Setright here is standing by a Bristol 411, a GT with a 6.2-liter Chrysler V8 produced between 1969 and 1976:

Photo Credit: osneyconsulting/Flickr, ncay/Flickr

There are road tests of cars and then there are road tests of Bristol cars. The latter are without exception exercises in pleading, begging and the abuse of op-ed columns with the single, inevitable conclusion of no press car. Bristol owner Tony Crook likes to keep it that way, which is perhaps understandable when you consider that the few people who do manage to gain fleeting access to Bristols via owners willing to face Crook’s subsequent wrath usually find that the cars are puzzling examples of shoddy construction sold for Lamborghini prices.

So it came as quite a shock to my friend Zsolt Csikós—road test editor of Hungarian car site Totalcar—that a call to Bristol’s headquarters resulted in Tony Crook himself on the line and the promise of a ride. This lovable geek who often shares Eeyore’s outlook on life managed what even Jeremy Clarkson couldn’t manage: he found himself behind the wheel of a brand-new Bristol. A Bristol Fighter at that, powered by America’s great offering at the altars of displacement: the Viper engine.

Although Bristol Cars is a post-WW2 spinoff of the Bristol Aeroplane Company, they eschew an important engineering principle which crossed over from the world of aviation to car construction: Bristol cars are neither unibodies nor monocoques but bodies over frames, like pickup trucks. It is perhaps fitting then that the Fighter’s V10 engine was originally a Chrysler truck engine. In the Fighter, the all-aluminum block is equipped with Bristol’s own cylinder head and exhaust system, good for 558 HP. Should the latter be found inadequate, turbochargers are available to boost output to beyond a thousand horsepower, coupled with similar amounts of torque.

Of course this being Bristol, the test drive was not a week of freeform excursion on B-roads but a leisurely crawl through London traffic. I shall defer to the author at this point, translated from the Hungarian:

What does it feel like? I gave the throttle no more than a percent of go, save for my rare instances of hoonage when I gave it two percent. It doesn’t really make a difference as 558 HP is so much power that a heartier sneeze will drop you across half of Europe. Why would anyone possibly need the 1026 HP of the turbocharged version? One cannot think of anything other than the potential for great pub tales.

The clutch is remarkably light, not Diablo-heavy at all, and the same is true of the steering. Even though the Fighter could certainly use more upper-class destinations, it is perfectly drivable on the side streets around Soho. The gearshift is American in feel, precision not its strongest asset, but it requires a steady and firm grip for operation. And even if I never exceeded 40 MPH in the Fighter, it was a wonderful experience. The interior, the engine with its endless reserves of power, the execution and the sea of dials combine to make even a crawling Bristol a memorable driving experience.

Bristol is a beautiful, rugged, romantic theory on four wheels. The same goes for the Fighter, with more power and a more professional feel. Take it as it is. If you can.

So there you have it. If you’re no fan of computer displays and like your cars with copious amounts of tech-ed spirit and the charms and personality of handmade construction, your new ride is ready. All you need now is upwards of $370,000—and catching Tony Crook in a good mood. Just make sure you don’t namedrop Jeremy Clarkson.

Photo Credit: Zsolt Csikós/Totalcar

The Triumph Mayflower ad, for a car James May condemns as the Ugliest Vehicle Ever Made, is especially puzzling. Did Triumph think that associating their products with some hookwormy clod pounding on a wagon wheel was a good idea?

Yesterday, 68% of you drew the conclusion that the questionably-aged Figaro was Nice Price worthy. Today let's look at an ad that's a little less sketchy.

Stan Arnolt was a Chicago-based industrialist who made a lot of scratch selling lubricants and parts to the military during WWII. He gained the sobriquet "Wacky" after a 1938 voyage across roiling lake Michigan, in an attempt to prove the durability of his newly designed Sea-Mite inboard boat motor, and the name stuck with him from then on.

In addition to his industrial business, Arnolt designed and raced sports cars. This passion led him to be one of the first importers of the MG brand to America, and it was on a trip to Europe that he spotted a pretty, MGTD-based coupe on the Bertone stand at the 1952 Turin Auto Salon. Wacky, on the spot, ordered 100 of the cars for sale in the U.S., which nearly caused Nuccio Bertone to have a heart attack when he realized he'd have to figure out how to build that many. The relationship between Arnolt and Bertone carried through the next 7 years and three additional models.

