I was one of the 4 engineers that worked on the development of the Fighter, the Chief Engineer was Bob Stevens who came from Lotus along with a chap called Angus. Angus built motorbikes from scratch in his spare time. I never met Max but he left pretty early on. The width of the car was narrow to keep the frontal area low, and to be able to park it in a small city lockup garage, both of which were important to Bristol’s owner. The brakes used to be AP racing and they were fantastic. The styling was dictated by the then owner Toby Silverton, a very kind chap but a slightly quirky taste, and Bruce Southey did a great job of trying to make Toby’s styling preferences & proportions work. The indicator stalks are e30 Bmw iirc not Ford. The steering was again dictated by Toby, who wanted it to have the same turning circle as a black cab, hard to get it feeling good with such a small turning circle. They’ve probably changed a few things since I left. I was the first person to crash one, whilst road testing, nothing serious. Clutch pedal travel was lengthened to reduce the force, it’s quite hard in the viper. The car was designed to be a practical, but rather exotic, daily driver. First film test I’ve ever seen of the car so thanks!

@ctr289

Жыл бұрын

Let's be honest, the car is ugly, the Viper makes use of that engine a lot better

@aliwheel5238

Жыл бұрын

@@ctr289 beauty is subjective, viper is ace, I like this too

@hotf00t13

Жыл бұрын

@@ctr289 theres a good talk by Toby Silverton on YT explaining the very good reasons this car is a better use of said engine.. the viper is cool, but this car is very underrated.

@scotta5579

Жыл бұрын

Holy crap. They fell for it...

@Chris.Strange

Жыл бұрын

I was going to comment that the stalks looked like they'd been sourced from BMW and I am glad I read your comment before I did.

Until fairly recently, one of the few things I knew about them was that icon of motoring journalism, LJK Setright thought they were one of the best cars in the world. One story I heard was when they did a crash test of one of the later models. Apparently it passed, easily. Nothing fell off, then Bristol took it back and repaired it

@stanleymasterson1135

Жыл бұрын

He thought early Bristols were among the best, not the Fighter

In my opinion, one of the greatest cars of all time. How did a small company like Bristol build something so glorious!

@MrSimon1909

2 жыл бұрын

if by greatest you mean worst then i have to agree

@smyffmawzz

7 ай бұрын

Thanks . They are all so ugly . Designed by my 8 year old . @@MrSimon1909

I absolutely love Bristols! I like the cars too !!

So glad you "get" Bristol, James. Character, character, character. Built by engineers for people who appreciate fine engineering. Everything functional; nothing done for "styling" or image, nothing fake. My favourite motoring journalist was the late, great, erudite LJK Setright: a Bristol owner. Through him, I've always been fascinated by Bristols but, sadly, never had the opportunity to drive one. I used to work on Bentley driving events; very occasionally, a guest would roll up in a Bristol. I always had a chat with them because I knew that anyone who owned a Bristol would be a special person. Never disappointed.

Jeremy Clarkson once either said or wrote the handle on the glove box looked like it came from a Victorian box of some sort during a road test, and was promptly banned by Bristol. It was then extended to apply to James May as well, due to his assosiation with Jezza.

@arrangrant6037

2 жыл бұрын

The story goes that Tony Crook Bristol’s owner at the time closed the Kensington showroom when he saw James May lurking around outside 😀

@glennoropeza3545

2 жыл бұрын

I'm a big fan of the 3 blokes and however crude Clarkson is the manufacturers take his criticism constructively!

@arrangrant6037

2 жыл бұрын

@@glennoropeza3545 Apparently Tony Crook took great offence to Clarkson’s remarks about Bristol on TG he refused there after to provide any cars for them to review and banned them from the showroom

@norcatch

2 жыл бұрын

@@arrangrant6037 That's what Clarkson and May said at least.

This car is... an event! You are one of a tiny handful of people to have driven this model. I'm so glad you created this video. Mahalo and well done! And... oh, yes... more Bristols, if you please!

@JayEmmOnCars

2 жыл бұрын

I feel honoured to have had the opportunity!

Repairing "Bristols"..... Sounds like a dream job!!!!!

