Bristol Type 603
 | This articleneeds additional citations forverification.(August 2018) |
| Bristol Type 603 | |
|---|---|
 Bristol Brigand | |
| Overview | |
| Manufacturer | Bristol Cars |
| Production | 1976-2011 no production figures published |
| Designer | Dudley Hobbs |
| Body and chassis | |
| Body style | 2-doorsaloon |
| Layout | FR layout |
| Related | Bristol 412 |
| Powertrain | |
| Engine |
|
| Transmission | 3-speedautomatic 4-speed automatic from Blenheim 2 |
| Dimensions | |
| Length | 193 inches (4910 mm) |
| Width | 69 inches (1770 mm) |
| Height | 57 inches (1440 mm) |
| Chronology | |
| Predecessor | Bristol 411 |
TheBristol Type 603is a car that was launched in 1976 by British manufacturerBristol Carsto replace the411.With the 603 – introduced along with the Zagato-built412– the Bristol car underwent its first major facelift since the introduction of the406in the late 1950s. The design was to last until the marque's demise in 2011. Bristol's chief designer Dudley Hobbs strove to make the car more spacious and aerodynamic, while also using flatter body panels that would be easier to hammer.
603
[edit]The classicthree-boxtwo-door saloon was replaced by a considerably more streamlined design with a much larger and more curved rear window. The manufacturer pointed out that the new car had more head, leg and shoulder room than any previous Bristol.[1]The outdated style of door handle was updated.
The original 603 was offered in two versions, largely owing to theenergy crisiswhich increased fuel prices so that affordability of fuel was no longer a certainty for those who could afford such expensive cars. The 603E has a 5,211 cc V8petrol engine,whereas the 603S had a larger5.9-litre unit,both fromChrysler.The 603 saw improvements over previous models in its fuel consumption, being able to achieve as much as 22 miles per imperial gallon (13 L/100 km; 18 mpg‑US) at around 100 km/h (62 mph) compared with the 411's 17 miles per imperial gallon (17 L/100 km; 14 mpg‑US) – for comparison, as good as theJaguar XJS.Both retained the same transmission and suspension as the 411, but the cabin had become more luxurious with the provision of electrically adjustable seats andair conditioning.
603 S2
[edit]As the energy crisis eased, all Bristols received a standard 5.9-litre Chrysler unit that was to be used for all subsequent editions of the car. Theheadlampclusters were also set in a new grille. This model is called the603 S2.
Britannia and Brigand (603 S3)
[edit]
The third series of 603, introduced in 1982 and continuing until 1994, saw Bristol adopt for the first time the names of the famousBristol Aeroplane Companymodels for its cars. With this series of 603, there was a smaller radiator grille and more modern rear vision mirrors. The headlamps were the rectangular units from theVolkswagen Scirocco II.[2]The tail-lights, borrowed from theBedford CF2van, were also mounted directly vertically, whereas on previous versions of the 603 thereversing lightswere separate from the rearturn indicatorsand brake lights.
TheBristol Britanniawas the standard version, whilst theBristol Brigandhad a Rotomasterturbochargeradded to the Chrysler V8 engine and atorque converteroriginally used on the440 V8to cope with the extra performance, which saw the Brigand capable of 150 mph (241 km/h). The Brigand could be distinguished from the Britannia by the bulge in the bonnet needed to accommodate the turbocharger, and also had alloy wheels as standard equipment.
There were a number of minor changes to the appearance of both models during their 12-year production run, especially at the front.
Blenheim (603 S4)
[edit]
With the Blenheim, Bristol further refined the 603, in particular modernising the mechanicals of the car through the introduction of the multi-portfuel injection,Chrysler Magnum engine, which improved both performance and fuel consumption. Turbocharging was no longer available, but the Blenheim Series 1 still had the same level of performance as the Brigand.
There was a significant change in frontal and rear-end styling with the introduction of the Blenheim. The headlights were paired and mounted considerably inboard from the extreme front of the car. The bonnet was also modified with the fitting of gas struts to hold it up when open for the first time, and featured a fully rectangular hinge for the first time in Bristol's history.
Since that time the Blenheim has gone through two additional series, theBristol Blenheim Series 2,made from January 1998 to the end of 1999, featured for the first time a four-speed overdrive lock-upautomatic transmission,which significantly improved fuel consumption. Bristol also responded to complaints about lacking power and reworked the engine, which now produced approximately 260 hp (194 kW). The front was reworked with larger headlamps and grille opening, accentuated by a single central chrome strip. The track was widened, while other modifications shrunk the rather large turning circle to 11.9 m (39 ft).
TheBlenheim 3which went on sale in 2000 (shown in October 1999) saw the abandonment of the vertically mounted Bedford tail-lights in favor of the split units from theOpel SenatorBand a much revised interior layout with completely new gear selector and improved instrumentation. Also, the engine saw significant improvements: higher compression along with reworked camshafts, heads, and a new engine management system gave what Bristol referred to as "significantly increased" power. Period publications estimate it to 360 hp (268 kW). As of early 2002 there was also a sportier model with blacked out trim, called the Blenheim 3S. A new manifold and bigger valves, along with a reworked engine management system which allowed another 500 rpm of engine speed, meant that about 400 hp (298 kW) was now on tap. Bristol themselves declined to offer official power figures, as usual, but simply stated that the engine provided "muscular authority."[3]The suspension was firmed up and aluminium wheels were fitted. Four-pot brakes were included up front and the rear track was widened by 60 mm (2.4 in), which required the rear fenders to be reworked. At the rear end, four exhaust pipes were fitted.[3]
In the spring of 2009, Bristol finished a car referred to as the Blenheim 4S/G at the request of a customer. This revived the 603 body, albeit with the taillights of a2000-2004 Audi A4Avant (B6), and with new doorhandles replacing the usual Vauxhall units. It is not immediately apparent, but every single body panel is changed, even the roof, as the roof gutters were replaced with more modern, integrated roof gulleys.[4]Series production seems to have been under consideration but the car remains a one-off.
References
[edit]- ^"Bristol's new body has old-style quality".Motor.16 October 1976. p. 22.
- ^Beyl, Tobias (July 2017). "12 bezahlbare Sportwagen" [12 affordable sports cars].Motor Klassik(in German). Stuttgart, Germany: Motor Presse Stuttgart. p. 25.ISSN0177-8862.
- ^abRoßbach, Dieter (27 December 2001)."Bristol Blenheim 3S: No sex please, we are British".Prova Magazin(in German). virto GmbH. Archived fromthe originalon 29 April 2015.Retrieved10 August2017.
- ^"Bristol Blenheim 4S/G".Bristol Owner's Club.Archived fromthe originalon 1 July 2016.