Produced between 1953 and 1955, the Bristol 403 was a sophisticated British sports saloon, with only 287 examples ever built. It featured streamlined aluminium coachwork developed in the Bristol Aeroplane Company’s wind tunnel and a Milan-designed superlight frame. Power came from a two-litre, six-cylinder engine derived from the pre-war BMW 328 sports/racing car.
Innovative features included internally released bonnet, boot, and fuel filler caps to reduce wind resistance, push-button door openers, a dashboard crash protection crumple zone, and an anti-roll bar; highlighting the car’s forward-thinking design.
Factory records show this vehicle was exported to Commonwealth Motors Australia in April 1955. Acquired by its current owner in 1994 as a rolling chassis with parts, it underwent a lengthy restoration journey, initiated by the owner and completed by specialist craftsmen. The car has been beautifully restored to original specifications, colours, and materials, with two tasteful deviations: a new Tasmanian Huon Pine dashboard to replace the irreparable original, and the addition of power steering for enhanced drivability.