No way I ever thought I'd see a Bristol Fighter test drive. Great job in your review, as usual. Loved it. Yes please, some older Bristol reviews would be great

@nonick8490

2 жыл бұрын

I seem to remember a fighter-review from Carfection, a few years back. You might want to have a look.

It’s brilliant, as a long term viewer of this channel to note the progress from more straightforward car reviews to an excellent insight into the entire history of the marque. Brilliant work as always James keep it up

@alech8336

2 жыл бұрын

Well said, Billy. Totally agree. This is really unique and quality content.

I always liked the looks of the Fighter - and its proportions. The company argued that they built it narrow to make it driveable on narrow country lanes - which imho is good thinking.

@Mgoblagulkablong

2 жыл бұрын

It is 5cm narrower than a Dacia Sandero!

@notroll1279

2 жыл бұрын

@@Mgoblagulkablong Great news! 🤪

@erepsekahs

2 жыл бұрын

Shame the Holiday Tourist bus makers don't feel the same way.

@curtisducati

2 жыл бұрын

@@Mgoblagulkablong Tell James May he will love that !

@curtisducati

2 жыл бұрын

That car is a mess , wrong front end , looks like a bloody Celica ? Awful design with silly doors and ugly body , wheels look like a Fiesta ? Not surprised Bristol closed again ffs ....Another fail .....

Bring on the old Bristol videos. I remember seeing this my my Evo ‘Supercars’ magazine as a teenager and adoring this car!! Utterly unique. I’ve seen them at motor shows subsequently and they always steal the show for me!!

That is almost certainly the coolest car you've ever driven on the channel.

Car reviews and stories like this are why I love this channel so much

James I need to thank you, my three year old boy really struggles at night time. But every night I put on one of your videos and he loves the noise of the car driving off and then eventually turns over and goes to sleep when you start talking. I think your voice soothes him . ❤

@JayEmmOnCars

2 жыл бұрын

My sister currently has two little ones so I know how helpful that can be? Glad to be of service :)

I always remember Bristol along side one LJK Setright one of the most acclaimed and eccentric motoring journalist of the 70’s and 80’s, this was the time I first started reading Car magazine. I was fascinated by both the style of writing and the passion he had for Bristol cars owning many, I believe, over his years as a journalist. I agree having more eccentric’s and cars like Bristol in our lives keeps life interesting. Look forward to your next Bristol videos.

I actually quite like how it looks, a bit of TVR and Mazda RX-7 and the truncated rear like the ultra rare breadvan GTO and other shooting brakes. Thanks for sharing such a rare piece of automotive history!

More Bristols needed please!!

Next up in the Giant British Cars series - Aston Martin V8 Vantage LM600. Please, please...🙏🙏🙏 This is pure gold, Mr. Jayemm, absolute audio-visual gold. Excellent work once more...

I get Zagato vibes aplenty from the styling. I like it a lot.

Speaking of low volume British sports cars, there's the TVR Speed 12 at Lakeland Motor Museum. C'mon James, you know you want to :)

@PriestOfAuril

2 жыл бұрын

I need to go see

@JayEmmOnCars

2 жыл бұрын

I have emailed them before and I want to but they don't!

@thomaswatson9950

2 жыл бұрын

@@JayEmmOnCars keep at it! It’ll be worth it!

I always had a special feeling about Bristols and I knew people who drive several. I even liked the eighties era. In 2009, I was toying with the idea of test driving one. I can’t remember the exact price, but you could one at the bottom of the market at around £7-8k. The very same cars put in a dry garage would easily fetch £40k+ now. I got a R107 SL280 and that’s another sad story of regret selling. I’m glad you enjoyed the car, James!

All the Bristols! All of them!

DUUUDE!!! I’ll watch Bristol content anytime.

Great video, always wanted to buy a Bristol from the showroom when I made my millions. Unfortunately they got fed up waiting and closed down 😏 keep up the great work. Thanks 👍

Love it! Thank you SLJ Hackett! The world needs cars like this... So very British! So very expensive though... But, it's for a certain discerning clientele for sure!

Wow! I can't believe you managed to get hold of one of these rare beasts! It's cars like this that really make this channel great.

