brigand’s V8 is ticking over at 3,600rpm and the atmosphere within is akin to a West End club, being at least the equal of anything produced by Rolls-Royce” – MotorSport, January 1984.

Launched in 1982, the Brigand was the third series of Bristol’s 603 model, being a turbocharged version of the otherwise identical Britannia, only alloy wheels and a bonnet bulge differentiating the one that housed the blower. Both cars were named after ground attack aircraft manufactured by Bristol Cars’ former parent, the Bristol Aeroplane Company. The performance Brigand model used a factory-tuned version of the 360ci (5.9-litre) Chrysler V8 engine equipped with specially developed camshafts, a four-barrel Carter carburettor, electronic ignition and a Rotomaster turbocharger. Driving through Chrysler Torqueflite automatic transmission, the factory claimed a 0-60mph time of 7.2 seconds.

The fact that MotorSport could only review the Brigand two years after it was launched tells its own story as they almost certainly had to borrow the car from a well-heeled reader. Bristol's long-term owner, Tony Crook, looked at the world from an entirely different angle to most car company proprietors, openly making the purchase of his products as difficult as possible to sort the wheat from the chaff. His policy of "no riff-raff" was certainly different, as was his refusal to lend any cars to journalists, a profession he held in some contempt.

Like all Bristol models, the Brigand was built around a massively strong chassis of closed box welded steel construction with three cross members and stiff floorpans welded into the structure, with handmade light aluminium alloy body panels. Although it was no catwalk beauty, it had huge street presence which left other road users in no doubt that here was a machine to be reckoned with.

Front suspension was by means of unequal length wishbones in conjunction with coil springs while torsion bars and a Watts linkage were employed at the rear. Adjustable telescopic dampers and Girling disc brakes all round completed what was a most effective package. As with all Bristols, individual touches abounded, like the rope handle on the glovebox lid and hinged front wings with compartments containing the spare wheel (nearside) and the battery, twin brake servos and fuse panel (offside).

Like Rolls-Royce and Aston Martin, Bristol declined to publish output figures but 300bhp and 400lb/ft would not be too far wide of the mark. They also famously declined to publish production figures – when asked during a press launch how many cars he actually produced, Crook haughtily replied: “I will never make more than 150 in one year”; an evasive riposte to say the least, as "fewer than a handful" was probably closer to the truth! Costing £50,000 new (a huge sum in the early-1980s) ownership was limited to a fortunate few and only two other Brigands and seven Britannias are still UK registered today, according to DVLA figures, so you could wait a long time before you see another one for sale.

First registered in July 1985, chassis number 8532107 originally left the Filton factory as a Britannia fitted with Brigand-style dual headlights and Wolfrace wheels. It was first owned by Shaker Group, a Saudi Arabian air conditioning company with premises in London SW7. In 1989 it was acquired by property developers JJ Saunders Ltd of Bath when it had the registration number 25 EXY. From 1994 – 1998 it was owned by a Mr I Butcher of Aylesbury and from 1998 – 2005 by an American banker, Steve Sparkes, Managing Director of Morgan Stanley, who lived in New York but kept the car at his address in the UK along with a Bristol 410.

In 1999, when the car had covered 87,500 miles, Sparkes sent the Britannia back to the Bristol factory to be converted to full Brigand turbo spec, as detailed in correspondence and photos on file. This included an engine overhaul and fitment of a Rotomaster turbocharger (which alone cost over £15,500); additional dash instruments; new Brigand bonnet with turbo bulge; new exhaust system; modifications to the braking system; Brigand badging on the boot; wide-track Blenheim 2 sports suspension with adjustable Spax shock absorbers and Blenheim 2 alloy wheels. The car was subsequently maintained by Bristol Cars as detailed in invoices on file.

Our vendor acquired the car via Andrew Blow in 2005. A long-standing member of the Bristol Owners’ Club, he has cherished it ever since, winning Best in Class at the BOC Concours D’Elegance in 2005, 2006 and 2013 and it has not been entered since. A good file of invoices show regular upkeep during his 19-year ownership, including a full repaint in the original Beaufort Blue in 2021, along with new screen rubbers and a new headlining, the bill for this lot coming to £13,400. Regular servicing has been carried out by Bristol Cars, the odometer now showing 104,833 miles.  

As you can see in the photos, the car looks very smart indeed with gleaming paintwork and a nicely preserved cream hide interior with all the usual Bristol luxuries including electrically adjustable front seats and door mirrors, remote boot and fuel flap release and a high-end Nakamichi radio/CD. It has been starting promptly and running beautifully as we have moved it around on site, with good 60psi oil pressure.

It comes with a large and interesting history file including copies of the factory build sheets; correspondence with Bristol Cars; photos of the car being converted; much technical literature about the 603 Series; original instruction manual and tool roll; DVLA ownership print-out; many invoices and 22 old MOTs, the current valid until 30^th November 2024 with no advisories recorded. There is also a copy of Christopher Balfour’s book on Bristol Cars which features B413 YTC on page 345, plus a bespoke indoor car cover and a quantity of useful spares.

This ultra-exclusive and fastidiously maintained luxury GT has only covered some 17,400 miles since the turbo conversion and will doubtless provide years of faithful service for its next discerning owner. But remember - "no riff raff"!

For more information contact James on 07970 309907 or email [email protected]