Details:

We love the rare and unusual at Oldtimer Australia and this exclusive and highly collectible 1959 Bristol 406 Zagato certainly fits that bill.

We are delighted to offer for sale the very first of only six Bristol 406 Zagatos built. This particular car was effectively the prototype and it was completed just in time to be shown at the 1959 Earls Court Motor Show in London, where it was exhibited on the Zagato stand.

Of the six cars built, the first two cars were relatively similar. Subsequent cars had a higher roof line to accommodate taller passengers. It is understood that the third car built was destroyed in an accident and parted out, hence, only five examples remain.

The early history of the car is not definitively known. It is understood that it was originally finished in vermillion a dark maroon colour and it passed through a few owners in the UK before finding its way to the USA in the late 1970s or early 1980s.

There are copies of a number of Californian registrations on file in the name Edward Jon Barrara from Downey, which is mid way between Los Angeles and Anaheim. The earliest is dated 19th April 1986. The car was sold in 1988 and driven some 800 miles east and parked up on a property in Albuquerque, New Mexico. It then sat outside under a tarpaulin for the next 14 years. Fortunately, Albuquerque has a hot, dry climate which helped preserve the car. The owner moved back to the UK, leaving the car in the USA where it sat. This was the catalyst for him to sell the car and it was advertised for sale in 2002. The advert was spotted by Sydney based Bristol enthusiast Sean McSharry who subsequently purchased the car. It is understood that the mileage at that time was circa 58,000 miles.

The car, which was then white in colour, was in generally poor condition. McSharry imported the car into Australia (there is an Australian Vehicle Import Approval on file dated 4th September 2002) and engaged the services of Sebastian Gross of Seberi Pty Ltd to complete a ground up restoration. Like most other Bristols, the 406 Zagato was built using superleggera construction with an aluminium body over a steel frame.

After assessing the car it was deemed necessary to remove the body to repair the severely corroded steel frame. The car was stripped and the necessary work was undertaken. The aluminium body was also in poor condition and it was sent to highly respected coach builder Mark Nugent in Dubbo to be rebuilt. All the external trim was either refurbished, replaced or rebuilt.

Mechanically, the car was in better shape, however, everything was stripped, assessed and rebuilt. This included the engine, gearbox, differential/rear axle assembly, suspension, brakes and more.

The interior was completely refurbished and the wiring was also completely redone.

The project took six years to complete and during this time extensive research was undertaken and information was collected to better understand the car and document as much of the history as possible. The car has a thick history file with copies of many emails relating to its purchase, the supply & refurbishment of parts and conversations with other 406 Zagato owners to verify details of the rebuild.

McSharry chose to have the car finished in the most stunning colour combination of California Sage with avocado green upholstery and darker olive green carpets.

The car was given a number of sympathetic upgrades to improve usability and safety throughout the restoration. Most notably, this included fitting a discretely hidden steel roll bar and the installation of seat belts. A nice touch was the addition of an (unchilled) wine cellar in the boot! This idea came from Geoffrey and Hilary Herdmans book: Round the World with 10 DPG, which covers their travels in a Bristol 405 Drophead Coupe.

No stone was left unturned to ensure the car was done right and to a very high standard. The end result was a credit to McSharry and everyone involved in its restoration.

This fabulous Bristol 406 Zagato was subsequently used and enjoyed before being sold to well known Bristol enthusiast Tom Barr-Smith in Melbourne in c2013. Under Barr-Smiths ownership the car was exhibited at Motorclassica in 2015. Motorclassica, which was held at Melbournes Royal Exhibition building, was Australias leading concours delegance and classic car show.

The car was sold in January 2019 to a Melbourne based classic car collector and enthusiast. The roadworthy certificate on file notes the mileage at that time as 62,705 miles. It joined an exceptional collection and was shown at the 2019 Sydney Harbour Concours dElegance. This wonderful Bristol was subsequently used and enjoyed, often seen around Melbournes classic car scene.

The current owner acquired the car in December 2021. It has been used sparingly since, though it did attend the 2022 Targa Florio and it was again shown at Motorclassica that same year. In March 2025 the car was shown at the Rippon Lea Concours dElegance in Melbourne.