@JayEmmOnCars

2 жыл бұрын

Thankyou, I get very lucky

Awesome car. Thank you for showcasing this amazing and very rare car. Fantastic video. Keep up the good work.

@JayEmmOnCars

2 жыл бұрын

That's the plan! Thanks for watching

Love these, like an alternative TVR, shame they went under. Edit: So it turns out they aren’t finished yet! In 2011 they went under and were sold, 2015 they announced development of a new car, the Bristol Bullet, 2020 they went under again without it going into production, 2021 it was again announced they would be making cars under yet another owner, announcing a limited run of 8 each of 3 vehicles, the 411 Series 8, the Fighter & the Speedster. Before concentrating production on their new electric Bristol Buccaneer. Also there is a video from The Bearded Explorer that shows the assets of Bristol after their 2020 liquidation prior to being auctioned off, several incomplete Bristols sitting around, Bullets and Fighters.

@huyra8019

2 жыл бұрын

i mean alot of companies go under especially if you are picky about the people who buy your cars. or you simply dont produce enough cars for a specific market. Cant have any market share if you litterally dont exist in most peoples minds.

@notroll1279

2 жыл бұрын

Wasn't the Bullet a project by someone else who bought the remains of Bristol after their demise?

@Beer_Dad1975

2 жыл бұрын

Definitely looking forward to seeing Jay review some of the older models.

@adeyf7842

2 жыл бұрын

@@notroll1279 Yes it was. I believe the owners found or inherited with the sale, a one off prototype called the Blenheim Speedster, then commissioned someone with Zagato connections to design a new car with similar looks. A number of Morgan chassis were purchased to built it on, but none (I'm sure) were ever sold.

@marcushull12

2 жыл бұрын

@@huyra8019 they had 77 years which is 6 years more than Saab , so it Doesn't matter even if you aren't picky , you can still go under like Saab or china buys you like MG, Volvo, Lotus , LDV, London taxies .

great video James. My dad used to have a 411 series 2. It was such an odd ball and very thirsty. It wasn't too bad in the 80's and 90's, but now. Jesus. We met Sir Anthony Crook at Bristol event back in the day.

As a London mini cab driver I would pass the Bristol showroom frequently. The cars always seemed 30 years old even when new. Never got the appeal but the Fighter I was curious about. It's a car I thought everyone had forgotten about. Great review. Thank you.

I literally just watched an HSG automotive video on this and wondered if anyone had reviewed it, little did I know it's getting a feature by one of my favorite automotive journalists, thank you JayEmm

Loved this film! My late gran lived round the corner from Bristol Showroom and I went past there over 30 years probably every 10 days. Always amazed at how rarely car changed in the window, but would want a go in a Bristol at some point! Just ultimate eccentric British car, miss the Olympia showroom.

You've upped your game considerably with the history and quirky facts. Well worth the watch. Thank you.

@JayEmmOnCars

2 жыл бұрын

Thanks very much, glad you enjoyed it

I just came across your channel. I am 71 years old so I like the sports cars from the 1960’s and 1970’s.

Bloomin marvelous. I can't wait to see the other Bristol's now. Your a legend James.

Wow I love this car. It's so odd but yet so fantastic. If I had a choice of the Bristol Fighter or a Ferrari 599, I would take the fighter; any day of the week !

I am one of those people who think that this is a beautiful car. I love the lines and the proportions-- the tiny engine in the back, the overall, extremely British character of the thing...wonderful video.

This is the best looking car Bristol ever made. Mind you, that is not saying a great deal. Cool all the same.

When I was a kid in the early 70's My Father and I wandered upon a Bristol at a car show in Edmonton Alberta. It was a gorgeous car with a 318 Chrysler V8 powering it through a push button Automatic transmission. The weird thing about the car is that the spare tire was located under the passenger's front fender. I remember my Dad saying I likely would never see another one in person, and he was right (so far).

Enjoyed the footage of the car driving through Lavington and Tilshead - I grew up close to there. If I'd seen a Bristol Fighter coming through it would have made my year!

Amazing video James, I was fascinated by Bristol for a long time and your review of the fighter brought a genuine smile to my face.

