News / Cars
Resurrection of a much-loved Bristol brand to become a reality
Bristol Cars, a name synonymous with luxury, performance, and British craftsmanship, is making a remarkable comeback after its well-documented decline and fall.
Known for producing some of the most distinctive vehicles of the 20th century, Bristol has long been a favourite among car enthusiasts, which include billionaire Richard Branson, U2’s Bono, and the celebrity talkshow host Jay Leno.
Leno, who owns a 1955 Bristol 403, called it “the most British of the British cars” even trumping several household brands.
Now, with the announcement of a revival under new ownership, the famed brand is set to hit the roads again in 2026, marking its 80th anniversary.
Bristol Cars, which was considered a post-war success story in Bristol and the UK was founded in 1946 as an offshoot of Bristol Aeroplane Company in Filton.
Bristol Cars quickly gained a reputation for creating unique, hand-built automobiles that combined elegance with extraordinary performance.
With a focus on engineering excellence, using Bristol-built derivatives of the BMW M328 2-litre six-cylinder engine, the brand produced cars that were not just meant to be driven, but experienced.
The company’s output was low, ensuring exclusivity, and its cars were often favoured by those with a refined taste for luxury, including aristocrats, celebrities, and the elite of British society.
The 1950s and 1960s saw models like the Bristol 405 and the 412, which became symbols of understated class. Bristol’s vehicles were never about flashy displays of wealth; instead, they offered a quiet, assured performance that appealed to those who truly understood the art of motoring.
Bristol Cars born as an offshoot of Bristol Aeroplane Company after WWII – photo: Bristol Aeroplane Company
However, after decades of success, the brand’s fortunes began to wane in the 1980s. Financial struggles and an inability to adapt to changing automotive trends led to a gradual decline, and by 2020, the brand had all but disappeared from the global stage, leaving many enthusiasts to lament the loss of one of Britain’s finest automotive traditions.
Enter Jason Wharton, an Essex-based property magnate and self-confessed Bristol Cars fanatic. Wharton’s love for the brand, coupled with his business acumen, has led him to acquire the intellectual property rights to Bristol Cars a few years back.
Wharton, who oversees a £800m property portfolio, is planning to release a limited-edition new Bristol Fighter for 2025, a limited-edition Bristol Speedster for 2026, and then new productions – the Bristol Buccaneer and Bristol Pullman for the period between 2027-30.
With the acquisition, Wharton has pledged to revive the brand, bringing it into the 21st century with hybrid and EV models while staying true to the company’s roots of craftsmanship, engineering, and luxury.
Essex-based property magnate Jason Wharton bought the intellectual property rights of Bristol Cars in 2021 – photo: Bristol Manufacturing Limited/Faith PR
After completing the acquisition, Wharton said: “I see myself as a long-term investor in this iconic British brand, so part of my role is to take it forward and develop it so it can finally become sustainable as a premium automotive business, hence our need to move with the times, and introduce a fully battery electric model.”
By 2026, Bristol Cars will return to the roads with a new model lineup, marking the 80th anniversary of the brand’s founding.
The upcoming relaunch has already captured the attention of car enthusiasts and collectors, who are eager to see how Bristol’s legendary craftsmanship will be translated into a new era.
In the 1950s and 1960s models like the Bristol 405 and the 412, became symbols of understated class – photo: Jason Wharton
With its strong history and cult status, Bristol Cars has an enduring appeal that continues to resonate with many.
Main photo: Jason Wharton
Read next:
Our top newsletters emailed directly to you
