by "DaftRyosuke - So Long and Thanks for All the Fish!" (daft-ryosuke)
Published 09/13/2017 at 15:03

Tags: Today I learned ; Bristol
STARS: 3

2004-2011 Bristol Fighter.

Unlike Jensen and AC, Bristol is definitely a lesser known British sports car company, known for more luxurious entries like the 603/Blenheim and 412. However, in the early 2000s, they went completely mental by bringing out this: the Fighter.

The Fighter was an FR supercar, powered by a Viper V10, mated to a 6-speed manual or 4-speed automatic (probably the only time the V10 was mated to an automatic outside of the Ram). It was definitely a far moreluxurious take on a Viper-type of car, with rich Conolly leather seating and those fabulous gullwing doors.

The standard Fighter produced a modest 525 hp, which was respectable for the time. However, a more powerful Fighter T version was planned with a turbocharger and a claimed 1012 horsepower. It was destined for production in the later 2000s, but never came to be.

Although it had a seven year production run, it is stated only 13 models were produced. Not all is lost, because Bristol currently makes a BMW-powered roadster called the Bullet, which I may revisit later.

Replies (10)

"feather-throttle-not-hair" (feather-throttle-not-hair)
09/13/2017 at 15:07, STARS: 2

You know what i never understood about Bristol?

How does one say “Blenheim” and what does it mean? (other than the WWII aircraft and the car) Like...what are the origins of that word?

The Bristol Fighter was way cooler also.

"Smallbear wants a modern Syclone, local Maple Leafs spammer" (smallbear94)
09/13/2017 at 15:15, STARS: 3

1916 Bristol Fighter

"Rust and Dust - Oppositelock Forever" (rustanddust)
09/13/2017 at 15:23, STARS: 1

pron: BLEN -im.

If Wikipedia is to be believed, it’s from a battle in Germany (Bavaria) during the War of Spanish Succession. Seems the Duke of Marlborough won a decisive battle near Blindheim (Anglicized into Blenheim). After the war, Blenheim Palace was built as the home of the Duke of Marlborough (and subsequently, Winston Churchill’s birthplace).

God, I’m bored.

"feather-throttle-not-hair" (feather-throttle-not-hair)
09/13/2017 at 15:25, STARS: 0

Well, you’re a bored gentleman and a scholar. Thank you for that!

"Svend" (svend)
09/13/2017 at 17:02, STARS: 1

Needs Bullets.

A Bristol Bullet.

BMW 4.8 litre V8, 370bhp.

"DaftRyosuke - So Long and Thanks for All the Fish!" (daft-ryosuke)
09/13/2017 at 17:08, STARS: 0

I can’t tell if I hate it or love it, it’s such an odd mixture of styles.

I was planning on doing a post on it later because BMW V8.

"Svend" (svend)
09/13/2017 at 17:20, STARS: 0

It’s a design that harks back to the 1954-1958 Bristol 405 Drophead Coupe.

I think they did a really good job.

"ranwhenparked" (ranwhenparked)
09/13/2017 at 19:41, STARS: 0

I believe it comes from the Battle of Blenheim, which was one of the most important engagements in the War of the Spanish Succession. Its also the name of the country estate of the Dukes of Marlborough, which is one of the more famous houses in Britain (and was named specifically after that battle).

"BaconSandwich is tasty." (baconsandwich)
09/13/2017 at 23:00, STARS: 0

I like the choice in gull wing doors. They work well here.

"pip bip - choose Corrour" (hhgttg69)
09/14/2017 at 07:06, STARS: 0

orange one or nothing.