The short-wheelbase 404 'businessman's express', the four-door 405 and the 2.2-litre 406 — the last of the BMW-derived six-cylinder Bristols.
The cars that established Bristol as a maker of individual, hand-built gentleman's expresses. The short-wheelbase 404 coupé of 1953 was a rare and costly halo model, with barely 50 made, and showed the marque moving to its own styling after the BMW-influenced early cars.
The 405 that joined it in 1954 became the only four-door saloon Bristol ever built, offered alongside a small run of Abbott-bodied dropheads, with total 405 production of around 300. The 406 then closed Bristol's six-cylinder chapter later in the decade, before the switch to Chrysler V8 power; all three were made in tiny numbers to coachbuilt standards.
The high-water mark of Bristol's six-cylinder era, with the scarce 404 coupé leading values and the practical 405 and 406 the more attainable route in.
| Variant | Years | Production | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 404 | 1953–1955 | 52 built | Short-wheelbase (8 ft) two-door coupé; tuned 2.0-litre '100C' six up to ~125 hp; the rare, most sought of the group. |
| 405 | 1954–1958 | 308 built (265 four-door saloons; 43 Abbott dropheads) | The only four-door Bristol; ~105 hp; Abbott drophead commands a premium over the saloon. |
| 406 | 1958–1961 | Not published | The last six-cylinder Bristol; 2,216 cc six, ~105 hp; a handful wore rare Zagato coachwork. |
Authenticate stamped chassis and engine numbers against factory or club records. For the 404-406 specifically, confirm variant identity, authenticate 404 short-wheelbase specification, distinguish 405 four-door saloons from Abbott dropheads and authenticate any Zagato-bodied 406.
Confirm body originality, panel identity and restoration standard against a Bristol specialist.
Confirm continuous service history and any rebuild history for the engine, transmission and driveline against a marque specialist.
Restoration standard, originality of body and driveline, and any documented ownership record are the main value drivers.
| Date | Auction | Car | Mileage | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025-09-06 | Bonhams The Beaulieu Sale, Lot 425 | 1955 Bristol 405 | — | £20,700 Sold |
| 2024-09-07 | Bonhams Goodwood Revival, Lot 114 | 1956 Bristol 405 | — | £32,200 Sold |
The high-water mark of Bristol's six-cylinder era; the scarce 404 coupé is the connoisseur's pick and leads values, while the practical 405 and final 406 remain more attainable.
Our view, not advice. This section is Car Collector International's editorial judgement on where this model sits in the collector market, based on the production, specification and market data set out in this guide. It is not a recommendation to buy or sell and it is not investment advice. Values can fall as well as rise.
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The valuation figures in this guide are for research purposes only and do not constitute financial or investment advice. See our full disclaimer.
