As this issue of Classic Car Mart was about to go to print, it was announced that Bristol Cars has gone into administration. Tom MacLennan and Trevor Binyon from RSM Tenon have been appointed administrators for the firm, which was formed from the aircraft industry in 1946 and has maintained a constant presence through a single showroom on Kensington High Street, London.

Mr MacLennan told the BBC: “While there have been a number of immediate redundancies due to the financial position of the company, we are maintaining the sales and service operations so customers will continue to be supported. We would urge any interested parties to make contact with us as quickly as possible and are confident that we can secure the future of this iconic British brand.” Bristol Cars began life as an aircraft maker – the Bristol Aeroplane Company – but moved into the luxury, hand-built car market after World War II.

Since then, all Bristol cars have been produced at the company’s factory in the Filton area of Bristol – rather fittingly, home to the airfield where the Bristol Aeroplane Company was first based.

Bristol’s current model line-up comprises the classic Blenheim, Blenheim Speedster and Series 6, as well as the Fighter and Fighter T – the latter described by Bristol as a ‘hypercar’ thanks to a claimed output of more than 1000bhp (and 1036lb.ft. of torque) via its twin-turbocharged ex-Dodge V10 engine.

ARE YOU A BRISTOL FAN? Tell us your Bristol memories or send us a photograph of a Bristol that you’ve owned and we’ll try to include them in a future issue. Write to us at the usual Peterborough address or send an email to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .