After helping Britain win the war with their storied aircraft, the Bristol Aeroplane Company began producing cars in 1947. Already having a relationship with BMW, Bristol got started by basically taking a pre-war BMW 328 car design, which they modified over the years to create desirable motor cars that compete with the likes of Bentley and Rolls Royce.

Bristols are a rare site anywhere in the world and especially in the U.S. This 1953 Bristol 403 is one of just six cars Bristol sold in the states in 1953. Being a left-hand drive Bristol also increases its rarity. It's been said that no two Bristols are alike, since they were built to order for the buyer. The 403 was made from 1953 through 1955 with a total production of about 300 cars.

This Bristol features a 2 liter inline six cylinder with domed piston and hemi-head construction fed by a trio of Solex carbs. A four speed manual transmission with freewheel first gear sends 100 horsepower to the rear wheels. An Enot 'one-shot' lubrication system keeps suspension components lubed.

The hand formed aluminum body was designed by Touring in Italy and features Superleggera construction (a steel skeleton frame with the body placed over it).

This Bristol featured rack and pinion steering for great responsiveness and a tight road-feel. Other advanced features include 12 volt electrics (positive ground), electric wipers, oversize Alfin aluminum finned drum brakes at each corner and a smooth aerodynamic body with flush door buttons and integrated bumpers.

The interior features a wood dash with a full complement of gauges, high quality leather seating, ceiling-mounted radio speaker and a steering wheel with yoke style hand grips.

This Bristol has had over $40,000 of recent work by vintage specialists including five new Vredestein tires, a complete valve job and valve adjustment, new fuel pump, starter, engine mounts and a complete brake system overhaul. The suspension has received new kingpins, wheel bearings and axle seals along with new leather gaiters. A host of additional tweaks and corrections have also been performed.

Included with this car is the original owner's manual, factory workshop manual, spare keys, an SD card with hundreds of photos documenting recent work and a binder full of receipts and records plus correspondence with the Bristol factory from the original owner.