Geoff Dowdle and his list of production differences in Bristol 400s
Australian based Geoff Dowdle has been a fan of the 400 for many years now and apart from rebuilding them and providing huge amounts of useful information elsewhere on this site, has accumulated 800 photos of the 400 odd that were built so that he can study all the small changes that took place during the period of their production. The picture below show cars that he's been unable to trace and that he'd appreciate any information on if you have have it.

Geoff would also be delighted to hear from anyone who has a 400 and who's prepared to send photos including ones showing the rear window, boot lid, wheels, front and rear trim and the engine compartment . He's also like the chassis number and registration numbers too if possible.

He's prepared a brief explanation of the changes that occurred over the years and would be interested to hear from anyone who can add to it or correct it.
Bristol 400 Production Differences.
(Mainly to Australian delivered cars.)

Prototypes (2 Saloons & 2 Dropheads)
Unique Trim style, tubular bumpers, Spare wheel in boot, high cut rear guards and raised boot floor . 7 louvres in inner front guards, fixed rear window of saloons,

First Series Production Late 1947 – early 1948
From Car # 101 to approx Car#202

Mainly Spare wheel in Boot Lid and pressed steel bumpers and over riders with valance plates for Aust. delivered cars. Some show evidence of conversion from spare wheel in boot to spare wheel on boot lid, its unknown whether this was done in production or later in Australia. (UK delivered cars mostly have spare wheel in boot, raised boot floor & top hinged boot lid, tubular bumpers and 7in headlights, Lucas 700).
Early Road wheels 16 x 3.5 in, deep dimpled ventilation holes and pin fixing (some with blade fixing) for hubcaps.
85 (single twin throat Solex) or 85A engines (3 SU’s)
Early Front Windscreen rubber
Fixed rear window
Trim Style #1. Full Leather Seats, plain style door trims with large Pockets, rear ashtrays in forward face of rear armrest.
Mostly Split Squab in rear seat.
7 large Louvres in front inner guards & narrow ducting to radiator
Round Escutcheons on door handles.
Early Regulator Lucas RF91
Bristol rear shockers
20mm Torsion bars
Plain bonnet handles
Knurled clutch pedal adjuster
Handbrake pawl was single tooth
Bonnet Vents fitted to some very early cars eg Chassis 117 & Prototype 001

Late First Series Production 1948
from approx Car#203 to about Car# 300

Similar spec to First series except ….
Trim Style #2. Material- Leather and Cloth (some with all Leather), with small pocket in door trim, & full width squab in rear seat. Possibly some with Split Squab in rear seat.
Late windscreen rubber
Lucas 770 flat lense Headlights fitted to some cars UK delivered.


Second Series Production 1949
From approx Car# 300 to approx Car # 466

Similar spec to late First series except…
Spare Wheel in boot lid, most with opening rear window
Trim Style #3. Material all leather with small pocket in door trim
85A engines with 3 SU carbs.
Later Regulator Lucas RF95/2
Oval Escutcheons on door handles.
Multi Louvered front inner guards with wide ducting to radiator.
Some fitted with 4 blinds
Some have Glove box lid that overlap hole in dash.
Ribbed bonnet handles
Handbrake Pawl was a two tooth unit
Some with late Road wheels (with 401type centres), but these could have been retro fitted
Lucas 770 flat lense Headlights fitted to some UK delivered cars.


Late Second Series Production From approx Car# 467 to car # 520
(last known 400 produced by car#) mainly 1950- early 1951

Similar to Second Series except …
Trim Style #4. Material all Leather with small pockets in door trim. Short rear seat squab with recessed rear arm rests. Rear ashtrays above armrests
Some fitted with telescopic rear Shock absorbers
Late Road wheels 16 x 3.5 in with 401 type centres.
Recess in forward panel of boot wall for extra clearance of handbrake compensating lever on rear axle.
Some steering wheels use knurled nut for screw fixing to steering column instead of over centre crescent shaped lever.
Mostly fitted with 85A engine, very few with 85B(sports cam) or 85C (3 Solex)
Some fitted with 22mm Torsion Bars, possibly retro fitted (same as 401)
Some fitted with 401 type clutch pedal adjuster.
Majority fitted with 7 in Headlights (Lucas 700)
Approx. last 20 cars had firewall constructed with the use of solid rivets.
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The above are observations of mainly Australian delivered cars and photos of UK delivered cars.
Some are assumptions !!!

Most fitted with Radiomobile RM100 radio
Some in UK fitted with optional Clayton heater
Some have cast iron nose cones on Starter Motors, other alloy

Contact Geoff Dowdle (61) 2 9873 2911 or geoff.dowdle@gmail.com for any additions or alterations