1963 Bristol 408 — Chassis Number One

The first Bristol 408 built, chassis 408-7001, and the car used by Tony Crook as his daily transport. Retained by Bristol Cars for its first two and a half years, it also served as the factory press and development car.

408 UHU appeared in the original Bristol sales brochure and was featured in The Motor, Autocar, Cars Illustrated and the 1964 World Car Catalogue. It is one of just 86 examples produced.

Restored by Justin Hills, the aluminium bodywork has been returned to its original Gunmetal finish with a Silver Grey roof. The interior is trimmed in red leather with walnut dashboard and door cappings. The original radio and distinctive push-button automatic controls remain.

Hills’s other work includes the Dodge that won the World’s Most Beautiful Custom award at Sacramento Autorama in 2013, and a Jaguar awarded the Spirit Award at Salon Privé in 2019.

Power comes from a Chrysler V8 coupled to a three-speed Torqueflite automatic gearbox. With comfortable seating for four and ample luggage space, the 408 was built for long-distance touring.

The car comes with a substantial history file, including Bristol service record cards from 1963–1966, a copy of the original sales brochure, period magazines and extensive later paperwork. Also included is James Nicholls’s book Bristol 408, published by Amberley in 2023, which records the car’s history.

A rare opportunity to buy the first 408, with its original registration and a documented connection to Tony Crook and the Bristol factory.

Odometer: 77,653 miles indicated; not warranted.

£99,000

SLJ Hackett, Official Heritage Partner of Bristol Cars Approved by Bristol Cars Group Ltd © 2026 Bristol Cars Group Ltd. All rights reserved.

Please contact Richard at SLJ Hackett for further details or to arrange a viewing.