Brigand and Britannia

When the Brigand and Britannia were revealed in October 1982 once again the versions offered represented within their category a choice of performance or economy. Body units comprising the roof, doors, front and rear screens are reported to be common with the 603 s2. Though they are mounted on the same tried and crash test approved chassis, [it] is type coded 603 s3. The engine package of the two cars is different.

The Brigand is powered with a turbocharged version of the 360 cu.in./5,899 c.c. engine with the Rotomaster unit and the 440 cu.in. Torqueflite 3 speed automatic transmission, and the heavier Beaufighter style prop shaft with larger than standard universal joints to transmit the load. It is said that this variant has approximately 30% more power than the Britannia.

The Britannia is powered by a normally aspirated 360 cu.in./5,899 c.c. engine with the Carter four barrel carburetter, and the Torqueflite 3 speed auto. transmission.

• Single compound rectangular headlights were fitted; more complex units were also installed. N.B. There is an illustration in Charles Oxley's latest book on page 279 of a Britannia, and on page 281 of a Brigand, both with a larger combined headlamp, dipped headlamp and auxiliary driving lamp; both cars have a narrower grille. This may have been an experimental set up or a more recent refinement. The Britannia example illustrated above in an early publicity shot is possibly one of the prototypes. It has the smaller light units fitted.
• Bonnet line is flatter and lower at the front.
• Radiator grille is shallower but wider than the 603 S2.
• Additional venting is provided below the bumper line into the sump area.
• In order to achieve better sight lines at the front quarters, the wing edges have a raised crease — a feature of the VDP drophead of 1949, of the Arnolt in 1956, and later of the 411 Prototype in 1969.
• Bumpers are changed to the Beaufighter type, with stainless steel trims, incorporating the trafficators at the front. Late versions have all black neoprene inserts in place of stainless steel.
• Ribbed cast alloy wheels are fitted as standard on the Brigand. These were available as an optional extra on the Britannia, supplied with pressed steel wheels as standard.
• Tyres were changed from the ‘S2’ full section to the lower profile Avon Turbospeed ACR 18 type, size 215/70VR 15
• Brigand variant only has a bulge on the rear of the bonnet to clear the Rotomaster Turbocharger.
• Remotely adjustable door mirrors are fitted as standard.
• The gearshift lever is straight.

The items listed above are not exhaustive because the number of owners who have so far joined the Bristol Owners' Club and have provided detailed information is small. Any additional information or corrections will be gratefully received. These cars according to Autocar in September 93 have been withdrawn from production in favour of a new model, the Blenheim.

Britannia & Brigand Special or Non Standard Body cars

Surprising as it may seem, one non standard body has already been reported and there are thought to be others, though the term non standard is very loosely applied as it is understood that these conversions were executed by the company. The identified example is chassis 8534113 and is reported to be fitted with a Brigand front end. Most unusual because the car is a Britannia!

Brigand & Britannia Chassis List

This Chassis List, withheld in issue 1.10 can now be included on the basis that these cars are reported no longer in production. Since this is the second youngest generation of Bristol built cars there are few recorded, so I have expanded the group of chassis numbers we have by filling in the assumed numbers for the models in the gaps, though naturally it is uncertain whether particular chassis are Brigand or Britannia versions which are left with the by now familiar ‘?’.

Later Brigand. Note the bumper trim and the larger compound lamp units producing a smaller grille. The bonnet is not fully closed in this picture but it does illustrate the bulge necessary to clear the Rotomaster turbo charger.