1981 Bristol 603

Bristol 603 (Saloon), 1976-1982

The Bristol 603 was in production from 1976-1982. Styled in house by Dudley Hobbs, it is a front-engine, rear wheel drive saloon range seating four adults.

It was developed as a replacement for Bristol's 411 - a design based on the 406 of the late 1950s, and one well past its sell by date by 1975. The new design was intended to be both more practical and easier to make, offering greater space courtesy of its flatter panelwork without occupying a larger footprint. That flatter panelwork also saved time during production of the handmade panels, as no complex curvatures were necessary. At launch there were two models available, the 603E and 603S. The 603S was a standard replacement for the 411 complete with 5.9 litre V8 engine and Bentley-rivalling £19,661 price tag. For £301 less, though, Bristol would sell you an environmentally friendly alternative. The 603E was an economy model - though the term is always relative. Instead of a 5.9 litre engine, it had a 5.2 litre V8 which could just about reach 20mpg if driven gently - never let it be said that Bristol had ignored the 1973 fuel crisis. It should however be noted that both models were a third more expensive than the Zagato-bodied 412 convertible, which only ever came with the 5.9 litre unit. Buyers were not encouraged by the 603E, and just seven were sold.

From 1978 there was a new Series 2 603, which came with new alloy wheels and which came solely in 5.9 litre form. This model would continue to 1982, when the Britannia - technically a third generation 603 under a different name - would be launched.

The Bristol 411, 412 and Britannia are all excellent alternatives for the buyer for whom nothing but a Bristol would suffice - and let's face it, very few people consider a Bristol unless they are wedded to the idea of a craftsman-built personal car. A considerable cost saving new would have got you into an Aston Martin V8, but those roles are reversed today. A Bentley T1 simply doesn't have the same gravitas, though if you could have afforded a Rolls-Royce Camargue it might have made an interesting alternative. Dare we suggest that in 21st century Britain, buyers of the Bristol 603 might also consider a Maserati Biturbo?