For the last two owners, the car has been maintained by highly respected Rolls-Royce, Bentley and vintage car specialists Derby Works as well as the owners in house mechanics. In more recent times, Damon Ross from Ross Restoration has spent time tuning the car.

The current owner has enjoyed his time with this fabulous car and he is now downsizing his collection.

Even though the car carries what is now an older restoration it still presents superbly. At the time of photographing, the odometer read 62,938 miles.

The paint colour of California Sage really highlights the unique design features of the car. The devil is in the detail with this car and the more you look the more you see. There is the obvious trade mark Zagato double bubble style roof as well as the raised hip line at the rear quarter, but check out the complex detail at the rear of the car . . . it is a work of art! Overall, the paintwork is in excellent condition. There is quite a lot of external trim and its presentation, like the paint work, is excellent. The trademark Bristol wheels and hub caps are in excellent condition with no obvious damage. The wheels are shod with period correct Michelin X tyres, size 5.50 R16.

The interior is beautifully presented. The finest quality leather and carpets were used during the restoration. The avocado green upholstery provides a subtle yet perfect colour contrast to the paint. The feature is the beautiful three spoke timber steering wheel with the Zagato badge in the centre. During the restoration the unique steering wheel was sent to Nardi in Italy to be refurbished. A nice touch are the Supplied by Anthony Crook Leading Distributors Esher & Hersham Surry plaques fitted on top of each sill inside the cabin. Like most Bristols the instruments and switch gear is more akin to an aircraft, but it all adds to the aura of this fabulous car. Like the outside of the car, inside the cabin the more you look the more you see. Check out the art deco style interior lights!

Under the bonnet everything is neat, clean and tidy. The boot is similarly well presented.

The seating position is slightly offset, but not uncomfortably so. The car starts easily and the Bristol 2.2 litre six cylinder engine makes a great noise. It also has a fabulous raspy exhaust note.

One of the first things you notice as you get moving is the steering. The timber steering wheel is very solid and it has a great feel, but surprisingly the steering is light, responsive and very direct. The pedal layout is conventional, though the accelerator has quite a long and unusual travel. You get used to the drive quickly and the other fundamentals are excellent. The brakes are surprisingly good and their stopping power belies a late fifties built car.

The engine, which is currently running triple Weber carburettors, needs to be revved and it really comes on song above 3,000 rpm. The more you rev the engine, the broader your smile! The gear change is firm with a relatively short shift adding to the driving experience. The gear box has synchromesh on all gears and for long distance cruising there is an overdrive on top gear. On our test drive all of the instruments looked to be working, though the speedo was somewhat erratic.

This is not a sports car, rather an incredibly unique gentlemens express.

Whilst this car carries an older restoration, it still presents and drives superbly. Wherever this car has gone it has turned heads and got people talking. It is easy to understand why.

Accompanying the car is an excellent history file, including a huge amount of information and receipts from the restoration, an original Bristol 406 Instruction Manual, an original Bristol 406 Spares handbook, an original Bristol 406 Zagato sales brochure, the original Solex carburettors, a hide of leather as used for the upholstery, miscellaneous parts, a spare wheel and a tool kit.

A truly unique and most likely never to be repeated opportunity.

Highlights:

A unicorn, being 1 of only 6 examples built and 5 surviving.
Unique coachbuilt body designed and by Zagato of Milan.
Beautifully restored to a very high standard.
Finished in a STUNNING colour combination.
Thick history file with fabulous period photos and literature.
Ready for its next owner to show, use and enjoy.

Price $349,950


Background:

The Bristol Car Company has a rich and fascinating history. Its origins date back to the Bristol Aeroplane Company (formerly The British and Colonial Aeroplane Company) that was founded in February 1910 by Sir George White, chairman of the Bristol Tramways and Carriage Company, along with his son Stanley and his brother Samuel, to commercially exploit the fast-growing aviation sector. The Bristol Aeroplane Company developed into a British industrial powerhouse and they built some of the worlds most technologically advanced aeroplanes. Some of the most well-known and successful aircraft built by Bristol were the Bristol F2 Fighter (used during World War I), the Bristol Bulldog and the Bristol Beaufighter (used during World War II).

