Large format, rare 2009 book on the history of the eccentric luxury car maker BRISTOL and it's individual high-quality/low-volume approach to car design and manufacture which thrived under the leadership of former racing driver T A D Crook, sadly to vanish soon after this book was published, Crook having only recently relinquished control
An offshoot of the Briatoil Aircraft Company (itself later a part of BAE and builders of the Concorde) Bristol started producing cars in the late 1940s using BMW engine designs taken as war reparations. Their 6 cylinder unit was very effective and used in several Formula 2 racing cars in the mid 1950s , most famously the Cooper that shot future world champion Mike Hawthorn to fame and got him a Ferrari contractBy the 1960s the company were using large American V8 engines and the cars grew ever more fitted to the 'Gentleman's club on wheels' mold that keep the customer base loyal.
Great book, 432 large pages, enormous detail and masses of superb photos and illustrations. Book and jacket in fine condition.
