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Sports Cars
Britain
1960s

 Bristol 410

From 1968 to 1969

Bristol 410 car history
Manufacturer Bristol Cars
Production 1968–1969 79 produced
Predecessor Bristol 409
Successor Bristol 411
Class Sport saloon
Layout FR layout

 

The Bristol 410 was the fourth series of Chrysler V8-engined models from British manufacturer Bristol Cars. It was the last Bristol to use the 5.2 litre (318 cubic-inch) engine originally found in the Bristol 407.

With the 410, Bristol aimed for a more aerodynamic approach than that found on their previous five series dating back to the 405. The styling improvements were relatively minor but every one of them was aimed to make for a more curved appearance. The most noteworthy change was that the front headlamps were fully faired into the wings of the car rather than protruding outwards as on previous models.

As in every Bristol saloon since the 404, a compartment accessed via a hinged panel between the front of the driver's door and the rear of the front wheel arch housed the battery, fuse panel, windscreen wiper motor and brake servos. A similar panel on the other side of the car housed the spare wheel and jack.Optional enlarged sump, lubricating system capacity 10.50 imp pt, 12.68 US pt, 6 1 and electrically controlled windows

Bristol 410 rear view 1968

There were also 15 inch wheels as against the 16 inch size found on previous Bristols, and the disc braking system dating back to the 406 was revised for the first time since then, with a greatly updated system of braking circuits being introduced.

Internally, Bristol, like Chrysler before them, by then had felt that the safety problems of push-button automatic transmission were too difficult to counter and thus they shifted to a more conventional lever mounted between the two front seats.

PERFORMANCE
ENGINE CAPACITY 317.97 cu in, 5,211 cu cm
FUEL CONSUMPTION 18 m/imp gal, 15 m/US gal, 15.7 1 x 100 km
MAX SPEED 130 mph, 209.3 km/h
max power (SAE): 250 hp at 4,400 rpm
max torque (SAE): 340 1b ft, 46.9 kg m at 2,800 rpm
max engine rpm: 5,100
specific power: 48 hp/l
acceleration: standing 1/4 mile 16.2 sec, 0—50 mph (0—80 km/h) 6.6 sec
speed in direct drive at 1,000 rpm: 25.5 mph, 41 km/h.
max speeds: 53 mph, 85.3 km/h in 1st gear; 90 mph, 144.9 km/h in 2nd gear; 130 mph, 209.3 km/h in 3rd gear; power-weight ratio: 14.1 lb/hp, 6.4 kg/hp

The 410 was the Bristol model featured in the Inspector Lynley television series.

 In Film and Television

Bristol 410 in The Inspector Lynley Mysteries TV program

Bristol 410 in The Inspector Lynley Mysteries TV program

Related items
Britain 1960s | Vehicles launched in 1968 | British Sports cars | Chrysler V8 | TV Cars | Sports Cars

Technical

Technical
  • Bristol 410 Technical details and specifications (1968-1969)

    ENGINE
    front, 4 stroke, Chrysler
    cylinders: 8, Vee-slanted at 900
    bore and stroke: 3.91 x 3.31 in, 99.3 x 84.1 mm
    engine capacity: 317.97 cu in, 5,211 cu cm
    compression ratio: 9
    cylinder block: cast iron
    cylinder head: cast iron
    crankshaft bearings: 5
    valves: 2 per cylinder, overhead, push-rods and rockers
    camshafts: 1, at centre of Vee
    lubrication: rotary pump, full now filter
    lubricating system capacity: 8.50 imp pt, 10.15 US pt, 4.8 1
    carburation: 1 Carter AFB 3131S downdraught 4-barrel carburettor
    fuel feed: mechanical pump
    cooling system: liquid, sealed circuit, 2 automatic thermostatically controlled fans


    TRANSMISSION
    driving wheels: rear
    gearbox: Torqueflite automatic, hydraulic torque convertor and planetary gears with 3 ratios + reverse, max ratio of convertor at stall 2, possible manual selection
    gearbox ratios: I 2.449, II 1.449, III 1, rev 2.199
    final drive: hypoid bevel; axle ratio: 3.070,

    CHASSIS
    box-type ladder frame
    front suspension: independent, wishbones, coil springs, anti-roll bar, telescopic dampers
    rear suspension: rigid axle, longitudinal torsion bars, trailing lower radius arms, upper torque arm, transverse Watt linkage, electrically adjustable telescopic dampers.

    STEERING
    recirculating ball, servo
    turns of steering wheel lock to lock: 3.25.

    BRAKES
    disc (front diameter 10.91 in, 277 mm, rear 10.60 in, 269 mm),
    independent front and rear circuits, vacuum servo; area rubbed by linings: total 420 sq in, 2,709 sq cm.

    ELECTRICAL EQUIPMENT
    voltage: 12 V
    battery: 64 Ah
    generator type: alternator, 430 W
    ignition distributor: Chrysler

    DIMENSIONS AND WEIGHT
    wheel base: 114 in, 2,896 mm
    front track: 54 in, 1,372 mm
    rear track: 55 in, 1,397 mm
    overall length: 193.50 in, 4,915 mm
    overall width: 68 in, 1,727 mm
    overall height: 59 in, 1,499 mm
    ground clearance: €.50 in, 165 mm
    dry weight: 3,528 1b, 1,600 kg
    distribution of weight: 52% front axle, 48% rear axle
    turning circle (between walls): 39.5 ft, 12 m
    © Motor car History

Service

Service
  • Bristol 410 Service instructions (1968-1969)

    fuel: 100 oct petrol
    engine sump oil: 6.50 imp pt, 7.82 US pt, 3.7 1, SAE IOW-40, change every 2,000 miles, 3,200 km
    gearbox oil: 15.50 imp pt, 18.60 US pt, 8.8 1, automatic transmission fluid A Suffix A, change every 30,000 miles, 48,300 km
    final drive oil: 3 imp pt, 3.59 US pt, 1.7 1, EP 90, change every 20,000 miles, 32,200 km
    greasing: every 20,000 miles, 32,200 km, 2 points
    cooling system capacity: 32.50 imp pt, 39.11 US Pt, 18.5 1.
    tappet clearances: inlet 0.010 in, 0.25 mm hot, exhaust 0.018 in, 0.46 mm hot
    valve timing: inlet opens 13° before tdc and closes 55° after bdc, exhaust opens 51° before bdc and closes 17° after tdc
    normal tyre pressure: front 32 psi, 2.2 atm, rear 32 psi, 2.2 atm.
    tyres: 6.00 x 16
    fuel tank capacity: 18 imp gal, 21.6 US gal, 82 1.
    carrying capacity: 706 1b, 320 kg

    © Motor car History

Manuals

Download: Workshop manuals Tech Guides exclusive to registered users.

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