Following the First World War the British aircraft industry suffered a dramatic downturn and subsequently significant financial challenges. In an endeavour to keep its workforce employed the Bristol Aeroplane Company undertook the manufacture of a light car, the single seat Bristol Monocar which was powered by a motorcycle engine, the construction of car bodies for Armstrong Siddeley and bus bodies for their sister company, Bristol Tramways. The company survived, but times were tough.

Aircraft manufacturing ramped up again with the outbreak of the Second World War, however, management had learned that they must plan for the future. It is understood that discussions started as early as 1941 to establish a post war car manufacturing division. Bristol began working with AFN Ltd, makers of Frazer Nash cars and British importer of BMWs before the war, on plans for a joint venture in automotive manufacturing. What ultimately eventuated was that the Bristol Aeroplane Company took over AFN Ltd and established its car manufacturing division, Bristol Cars. A purpose built factory was constructed at Filton Aerodrome, near Bristol.

The first Bristol was designated the 400 and not surprisingly given the Frazer Nash and BMW connection it was based on a BMW 326 chassis with BMW 327 styling. The engine, whilst built by Bristol, was also based on a BMW 327. The first prototypes were built in late 1946, however, the car was formally introduced at the 1947 Geneva Motor Show. The car was a great success for Bristol and almost 500 examples were built through until 1950. This included 17 Drophead Coupes with coachwork by Pininfarina. In 1949 Bristol introduced the 401, which was designed and bodied by Touring of Milan in Italy. The new model was aerodynamically sleeker and featured superleggera construction with an aluminium body over a steel frame. As a result the car weighed significantly less and its performance was greatly enhanced. Bristol was gaining a reputation for building technologically advanced motor cars that were luxurious, very reliable and offered genuinely exciting performance on the road. Their cars were not cheap and as a result they remained somewhat exclusive. Buyers of new Bristols back in the day were typically wealthy businessman who wanted a car to stand out in a crowd. They also wanted a car they could drive and enjoy and many Bristols were used for hill climbs and weekend motor racing.

Bristol developed the 450 specifically for motor racing and it made its debut at the 1953 Le Mans 24 hour race. Two cars were entered in the race, however, they both retired with engine failures after about 10 hours. Bristol returned to Le Mans in 1954 and entered three cars, with uprated engines and improved aerodynamic bodywork. In contrast with the previous year all three cars finished the race, coming home in first, second and third place in their class and seventh, eighth and ninth overall. Their performance also earned Bristol the team prize. Bristol returned to Le Mans again in 1955 and again performed exceptionally well achieving the same results as in 1954. The race became famous for the wrong reason when a major accident resulted in debris flying into the crowd killing 83 people and injuring many more. Following this race a number of manufacturers, including Bristol, retired from motor racing indefinitely.

Subsequent road cars included the 403 (1953-1955, 287 cars built), which was a further development of its predecessors, the 404 (1953-1958, 52 cars built), the 405 (1953-1958, 308 cars built and the 406 (1958-1961, 174 cars built).

In 1953 Bristol introduced the two door 404 and four door 405. For these models Bristol abandoned the BMW style radiator grille for a style that reflected its aviation heritage. A unique design feature of the 404 and 405 is the sizable lockers in the front wings accessed externally by gullwing doors. On a right hand drive car, the locker on the drivers side held the spare wheel and jack, whilst that on the passengers side housed the battery and fuse panel. These cars also had upgraded engine performance, an improved gearbox with a short gear lever and front disc brakes as an option.

Bristol was looking to build a sports version of the 406 Saloon in the late 1950s, however, the project was abandoned for commercial reasons. Former British race driver, Bristol Cars director and the largest Bristol dealer, Tony Crook, revived the idea of a special sport model based on the 406. Through his dealership, Anthony Crook Motors, he commissioned Zagato to build a smaller, lighter and faster two door sporting car based on the Bristol 406 Saloon.

The prototype was displayed at the 1959 Earls Motor Show in London to rave reviews. Crook initially planned to build ten cars, however, for a number of reasons including cost and the fact the car was only available through Anthony Crook Motors resulted in only six cars being built. Despite its limited commercial success, the sporty Gran Turismo was the starting point of a longstanding collaboration between Bristol and Zagato

Bristol Cars was sold after its parent company joined with other British aircraft companies in 1960 to create the British Aircraft Corporation (BAC), which later became part of British Aerospace.