One of those models is the object of today's consideration- a 1956 Arnolt Bristol roadster. This car represents what people used to consider as a hybrid- British chassis and running gear, Italian styling and construction, and American money and consignment. Based on the Bristol 404 chassis, and powered by their BMW-based 1971cc straight six, the cars received an aerodynamic body designed by Franco Scaglione, who would go on to design the Alfa Romeo B.A.T. series of cars. The Arnolt Bristol was a true roadster with side curtains and a rudimentary top being among the optional fittings, along with more sporting equipment like 11" Alfins and a front anti-sway bar. Wacky backed up the car's sporting pretensions by racing it at Sebring in 1955, nailing the top-3 positions in the 2-litre class.

Being more expensive than the Corvette blunted sales, and the Arnolt Bristol ended production in 1959 after only 147 cars were constructed. A fire in Wacky's Chicago warehouse (shades of Jaguar!) destroyed 12 of them, and it's estimated that as few as 85 exist today. Arnolt himself passed away in 1962, putting an end to the wackiness.

This car is a deluxe coupe, which received the top and side curtains as standard. The 130bhp six is backed up by a 4-speed moss box and will provide 100mph-plus cruising all day. The car has been restored, and judging by the pictures presents itself well, although at less than concours level. The things that need to be rectified are minor however, so you could be up and ready for Monterey this year!

So, does $165,000 for a rare hybrid from the fifties seem too wacky for you? Or is that what it costs to bring three great nations together in your driveway?

You decide!

eBay or go here if the ad gets whacked.

Help me out with NPOCP. Click here to send a me a tip.

When you think about a Chrysler-engined British car, the Jensen Interceptor is probably the first thing that comes to mind. While the Interceptor makes a fine Project Car Hell candidate, its perceived value to Jensen masochists aficionados is such that you'll never find one for anywhere close to the 500-buck 24 Hours Of LeMons limit. Hold on, though- what about the Bristol 408? Powered by the good ol' reliable Chrysler 313, the Bristol combined British style with Mopar drivetrain reliability… but is it possible to find one with a LeMons-legal price tag? Better hitch up the trailer and head for Wisconsin, because this 1966 Bristol 408 Coupe (go here if the ad disappears) has an asking price of just $500! The engine is bad, but there must be sufficient eBay-worthy pieces you can sell off this thing to score a running Chrysler small-block and Torqueflite transmission. Then just knock the suspension and brakes into quasi-functional shape and you'll be raceworthy. You can make it happen! Thanks to Cheese-Eating Surrender Monkey Bret for the tip!

That Bristol would make you an instant LeMons legend, all right, but where's the absurdity? Sure, you'd have to be insane to run such a car, but you want members of other teams to stagger back in a mixture of awe and horror when they lay eyes on your racin' machine. A limousine would accomplish that, but there's the troublesome 4,000-pound weight limit to contend with. Unless… unless, of course, you were to get this 1974 Super Beetle limo (go here if the ad disappears), which has a bait-n-switch price of $8 but will likely go to the first buyer who waves a $100 bill under the seller's nose. There's no engine and transmission, but Pick Your Part is always chock-full of Beetles and Transporters, and any lawnmower mechanic armed with $9.98 worth of Brazilian replacement parts can get a Type 1 engine working just fine. Handling on the race track might be a little odd, since the pendulum with the big rear weight is now longer, but you won't be perturbed by the spinouts once you've got that Index Of Effluency and/or Organizer's Choice trophy in your shaky hands! Thanks to LeMons Supreme Court Justice Loverman for the tip!

10.) Let's See How The CoT And This Here New Soft Wall Hold Up

A 2008 crash at Texas that proved to be the biggest test yet for the CoT and the new safer walls. Somehow Michael McDowell survived.

9.) Bristol Will Always Be A Car-Basher
Two clips, 12 years apart, show that Bristol will always have an appetite for destruction, no matter what changes you make.

8.) Biggest Wreck Ever
After this happened at Daytona in 1960, NASCAR realized that they had unleashed a whole new beast with their super-speedway. This may only rank eighth on the PopMech list, but it's our favorite. You just can't beat the combination of old jalopies, the ol'-timey-voiced commentary, and primitive "safety" precautions.

