Another glowing Fighter review - Evo November 2008

This month's Evo sees a great review of the Bristol Fighter by Richard Porter. The Evo 10th Anniverdary edition doesn't have all its articles online yet, but is still in he shops to purchase (it has the Bugati Veyron on he cover).

Bristol Fighter in Top Gear

Last month saw a drive of the Bristol Fighter published in Top Gear magazine and the same review has now found its way onto the Top Gear website - click here to take a look.

The old girl back in action!

It has been over six months since my 411 was last on the road; a cooling issue when a pipe split suddenly turned into Winter. The poor girl has been sat on my drive looking sorry for herself ever since.

However, a couple of weekends ago my father came down and we made light of a job which needed at least two pairs of hands -- getting a new pipe fitted to the block in a place that is quite hard to get to. Fix performed we even got her started quite easily too -- very impressive considering the lay up. I needed a new battery though, although this was a fairly painless acquisition as Halfords actually list Bristol in their in-store fitment guides.

Today I have been for a quick spin to make sure everythings works -- it does! -- and the next thing to do is call Brian Marelli at Bristol Car Services and get her booked in for a service and to get an MoT sorted. This will also require sorting a few niggles: a lazy speedo and non-functioning rev counter, plus an overhaul of the rear brakes which are next to useless.

Since my last report I have also treated the old girl to an AutoPyjama Auto-Storm cover from PermaBag. It is intended for outside use so is hardwearing and waterproof. It is also designed to breath so can be put over a car that has been left wet apparently -- I nearly had to test this today! I have also specified the optional straps to protect it in strong winds; and the optional steel belt and lock to protect it from the less desirable of today's society. I'll be reporting how it fares.

The only other thing to report is that I have a faulty switch for the driver's window. Unfortunately I am led to believe these are no longer made, so I;m facing having to have this one stripped and reconditioned. If anyone knows anyone offering this service I'd love to hear from you -- e-mail address at the bottom.

Too many balls...

Oh I know, I have been bad at this blogging business. Actually, that isn't true - it's not that I am bad keeping the blog updated, but that there is no update to post. My poor 411 is still on the drive, still without coolant and, ergo, still off the road.

Sadly, since this all started my MoT has expired and now the job is bigger. The good news is that my father is due down two weeks after Easter for us to perform the two tasks of getting it roadworthy and enjoying father/son bonding. Ah...

Have I lost interest in the old girl? Not a bit of it. I have, as usual, taken on just a little more than I can chew with a Victorian house, 35 year old car and two businesses. For those that are interested in where most of my time goes, take a look at WeCanDo.BIZ - an offer will be posted to all blog readers of how to subscribe to the top membership level for nowt in due course. Keep this page bookmarked!

Off-road Bristol!

No, not a new SUV, but news (belatedly!) that my 411 has been off the road for some weeks over the last of the summer due to a perished hose emptying the system of coolant! Fortunately I managed to stop before too much harm was done, in spite of it happening on a stretch of motorway. However, some weeks have passed since the occasion as I have searched for time and the parts to fix the problem.

In short, the mount of the lower pipe from the radiator to the engine block, where it meets the block, had started to give in. There had been some signs of impending doom as on a few occasions I had found the car releasing steam in spite of the fact that the temperature guage, which I consider reliable, had not found its way into the danger zone. I kept topping the car up though and the problem remained intermittent.

Until, that is, one morning whilst returning to Windsor from Marlow when slowing down in heavy traffic gave the steam opportunity to engulf the front of the car! I stopped soon after.

My thanks go to those on the Bristol Enthusiasts Email Forum who offered advice on locating replacement hoses. After spotting that the upper hose had different diameter ends, I decided to visit some motor factors for a match rather than risk a bad fit from something ordered over the net. Problem is, most factors hold many pieces of hose and seemed unable to produce an obvious match easily (this may be different if you found one that stocked original Mopar parts, but they are few and far between in Blighty). So I gave Mr Morelli at Bristol Car Services a call and he supplied a silicone Blenheim hose for a reasonable £45. It is a different length - the Blenheim looks to have the radiator mounted closer to the engine, as the piece is shorter - but this doesn't matter as I'll just hack it and use either end on the metal tube that bridges the two rubber hoses on the 411. Job done! Or at least it will be if the rain stops for Sunday.

I know I have been remiss with updates, but as soon as the car gets back on the road I'll post more details, including all costs to date which I have to say are pretty unsignificant (hose, oil and a new radio aerial!).

Facebook group

Facebook (http://www.facebook.com/) seems to be mainly a hang out for teenagers, but if you can avoid that aspect it's also a way to get back in touch and stay in touch with old friends. Newly addicted, I have added a group called "We love Bristol Cars" for those of us who'd like a fix when on Facebook. Owners and fans welcomed. Check it out!

New pictures of my car

I have been meaning for some time to post some new pictures of my Bristol, but never seem to find the time to get my camera out due to one thing or another. Well would you believe it? Some nice chaps from NCP, employed under contract to Reading City Council, have done a splendid job for me for the reasonable sum of £30 - and they let me park in Reading all evening for free to boot. I would recommend their services, especially if you have business in the area and can't find a car park.