What a beauty... being as the fighter has an aviation background the special gull wing doors do remind me of helicopter doors somehow..??? Thanks for smart video..

Wow James! Amazing can't believe you've been able to drive one of these I remember LJK Setright loved Bristol's mate again amazing. Thank you.

@JayEmmOnCars

2 жыл бұрын

Thanks Graeme - it was a pleasure!

Almost certainly the best video you have made, and all of them have in my view been pretty excellent. Thoroughly enjoyed watching this.. Thank you so much James...Looking forward to the next one

@AsinineComment

2 жыл бұрын

Are you kidding?! 😬 This was bumbling, indulgent rubbish. It's little better than old ones I saw coupla years ago.

these things are SO cool. definitely in my dream garage.

An excellent video, thank you so much. This is my new favourite KZread channel…can’t wait to watch all your content.

Good lord! I totally forgot about this car. My only recollection of it was a small paragraph and photo in Autocar magazine. Thank you so much for this video. I throughly enjoyed it. The last 6 being built should have the 8.4 V10 as fitted to the final Viper. 640bhp & 600 lb ft is plenty. 1000bhp is an unreliable, unnecessary, money pit with RIP written all over it. Especially in the UK where roadworks, speed cameras, potholes, fuel duty, congestion and insurance costs make enjoying 300bhp these days an expensive chore with little reward.

@culcune

2 жыл бұрын

I believe that Bristol blew its chances by not utilizing the Viper engine, or at least its truck V10 engine, in its Blenheim lineup. They were using crate 360 cu. in. engines from the performance parts division of Chrysler (I believe it was called 'Direct Connection' until recently when they renamed it 'Mopar') and if I recall, those were USED engines albeit factory rebuilt. Hardly 'exotic' by any means as far as competing with more exotic luxury competitors. Chrysler had a full-size pickup with the 6-speed manual transmission and Viper engine sold as a performance truck, but then came out with a 4-door pickup with the Viper engine and automatic transmission. Those were not to be confused with the lower performance V10 option already available in pickups (work pickups), but a bonified full-size 4x4 pickup with four doors AND 525 hp Viper engine with auto transmission. Heck, the 90s and early 2000s Blenheims could/should have already been using the lower powered V10 truck engines instead of the 360 engine, which would have given it some sort of image boost to justify its 6-figure price tag. The Viper's V10 would have made it that much more interesting, followed with this Fighter engine with the higher horsepower V10 available later on.

Good test and I agree totally, the Bristol Motor Works was an amazing firm and hats off to them for surviving for so long and yes do some test on older models.

Love the safety glasses on the head while operating the lathe lol

yes, more Bristol reviews please, I and the ghost of LJK Setright will thank you!

I remember a guy round the corner having a Bristol, I helped him bump start it one morning, quite heavy!

Yes! Had a good look around one of these at the brilliant Sunday Breakfast Meets at Haynes Motor Museum... couldn't belive someone had brought one out! Yes please to more Bristols (ooh err?)

So happy to see any content on Bristol cars, especially the Fighter. It would be great to see you reviewing other Bristol models, it is a manufacturer I have always been interested in since visiting their showroom as a child when collecting car brochures. I was treated like a potential future customer in what felt like a very old fashioned and very upmarket place where I had expected to be just chucked out for wasting their time. I am always excited to see a Bristol on the road or now more regularly at car shows, so thank you for this content.

You transmited me the curiosity for the car which I absolutely adore. Very cool piece. I'd love to see those other Bristols mentioned!

You've taken your channel to the next level with this video James. Top job!

@JayEmmOnCars

2 жыл бұрын

Thanks Julian

Great video. I love to see these less obvious modern classics. Would be great if you could do a video on the new Fighter builds.

Wow. You never cease to amaze me with sharing your drives with these unicorns.

