Company overview
Bristol Cars was a British manufacturer of hand-built luxury cars. It originated from the car division of the Bristol Aeroplane Company after World War II and became an independent entity. Production began in 1945, initially through a joint venture with AFN Ltd and BMW. Early models were based on pre-war BMW designs, including the 400, 401, and 402. From 1961, the company transitioned to Chrysler V8 engines. Bristol Cars operated as a private company from 1967, producing limited numbers of vehicles to maintain quality. In 1969, George White sold a majority stake, and the company became part of British Aerospace. In 2011, Bristol Cars entered administration following a period of decline and liquidation in 2020. In 2021, intellectual property rights were acquired by Bristol Fighter Limited, with plans for a revival under Jason Wharton, focusing on contemporary coachbuilding and the production of classic models.
