BRISTOL Type 450. Coming from the makers of an expensive and finely engineered grand touring car, th

After an unsuccessful Grand Prix season, ERA Ltd sold the G-type — conveniently an offset single-seater readily convertible to a two-seater, to Bristol as a basis for the latter's new competition sports car.

The broad specification was retained, but the 15.2cm deep oval magnesium tubing used as side members by ERA was replaced by 11.4cm diameter steel tubes. Construction in general was sturdier, but the rather long-stroke, four-bearing 1971cc Bristol engine was in highly tuned F2 form, with dry sump lubrication, and gave 142bhp at 6000rpm.

The gearbox was built in unit with the final drive, and inboard rear drum brakes were employed. Front suspension was by wish-bones and single coil springs, with a coil-sprung de Dion rear end, and unusual alloy detachable-rim wheels were fitted. Bizarre closed streamlined bodywork, embodying a steeply inclined screen, twin 1954 Le Mans car.

stabilising fins on the tail, and curved plastic side windows, was somewhat hastily developed in the Bristol wind tunnel in time for the 1953 Le Mans race, where two 450s made their debut. They proved fast but brittle, both breaking connecting rods.

Quickly recovering, the team reappeared a fortnight later in the Reims 12-hour race, where one car took first place in the 2-litre class at 149 -14kph (92-67mph).

The Bristol aerodynamicists then had time to refine the shape of the 450, which was much improved about the nose, before the team appeared at Montlhery for some record breaking.

Six new 2-litre class records were set, from 200 miles (322km) to six hours, at speeds of up to 202 -57kph (125-87mph). Le Mans in 1954 saw the Bristols further cleaned up, their engines now with new 12-port cylinder heads contributing to the 155bhp, which took them to a triumphant one-two-three class victory.

For the 1955 24-hour race the closed body was scrapped in favour of an open roadster, somewhat resembling a D-type Jaguar with prominent head-fairing-cum-tail fin. In this form the 450s proved even faster, a trio repeating their 1954 one-two-three class win. On that high note, the sports car racing career of the Bristol marque was concluded.

Specification Engine: straight-six; 66 x 96mm, 1971cc; pushrod ohv; three Solex twin-choke carburettors; 142bhp at 6000rpm, rising to 155bhp. Gearbox: four-speed manual transaxle. Chassis: tubular side members; front suspension independent by wishbones, coil springs and dampers; rear suspension by de Dion axle, coil springs and dampers; four-wheel drum brakes (inboard at rear). Dimensions: wheelbase 248cm/97in; front track 130cm/51in; rear track 134cm/52in.