Loved this video, well done. JayEmm

I have a friend that worked in the Bristol factory in Bristol and he had some fine tales about Tony Crook to. His motorbike got stolen, Tony found out and came up with a huge rolls of cash and said, how can help. The bike was insured, but Tony was an individual alright. The tale of them dropping a car of the ramp 2 days before it was due to be passed back said what spirit the workers had. All the stuff chipped in and practically re-built the car in 2 days so the customer was unaware

@robinoconnor1203

2 жыл бұрын

Tony Crook was a legend, if he did not like you, he would not let you buy a car. Story is that Michael Winner was approaching the showroom door, Tony ran over and locked it, shook his head at Winner and mouthed NO. I met him a couple of times amazing character.

@ZIGZAG12345

2 жыл бұрын

@@robinoconnor1203 Heard that "he has to approve first" story before, but the fact he did that to a complete tosser like Michael Winner is a serious bonus!

That's amazing. I've honestly never heard of this car before. I'm surprised James, Richard, or Jeremy never got there hands on one in the glory days of Top Gear.

@chrisdavidson911

2 жыл бұрын

Absolutely no chance of that, not only because Tony wouldn't let the press review them, but he also wouldn't sell one to James while he was working on the show

@imnotamechanic3491

2 жыл бұрын

Part of the appeal of Bristol I think was that no one really knew what they were, as James said, the ones prior to this looked like a weird Capri, you had to know, a bit like a nice watch - its showing off, but not that you have money, but taste. In contrast you drive a Lamborghhini to tell everyone you have loads of cash, and they make their own judgement on taste.

This car is a total fantasy for me. Thanks for making the video. Those stalks look like BMW, not Ford, btw. A magical car.

I absolutely love the looks of this car! A mix between a 1963 Corvette Stingray and a Dodge Viper. Thanks for sharing.

@soulofmysteryy

Жыл бұрын

the front also reminds me of a rx7

Fabulous! Perhaps the best ground clearance of any 200mph car ever built., Helpful for those rutted tracks around the family pile.

Great to see this - I've always loved the marque and look forward to more content. Good job!

One of the old ones would be great, they were truly unique.

Have been a subscriber for a while now... but only saw this today... this was an extra special experience! Thank you for sharing it

I've always like the Bristol as a mechanic for 40+ years, they're just different but that one is a peach that I've never heard of, looks really good and a powertrain that it suits. Great video cheers.👍

James another wonderful review in your particularly charismatic manner. While on the subject of other Bristols to drive, a 411 Series 6 is one of my all time favourite motor cars, would be lovely to see one reviewed please. Been searching for one, but not found the one yet... The 411 Series looks hand bitingly gorgeous, however £495,000 hmm.

This might be my favourite video from you and I've been watching since you picked up the Lotus. Great work James, the Bristol is incredible.

The 'Kingsman' of British automobiles! 👍🏻😎🍸🎩

@JayEmmOnCars

2 жыл бұрын

It really is

@douglasb.5601

2 жыл бұрын

@@JayEmmOnCars 😎👍🏻

Another very cool car that none of us in the US will ever see. If I had the money, I would have loved to buy one. It reminds me a little bit of the Jenson Interceptor. I love this content, and your humor. Please keep up the good work. Thank you.

What an amazing car!

Seriously cool! Well done. Very much enjoyed the hoisroey aspect of the car and the wonderful Tony Crook anecdote. Yes please on the older Bristols.

Great great video, I heard and saw magazine articles at the time on this car, but always wondered if any actually made it out of the door. Great find James! Super interesting too.

Look forward to seeing that nice pair o’ Bristols you’re promising us. More of these please 👍🏼

@JayEmmOnCars

2 жыл бұрын

Naturally

This is fantastic, well done showcasing this car

Always wanted a Fighter as a kid. Highly disappointed when I found out they made so few. If you're getting offers to drive old Bristols, I'd love to see one of the 2-liters. There isn't a lot of footage or audio of that motor.

@markusberzborn6346

Жыл бұрын

You can currently buy a more or less brand new Fighter by getting left-over chassis finished by SLJ Hackett.

FANTASTIC content sir! Brilliant. I am always a fan of more Bristols on a channel.

Only one word required.........BRILLIANT!

Can't believe you found a Bristol Fighter! I had heard there were never any Fighter Ts produced, but that mythical status is going to make the only one in the world even cooler. =)

Thank you so much for this review! As a driver of TVR and Scimitar I absolutely love cars from small, a bit strange british brands. It would be great to see another Bristol video from you. Marcos, Ginetta, Jensen, Scimitar, Gilbern or something like that would also be nice.