7.) The King Demands Window Nets

After "The King" Richard Petty's body flopped around out of his window during this crash in 1970, NASCAR decided that it was time to dictate the use of window nets. Long live The King.

6.) Why We Have Roof Flaps

These two clips show two big flippin' crahses by Rusty Wallace during the 1993 season, which eventually led to the creation of roof flaps that pop-up when the car is sliding backwards. They create downforce to keep the car planted on the ground and prevent cars from catching big X-Games-style air.

5.) Why We Now Have Pit Road Speed Limits

Mike Ritch was tragically killed when Ricky Rudd's car spun out of control in pit lane. To help prevent this from happening again, new pit lane speed limits were introduced.

4.) Why We Have Restrictor Plates
200MPH+ may be spectacular to watch, but there's no getting around the added danger of higher speeds. But isn't that the point of motorsport? To go as fast as possible, safety be damned? Well, no matter how we see it, NASCAR decided after this crash that something had to be done to reduce speeds.

3.) Fireball Roberts

A tragically ironic end to his life, Fireball Roberts died just the way his nickname implied. Fire-retardant safety gear took a step up after this, but the sport was never the same without his charisma.

2.) Rubbin' Is Racin'
The famous tangle up between Donnie Allison and Cale Yarborough on network TV ensured that NASCAR would be prime entertainment fixture for years to come. We wish more drivers would get in fistfights nowadays.

1.) Yup, You Guessed It

The crash that will live in infamy.

Crikey, Humbert! Golly, Gumpert! Fackin' feck, Q-bert! 51-year-old Mendoza Stewart purchased a '72 Bristol 411 a few years ago. In 2004, he parked it in a legal spot near his home in Kennington, only to find that it had been hauled off by the council and then removed from the flatbed with a mechanical claw, destroying the car's aluminum roof. Although the council admits they were in the wrong, Stewart's yet to see a dime. The value of the car? Right around 30,000 quid. Eep. – Davey G. Johnson

Crushed by the Council: The 30,000 Car that was Parked Legally [This is London via Winding Road]

Related:
Britain's Bristol Fighter Now Available in "Faster" [Internal]

Photo By: Rusty Jarrett / Getty Images Sport

Car of Tomorrow debuts today [Freep]

Related:
Welcome To The NASCAR "Car Of Tomorrow-ow-ow"; Sports Illustrated Weighs in on the Car of Tomorrow [internal]

Get your jet fuel and oxidant ready Waltrip, NASCAR is introducing the "Car Of Tomorrow" after five years of testing (it takes a lot of engineering to drive in a circle). Designed to improve safety, performance, competition and cost efficiency for teams, the Car of Tomorrow fits all four current templates (Ford, Toyota, GM and Dodge). The car will make its debut at the Bristol Motor Speedway and will be used at sixteen events on tracks less than a mile and a half in length. One of the features we look forward to most is the deatchable wing! – Matt Hardigree

Car of Tomorrow could fuel future expansion [TSN-CA]

Related:
All of our NASCAR coverage [internal]

Bristol released more info on its new, batshit-mad, Dodge Viper-powered Fighter. It'll be dubbed the Fighter T, and the final numbers total 1,012 hp and 1,036 lb.-ft of torque (at 4500 rpm) via a couple of turbos and twin intercoolers feeding the 8.0-liter ten banger. The chassis is 30% stiffer than its predecessor, and it's been fitted with firmer springs, lower ride height, stiffer antiroll bar and 19" aluminum wheels. Aerodynamic drag factor's been reduced to 0.27 by a new rear wake diffuser, making a top speed of well over 200 mph probable (now how about some downforce?). Deliveries start in September 2007. Get 'em while they're still warm. – Mike Spinelli

Specs:

