RE-CREATIVE LICENCE
THIS CORNER OF the world hasn’t seen this distinctive shape for over 66 years. It was mid-June 1954, up the hill from here in Filton, when three dirty but victorious Bristol Type 450 Saloons were lined up and parked outside the Bristol Aeroplane Company Car Division’s Racing Department. Bristol had not only won its 2.0-litre class at Le Mans, but it had dominated the podium with a first, second and third (seventh, eighth and ninth overall).
After the embarrassing retirement of Bristol’s new ERA G-Type-based racers the year before, it had become crucial for the young team to do better. So, understandably, the race-soiled victors were unloaded and left outside Shield House (known as the ‘Old Laundry’ due to its previous occupants), where they drew an admiring crowd.
This was the first time l’Automobile Club de l’Ouest had invited a three-car Bristol entry (the ill-fated 1953 two-car effort had seen both entries retire), and Le Mans had just witnessed the race debut of the new-look ’54 Bristol Type 450 Saloons. In preparation, the cars had benefited from a few bodywork and mechanical improvements since their successful Class E record runs at Montlhéry – notably a new coat of bright green paint, raised roof and the six-port Bristol Competition Engine (BCE).
Joining three
