Bristol 401 streamliner model

This hand made prototype streamliner (we presume from the early 1950s) has a same or similar roofline as the 401 – but the droop nose recalls Porsche’s 356 , Panhard’s Dyna, or the Citroen DS. The model is 11” long x 4 1/2 “ wide x 4” high (28 x 11.5 x 10.2).

The second dark green streamliner is almost identical to the cream version. Both are the same size.

In contrast, the later 405 prototype (see next post) is a massive 21 inches long. We cannot date these models accurately. Perhaps the remaining Archives (still in the patient hands of the Liquidators, pending litigation to establish ownership) will cast light on the date and cost of their manufacture in house. Nor have we so far unearthed photos of these particular models in the wind tunnel, though clearly they have been designed with extreme streamlining in mind.

Such a radically dropped nose is only possible by displacing Bristol’s tall, long stroke 2 litre engine to the rear. And this was indeed proposed in a 1950s patent application , based on the 401/3 bodyshell profile.

This meant that the clutch would be alongside the drivers knee, the gearlever would be cranked forward, and a long shaft would drive the fan in the nose. And Bristol’s trademark streamlined door pushbuttons are complemented by slinky wheel spats .

Bristol were to be well ahead of the streamlining game (in this country at least) with that of the 401 recorded at 0.32 (Jaguar’s later E-Type being 0.50, just saying…).

Tantalisingly, we have no exact date for this finely detailed concept model. Was this a 1940s prototype 401, or a 1950s development thereof to the next stage? More erudite Design historians may have better insight.

NB These early attempts at 3D scanning (LumaAI), doubtless riddled with operator error, gives a good overall image but renders the carefully applied paint finish artefactually poor.