* Twin turbocharged and intercooled 8 litre V10 engine
* 1012 bhp at 5600 rpm
* 1036 lb.ft of torque at 4500 rpm
* Bristol Cars have over a quarter of a century of turbocharging experience, for, in January 1980 they introduced UK's first turbocharged car - the Bristol Beaufighter
* Functional exterior styling changes and mechanical alterations to suit the extra performance
* Lightweight sports interior
* First deliveries of Fighter T expected September 2007
* During the short time the Bristol Fighter has been on the market we have noted that owners tend to use the cars as everyday transport instead of a conventional car. They also love to use them for recreational or track day purposes.
* In spite of the Fighter and Fighter S's very high performance, to our surprise we have sometimes been asked for more.
* The Fighter T (which will be an addition to the range) answers these requirements without losing one iota of street level credentials.
* At 3500 rpm the standard Fighter produces an impressive 525 lb.ft of torque. The Fighter T delivers more than 900 lb.ft at the same rpm, and continues to do so all the way up to the rev limit of 6000 rpm.
* Drag factor reduced to 0.27 by a new rear wake diffuser.
* A potential maximum speed of more than 270 mph has been electronically limited to a more than sufficient 225 mph at 4500 rpm.
* 0 to 60 mph in less than 3.5 seconds.
* Responding to the needs of some exacting customers we have created a very special Fighter variant which, as ever, remains a compact and enjoyable car to drive around town or as an exhilarating track car. Yet it takes two people and their luggage in great luxury and ease for trans continental travel.
* Bristol Cars believe that there is no other car with such a remarkable range of abilities.

BRIEF SPECIFICATION OF BRISTOL FIGHTER T

ENGINE

All aluminium 8 litre V10. 9.3:1 compression ratio. Two ball bearing water cooled turbochargers with intercooling, uprated engine internals. High flow cylinder heads with high lift camshaft. High capacity cooling system and catalysts. Free flow exhaust with side of car exits. Output 127 bhp per litre. 1012 bhp at 5600 rpm. 1036 lb.ft of torque at 4500 rpm.

TRANSMISSION

6 speed manual gearbox with increased torque capacity. Revised gear ratios to suit torque characteristics. 60 mph in first gear. 49.8 mph at 1000 rpm in 6th gear.

CHASSIS

Structure 30% stiffer in torsion. Firmer springs. 10 mm lower ride height. 25% stiffer front anti-roll bar. Firmer sports dampers. Revised wishbone geometry front and rear. 40% increased castor. Ball jointed rear torque bushings. 285 x 19 inch front tyres. 335 x 19 inch rear tyres. 5 spoke 19 inch aluminium alloy lightweight wheels.

EXTERIOR

Radiused intake grille. Side exit exhaust pipes. Polished stainless steel outlets. Rear wake diffuser.

INTERIOR

Engine turned aluminium instrument and centre console. Faces with coloured varnish to match leather. Turned aluminium switch gear. Turbo boost gauge. Lightweight 'racing style' seats. Lightweight steering wheel.

[via World Car Fans]

Related:
Bristol Viper? Fighter Supercar to Get 1000+ hp [internal]

Lest we forget the Brits are as batshit mad as the rest of humanity, word is British sports-car builder Bristol Cars plans to spike its Dodge Viper-powered Fighter with twin turbos. That means the latest incarnation of the V10-powered coupe will produce 1,012 hp and 1,032 lbs-ft of torque, giving it a theoretical top speed of 270 mph — though the company says it's electronically limited to 224 mph to prevent it from experiencing a catastrophic teardown at speed. At least someone over there has a conscience. – Mike Spinelli

Bristol Fighter gets twin-turbo V10 [Motor Authority]

Related:
The Bristol Fighter: Really Worth 200,000? [internal]

We love the audacity of the Bristols. "No, you can't test our cars. Yes, they're very expensive, allegedly shoddily built, and feature Chrysler powertrains. We will brag about the smoothness of our four-speed autobox, even though Chrysler forgot how to build a decent transmission after they developed the 727 Torqueflite. And despite the fact that the Bugatti Veyron is demonstrably faster than the its claimed top velocity, we're still going to go ahead and claim that our Fighter is possibly the fastest car in the world. Yes, we're 60 years old, and dementia's setting in fast."

60 Years of Bristol [Carpages, UK]

Related:
The Bristol Fighter: Really Worth 200,000? [Internal]

Man, this is one of the most tepid reviews of a 200,000 car we've ever read. Frankly ridiculously tepid, actually. Like our own Robert Farago with the Bristol Blenheim, motoring journalist Martin Buckley had to wrangle a Bristol from a private owner. Unlike Farago, he didn't completely savage the car. But for something that resembles a cross between a TVR and a '94 Celica with a tweaked Viper drivetrain? It'd better be the most insane, nuts-ass car on the planet. And it's obviously not.

Anyone Want to Start a Fighter? [motoring.co.za]

Related:
The Bristol Bleccccheim: The Worst Car You Can t Afford to Own [Internal]