Type 408

The advent of the 408 body finally laid to rest the remaining vestiges of the familiar frontal air scoop grille.

• The car has a changed more rectangular appearance fronted by much flatter bonnet behind a very rigid grille incorporating two extra headlamps.
• The roof line was also squared up above the cantrails and is also flatter than the 407, making the car look longer and lower, although it is actually shorter overall.
• The low look is emphasised by an extra body side moulding and kick plates at the lower door edge level.
• The Pegasus badges are moved up to the side moulding level.
• Armstrong `Selectaride' shock absorbers were introduced to the rear suspension controlled from the dash by a rotary dial on the fascia.
• The internal ventilation ducts are also much larger than those of the 407.
• The standard engine is 313 cu.in. or capacity of 5,130c.c.

408 Mark 2

Uniquely there was a second version actually called the ‘Mark 2’ by the company, a term never used previously by Bristol in connection with car types and never since! The term had previously only been applied to certain groups of engine products, e.g. the BS series of sports engines, such as BS1 Mk2 engine which was fitted as a standard to the Arnolt-Bristol.

• The 408 Mk2 was fitted with a newer engine. The 318 cu.in. or 5,211c.c. on which the torque converter/gearbox supplied was some 90 lbs. lighter in weight due to the body being in aluminium alloy instead of cast steel.
• Along with this system a hold lock lever was introduced to lock the transmission in the chosen ratio, presumably to provide engine braking on long descents, or to lock the transmission when parking.
• The gear actuating buttons are slightly different to the first type, being more rectangular in appearance.

You should note that the engine serial number prefix changed at the onset of the newer model.

Sub-contracted bodywork

The body panels for the production series were manufactured on body bucks and mated to the chassis outwith the factory, by Park Royal Vehicles Ltd of Acton.

Pictured here at a club section gathering at Mellerstain House in the Scottish borders in June 88 is a fine example of the 408. This car won the Motor Show promoters' coachwork award when it was displayed on the Bristol company stand in 1963.