The original, unique 404/5 /Bullet buck now out of quarantine and assembled in Bristol Museum. The Bristol Owners Heritage Trust outbid some stiff competition to get this one, as it has the minor factory mods fitted to the wings to make another Bullet. Thanks to the generous individuals, and BODA , BOCA and BRONZ clubs who dug deep into their pockets to make this possible.
The Museum would love more body panels to display with or above the exhibit. Anything, however patinated and pre loved, is welcome! Please contact Stefan Cembrowicz or Peter Campbell.
On your next store tour at Bristol Museum, you’ll notice that the Bristol bucks have finally been unveiled – after five years in storage following their acquisition by the museum service, shortly after the liquidation of Bristol Cars.
Conservators tell me they had to be wrapped for five years as a precaution, to prevent any risk of pest infestation and ensure no contamination of the store.
Some key facts you might find useful for your tours:
- These are the original and only bucks, made of mahogany, used to shape the aluminium body panels for the Bristol 404 and 405 – making them significant objects in the company’s history.
They were used to build
- 52 Bristol 404s (1953-55)
- Around 308 Bristol 405s (1955-60) – most sources list 265 four-door saloons and 43 two-door drophead coupés (‘dropheads’).
- So if you own a 404/405 the front panels and bonnet were most likely fashioned on this buck!
As a final note –
On the front buck, you’ll see an original 405 bonnet in its unrestored state, showing the different paint layers. It was kindly donated by Stefan Cembrowicz, chair of the Bristol Owners’ Heritage Trust. The bonnet came from a random 405, but (true to Bristol engineering) it fits perfectly onto the buck, slotting neatly into the bonnet aperture. No surprise, given the company’s roots in aircraft design and precision craftsmanship. I hope you enjoy seeing them ‘in the flesh’ – I think they look spectacular.
(Many thanks to Lee Hutchinson from Bristol Museums for sending us with the photos and the text following the photos.)
Stefan Cembrowicz
Bristol Owners Heritage Trust 