Bristol 409

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Bristol 409

Manufacturer	Bristol Cars
Production	1965–1967 74 units
Predecessor	Bristol 408
Successor	Bristol 410
Class	Sports sedan
Layout	FR layout
Engine(s)	5211 cc V-8
Transmission(s)	3 speed automatic
Wheelbase	114 in (2896 mm) ^[1]
Length	193.5 in (4915 mm)
Width	68 in (1727 mm)
Height	60 in (1524 mm)
Curb weight	3584 lb (1626 kg)
Fuel capacity	18 imp gal (82 L/22 US gal)

The Bristol 409 was the third series of cars from British manufacturer Bristol Cars powered by Chrysler V8 engines. It was actually introduced before the older Bristol 408 went out of production and only gradually supplanted that model after a year.

There were a number of major changes to the chassis of the 409 compared to earlier Bristols. The springs were much softer than of the 408 or 407, so that the ride quality was much better. Following on from Chrysler's pioneering work in the early 1960s, Bristol fitted an alternating current alternator in place of the traditional direct current dynamo, which had proven difficult to drive at high engine speeds. Also a follow-up to previous work on the 408 was an improved safety lever to prevent anyone from putting the automatic transmission in gear accidentally. There was also an altered differential fitted with a slightly higher (i.e. numerically lower) ratio.

The styling was almost unchanged from the 408, though the radiator grille was now altered into a trapezoidal shape rather than the precise rectangle of the 408.

The engine was also altered slightly — remaining of 5,211 cubic centimetres or 318 CID (5.2 L) but providing slightly increased power and torque. The last half or so examples of the 409 became the first Bristols to be fitted with power steering. The subsequent Bristol 410, famously driven by Paul Lewis, also featured power steering but with a more streamlined design.