Very very envious you git ,I would regularly look in the showroom on a evening nose pushed up against the window, happy days.

Thank you for this, one of my favourite early naughties supercars. Great work.

THAT Bristol Fighter, what a motor! The kind of engineering only the Brits can do. Thank God for the good old garden shed industries peppering the English countryside!

@TexasRiverRat31254

2 жыл бұрын

You do know that it came from a Viper, right? that's a Yankee car company. Used to be Dodge/Chrysler.

@SilverSurfer5150

2 жыл бұрын

@@TexasRiverRat31254 Yup! I know that. 😊 An American company it may be, but when I said motor I meant car, not the engine actually. There’s a lot more to the car than just that awesome engine though as I found out from watching the video.

What a brilliant way to start a Saturday! Magnificent beast. Years ago my then next door neighbour had a 411 which I believe was like the one used by Inspector Linley on the TV. A great old car....😁👍

Excellent more Bristol’s please!!!! Having moved to the US 14 years ago I have yet to see one in the flesh over here so I decided to buy a 95 Bristol Blenheim and import it from the UK. It’s the only one in the US but then again they only made 37 in total or thereabouts!

What a unique car. Keep uploading such videos, with the same passion and originality in your commentary.

I remember liking these when they were announced. Can't think I've ever seen a review so enjoyed watching that.

You didn't think they made any? Oh boy, you'd love the photos I have of 3 of the brutes lined up in Filton a few years ago :D - one in the same colour as this example . . . Tony Crook was also known to refuse to sell cars to customers he didn't think were suitable - a very curious character.

@richardharrold9736

2 жыл бұрын

James May was forcibly evicted from the showroom by Crook for the crime of knowing Jeremy Clarkson...

@jareknowak8712

2 жыл бұрын

@@richardharrold9736 Respect for Him for that!

@catscanswim6805

2 жыл бұрын

The story I remember is he once saw the director Michael Winner outside the shop looking through the window, so he got up and changed the sign on the door from Open to Closed.

@cafe405

2 жыл бұрын

@@jareknowak8712 it was for nothing more noble than Clarkson didn't like 1 of his cars.

@jareknowak8712

2 жыл бұрын

@@cafe405 Thats Your opinion. I know what Clarkson and company would do with this car in the media.

Great review , First Bristol review I have seen .👏❤️👍

Excellent video. Well done!!

Thanks for this. I’ve always been fascinated by the fighter. Definitely the kinda car you’d refer to as ‘the old girl’. It does make a filthy noise though.

This is a car that no one knows. This has a heart from a viper and gullwing doors. What more could you want.

Epic! I’ve always loved these. So cool.

Absolutely superb video of a fantastic car. More like this please!

Never had heard of a Bristol fighter before but I must say what an awesome car and I would be very proud to own one myself and plan to look into learning more about the Bristol way to go made a car lover's day!

13:20 There aren't any downforce numbers because it's made to balance to zero-down and zero up-force, eliminating lift but being very aerodynamic. At the time they said it was constructed like a wing. Yes please, more Bristols. The 407 Zagato V8 for rarity.

@The_Original_Geoff_B

2 жыл бұрын

Or the gorgeous little Arnolt-Bristol :)

@GadgetyMV

2 жыл бұрын

@@The_Original_Geoff_B Indeed!

Wow what a cool car!!!! Awesome video Jay!

Bristol ... a name that evokes a slightly other-wordly gentleman of noble blood, festooned with a magnificent handlebar moustache, called something like Cholmondley Wutherington-Smythe, 3rd Count of Chuntingthorpe, who shot down 'many' bally Hun in his Spitfire, don't you know. I love Bristol. Not the city, so much, and neither the more voluptuous Bristols, but these quirky automotive legends from a bygone era that hark back to that now faded and jaded Great British spirit of yesteryear that conquered half the earth. They somehow embody that intangible and indomitable phantom of our not-so-ancient antecedents. Kudos, James, for this delightful piece. Thank you.