Bristol 406

Bristol 406
Overview
Manufacturer	Bristol Cars (then Bristol Aeroplane Co.)
Production	1958–1961 174 units
Body and chassis
Class	2-door Sport saloon
Layout	FR layout
Powertrain
Engine	2,216 cc ohv straight-6
Transmission	4-speed overdrive manual[1]
Dimensions
Wheelbase	2,896 mm (114.0 in)[1]
Length	4,978 mm (196.0 in)[1]
Width	1,727 mm (68.0 in)[1]
Curb weight	1,365 kg (3,009 lb)[1] 1,092 kg (2,408 lb) (Zagato)[2]
Chronology
Predecessor	Bristol 404 and 405
Successor	Bristol 407

The Bristol 406 was a luxury car produced between 1958 and 1961 by British manufacturer Bristol Aeroplane Co. (whose car division later became Bristol Cars). It was the last Bristol to use the BMW-derived pushrod straight six engine that had powered all cars built by the company up to that point but was clearly inadequate to give the car performance comparable to that of newer engines emerging at the time.

Compared to the 405, the 406 saw several significant changes. The most important was that the six-cylinder engine itself was enlarged slightly in both bore and stroke to dimensions of 69 mm by 100 mm (2.71 inches by 3.94 inches). This gave an engine displacement of 2,216 cc (135 cubic inches) but the actual power of the engine was no greater than that of the 405. However, the torque was higher than the smaller engine, especially at low engine speeds. The 406 also featured Dunlop-built disc brakes on all four wheels (making it one of the first cars with four-wheel disc brakes)^[3] and a two-door saloon body Bristol were to stick with for a long period after adopting Chrysler V8 engines with the 407. The styling made the 406 more of a luxury car than a true sports saloon. It was, nevertheless, "a delight to drive".^[4]

The rear suspension of the 406 also did away with the outdated A-bracket of all previous Bristols for a more modern Watt's linkage. The 406 was the world's first production car to be thus equipped.^[2] However, the outdated front suspension of previous Bristols was retained and not updated until the following model with its more powerful drivetrain.

Two short-wheelbase 406s, known as 406Ss, were bodied by Zagato.^[5] In all, there were only six 406s with Zagato bodies.^[6] Rather than the 105 hp (78 kW) of the standard cars, these received a fettled engine with 115 hp (86 kW) and a stainless Abarth exhaust, which combined with the considerable lighter weight to make a spirited performer out of the 406.^[2]

Notes

1. "1958 Bristol 406". carfolio.com. Retrieved 2008-01-01.
2. Setright, L J K (January 1974). Fraser, Ian, ed. "And now, a quick look at Setright's Bristols". CAR Magazine (London: National Magazine Company): 76.
3. Setright, L. J. K. "Bristol: A Quiet Touch of Class", in Northey, Tom, ed. World of Automobiles (London: Phoebus, 1978), Volume 2, p.234.
4. Setright, p.232fn.
5. Setright, p.232fn & pp.234-5.
6. Setright, p.234fn.

External links

• Bristol Owners Club, Bristol Type 406 - 2.2 litre Saloon
• Buying a Six-Cylinder Bristol