1979 Bristol 412 S2

Description

Extremely rare Zagato-bodied Bristol Targa top V8; recently recommissioned by Bristol at a cost of over £16,000; interesting history; be different and get yourself noticed!

A natural rival to the Rolls-Royce Corniche, the Bristol 412 came out in 1975 with angular Targa-top styling by Zagato. Initially fitted with a 6.2 Chrysler V8, this was replaced by a 5.9 V8 for the Series 2 model from 1978, the engine set well back for optimum handling and good for a top speed of 140mph. It even had cruise control which was quite remarkable for a car of that era. Costing an absolute fortune when new (at least three times the price of a Jaguar XJ12), ownership was restricted to a privileged few.

Dating from September 1979, this 412 Series 2 was originally registered JLD 705V and was first owned by the Chairman of luxury car distribution group, Inchcape of London. It comes with a vast and interesting history file from new showing regular maintenance by Bristol Cars throughout its life, with occasional visits to marque specialists Spencer Lane-Jones.

In 1993 when it had covered 89,400 miles and was painted silver with the registration number UDV 909, it was inspected by Andrew Blow who gave it a very positive report stating that it was “one of the finest of its type that our brokerage has ever seen”. That same year it was also tested by Martin Buckley for Classic & Sportscar magazine, again receiving high praise: “difficult to fault… eats up the straights with jet-liner smoothness”. Treated to a bare metal repaint in its current vibrant red a few years ago, it has now covered 115,875 miles.

Our vendor acquired the car via Brightwells in 2019 at which point it had been on static display at a Stratstone dealership for the previous five years. He immediately sent it to Bristol Cars in Windlesham for a thorough recommissioning. This took six months and cost over £12,000 and included a full brake system overhaul, work to the steering and suspension, carburettor overhaul, dashboard polished to remove cracks, front seats re-covered, new carpets plus much else besides, all detailed in copious invoices on file.

Unfortunately Bristol Cars then went into receivership in March 2020 and the vendor had to recover the car from the liquidators on payment of an additional fee of £4,500 for works not yet invoiced – ouch! On the plus side, the next owner can boast that this 412 is one of the very last cars ever to be serviced by the Bristol factory. Although it no longer needs one, it passed an MOT in July 2022 with just a couple of minor advisories (slight oil leak; play in steering column top bearing) and it has been only lightly used since.

As you can see in the photos, the car looks most attractive and has been starting promptly and running well as we have moved it around on site, with good 60psi oil pressure, although the vendor does advise that it runs lumpily until it warms up because the choke is not working correctly. The history file is fascinating and contains much information about the model, including period road tests and sales brochures. A car cover is also stored in the boot.

Believed to be one of only around 80 made, this well-historied 412 will turn heads wherever it goes and now needs an enthusiastic new owner who can give it the more regular exercise that it deserves.

For more information contact James on 07970 309907 or email james.dennison@brightwells.com