Historical document · Bristol Cars Ltd · Model launch page
New 2003 Bristol Blenheim Speedster: the launch page
A document published by Bristol Cars Ltd on its historic website. It is reproduced here as a historical record, not as a current statement by Bristol Cars Group. The figures and claims in it are Bristol’s own, as published at the time.
Provenance
- Original title
- On view now! New 2003 Bristol "Blenheim Speedster"
- Published by
- Bristol Cars Ltd, on bristolcars.co.uk, its website at the time
- Original address (archival provenance, not a current location)
- http://www.bristolcars.co.uk/blenheimSpeedster.htm
- Date
- Undated by Bristol. The page is headed "New 2003" and was archived on 10 January 2003; PistonHeads reported the same content on 6 January 2003. A revised version, archived 20 September 2008, describes the car as built to special order only and gives a different weight saving.
- Archived capture used
- Internet Archive,
- Document type
- Model launch page
- Relates to
- Bristol Blenheim Speedster on this site, which gives the modern account.
About this document · editorial note by Bristol Cars Group, 2026
The only factory account of the Speedster's origins: the forgotten prototype in a back room at Filton, its restoration in the late 1990s, and the decision to build "a short run of 12-15 cars" on Blenheim running gear. The modern history is on the Bristol Blenheim Speedster page.
The specification contains one internal inconsistency that Bristol never corrected, a tank given as "165 litres (30 Imp. Gallons)", and the weight saving of "some 350kg" that the 2008 version of the page changed to 250 kg. Both are left exactly as Bristol wrote them. The page's original address was capitalised differently between captures (blenheimSpeedster.htm in 2003, BlenheimSpeedster.htm in 2008); the address recorded here is the one for this capture. The single photograph on the original page is not reproduced because its authorship is not recorded.
Transcription · Bristol Cars Ltd’s own words
Transcribed from the archived page. Bristol’s wording, spelling and figures are kept as published, including the company’s own inconsistencies; the only changes are paragraph breaks, headings and the restoration of characters the archived encoding corrupted. Nothing has been added or corrected.
ON VIEW NOW! NEW 2003 BRISTOL "BLENHEIM SPEEDSTER"
Most car manufacturers build and test secret prototypes that never reach the production stage. When each project ends they are scrapped which ensures they remain a secret indefinitely. A rare exception occurred when a senior member of staff at Bristol's Filton factory suggested we take a look at an abandoned car in a back room. Layers of dust and blankets hid an extraordinary streamlined 2-seater with prominent aerodynamic fins. Believed to have originated as a proposed replacement for the early 1950's Arnolt-Bristol with a Bristol 2-litre engine it was later tested with a Chrysler V-8 with an experimental fuel injection system.
It appears that Bristol hit on much the same formula as the later AC Cobra but considered it too "raw" for their gentleman clientele and instead concentrated on introducing the fast, yet dignified V-8 407 saloon series which created the foundation for a whole new generation of Bristols. The prototype 2-seater survived as a mobile Factory testbed for rebuilt engines and transmissions until being parked up some time in the 70's and forgotten. In the late 1990's it was fully restored by Bristol personnel who revealed it was originally known as "The Bullet", on account of its generous performance. The car has since delighted all who have driven it due to its combination of rousing performance, exotic appearance, balanced handling and surprising creature comforts. With the arrival of the Queen's Jubilee year and a general nostalgia for the 1950's, the factory decided to create an updated interpretation using modern Blenheim components just for the fun of it.
The resulting vehicle surpassed all our expectations. We have therefore agreed to build a short run of 12-15 cars to be known as the Blenheim Speedster using the modern Blenheim chassis and drivetrain. Styling is a subtly enhanced version of the original while the interior is all new and conforms to usual sumptuous Bristol standards. The speedster benefits from weighing some 350kg less than a Bristol Saloon and has a special 30 gallon fuel tank with twin race type fillers. This gives an Intercontinental range to complement its huge and impeccably trimmed luggage boot (just the thing for a weekend trip to Italy!).
Performance is fully contemporary with 0-60mph in around 5 secs and a top speed approaching 160mph. Generously shod with 255 section tyres front and rear on 17" 5-spoke rims, the Speedster offers impressive grip and agility thanks to firmer (but still comfortable) suspension settings. The Speedster is not intended to form a part of our long term production plan which is to continue concentrating our efforts on exceptionally well engineered and characterful four-seaters along with a very small number of ultra-modern high performance 2-seaters (i.e. Fighter). It does however fill a temporary place in our range as it makes a stunning tribute to Bristol's early aircraft based style combined with today's comforts, convenience and performance.
The Speedster is on display at Bristol's Kensington showroom and orders can be taken immediately.
BASE PRICE £127,000 VAT @17.5% £22,225 TOTAL UK PRICE £149,225
Further information may be obtained from our showrooms at 368/370 Kensington High Street, London W14 8NI. Telephone No. 0207-603-5555.
SPECIFICATIONS
ENGINE
Layout: 8 cylinders in Vee formation Cubic Capacity: 5,900 cc Bore: 101.6 mm (4.00 in) Stroke: 90.93 mm (3.58 in) Compression Ratio: 9.25:1 Maximum torque 390 lb/ft. Fuel System: Tuned runner aluminium plenum with multi port injection. Ignition system: Dual microprocessor sequential electronic ignition.
DRIVETRAIN
Layout: Electronically controlled automatic with four forward speeds and reverse. Torque Converter: Stall ratio 2.19:1 with computer controlled lock-up clutch. Final Drive: 2.88:1 (3.06 optional) Overall Gearing: 40.72 mph/1000 r.p.m. (38.52 optional).
SUSPENSION
Front: Unequal length wishbones with coil springs, adjustable telescopic dampers, torsional anti-roll bar. Rear: Bristol 8-link axle with torsion springs, adjustable telescopic dampers. Limited slip differential.
STEERING
Layout: Power assisted recirculating ball. Safety: Energy absorbing column with offset joints and progressive collapse sections. Steering wheel: 14" diameter, leather or wooden rim to choice.
BRAKES
Front: Self adjusting discs with four piston callipers. Rear: Self adjusting discs with two piston callipers. Handbrake: Mechanical linkage operating on rear discs.
WHEELS
8 x 17" Alloy 5-spoke
TYRES
Front and Read: 255/55 x 17. Spare: Full sized spare located in front wing compartment.
FUEL SYSTEM
Pump: Electric high pressure with external filter and regulator. Tank: 165 litres (30 lmp. Gallons). Filler: Twin lockable aircraft type flush fillers on rear body.
DIMENSIONS
Length: 4.674 m (15' 4"). Width: 1.752 m (5'9"). Height: 1.118 m (3'8"). Wheelbase: 2.89 m (9'6"). Track Front: 1.422 m (4' 8").
Track Rear 1.435 m (4' 8 '"). Turning Circle: 11.912 m (39'), Kerb Weight 1,395 kg (3,125lb).
PERFORMANCE
Acceleration: 0-60 mph in around 5 secs
BASE PRICE £127,000 VAT @17.5% £22,225 TOTAL UK PRICE £149,225
Further information may be obtained from our showrooms at 368/370 Kensington High Street, London W14 8NL. Telephone No. 0207-603-5555.
End of the Bristol Cars Ltd document. Text © Bristol Cars Ltd, reproduced by Bristol Cars Group Ltd as successor to the marque’s records and goodwill. Photographs from the original page are not reproduced where their authorship is not recorded. Archive review reference S14 / V173.