It is hoped you find this document useful, informative and worth the effort taken. Unfortunately it is most unlikely that there will be a similar percentage increase of inclusions in any future collections of chassis lists, for I am sure we are presently at a pivotal point. In the same vein I can not envisage that there will be another club production on this scale, unless there is generally released, or there becomes available to the Owners' Club, factual information about the actual production numbers and the identities of all of the many special models commissioned by the Company, in the pursuit of the development of the Bristol car.
Corrosion, market value and time are against the survival of early cars not already running or under restoration. By the next millennium the majority of the six cylinder cars will be nearing in age their half century. In truth nearly all of the 400s and some of the 401s will have their 50th birthdays before the year 2000.
The marque should have long ago established its rightful place in 20th century British motoring history. It is clearly a matter of concern to the Club, and to Bristol enthusiasts throughout the world, that its mere existence is a fact too often ignored.
Since the committee in their preface have seen fit to resort to verse, I would refer to the words of another Bard, who penned the following:
But pleasures are like poppies spread, You seize the flower, its bloom is shed; Or like the snowfall in the river, A moment white — then melts forever; Or like the Borealis race, That flit ere you can point their place: Or like the rainbow's lovely form, Evanishing amid the storm."
from Tam O'Shanter by Robert Burns
Naturally, as a club registrar, I hope that unlike the snowfall the Bristol Car Company's archives are to be preserved for all time, and that such information might eventually be made accessible via an appropriate custodian.
I have every confidence that this is the intention of the Chairman of Bristol Cars, our Club Patron, who is not unaware of the importance of the subject. When I last raised this issue with Anthony Crook, he told me that it is a time absorbing problem to which he has given, and is giving, a great deal of thought.
It has always been the intention of the Owners' Club to present the most accurate picture possible. I trust that this document once more advances that aim.