Body style: Convertible (spider/spyder, cabrio/cabriolet, drop/open/soft top)
Segment: Roadster & Convertible
Production years: 1975, 1976, 1977, 1978
After they stopped producing airplanes, the Bristol company started to build cars. Three decades after WWII was over, the British company introduced the 412 Targa.
It was a strange marriage, with the bodies being built in Italy, then shipped to the U.K. in Filton to meet their chassis. But, somehow, that recipe worked for a few years. To spice things up, the engine came from the U.S. In the end, it was difficult to say if that was a British car.
The wedge-shaped vehicle, with flat surfaces and angular lines, was imagined in Italy. A long and flat hood, a flat front fascia, and flat front fenders made the car look angular. The cabin was short and it featured a targa-top. While the roof was removable and could have been stored in the trunk, the B-pillars remained on the car along with the security arches. There was a folding rear canvas-back, to cover the rear seats. So, if the top was kept in place and the rear was folded down, the car was converted into a landaulet. The result was an eccentric-looking vehicle.
The interior had other interesting features. With a wooden dash panel and a leather-covered instrument cluster, the car offered an exclusive look for its owner. In the middle of the dash, there was the air-conditioning unit. On the floor, on the transmission tunnel, the car-manufacturer installed the gear-selector for the 3-speed automatic gearbox. To justify the high price-tag, the car featured leather upholstery as standard.
Under the hood, the 1975 Bristol 412 featured a V8 Chrysler engine. Its price was just below a Rolls-Royce Corniche.
ENGINE SPECS - 6.6L V8 3AT (264 HP) | |
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Cylinders: | V8 |
Displacement: | 6556 cm3 |
Power: | 194.2 KW @ 4800 RPM 264 HP @ 4800 RPM 260 BHP @ 4800 RPM |
Torque: | 335 lb-ft @ 3600 RPM 454 Nm @ 3600 RPM |
Fuel System: | carburetor |
Fuel: | Gasoline |
PERFORMANCE SPECS | |
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Top Speed: | 140 mph (225 km/h) |
Acceleration 0-62 Mph (0-100 kph): | 7.5 s |
TRANSMISSION SPECS | |
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Drive Type: | Rear Wheel Drive |
Gearbox: | 3-Speed automatic |
BRAKES SPECS | |
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Front: | Discs |
Rear: | Discs |
TIRES SPECS | |
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Tire Size: | 205/80 R15 |
DIMENSIONS | |
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Length: | 194.5 in (4940 mm) |
Width: | 69.5 in (1765 mm) |
Height: | 56.5 in (1435 mm) |
Front/rear Track: | 54.5/55 in (1,384/1,397 mm) |
Wheelbase: | 114 in (2896 mm) |
Ground Clearance: | 5.7 in (145 mm) |
Cargo Volume: | 21.9 cuFT (620 L) |
Aerodynamics (Cd): | 0.45 |
WEIGHT SPECS | |
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Unladen Weight: | 3780.9 lbs (1715 kg) |
Gross Weight Limit: | 4453 lbs (2020 kg) |
FUEL ECONOMY (NEDC) | |
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Combined: | 11.5 mpg US (20.5 L/100Km) |