Bristol seems to have always been substance over style. They always had great press reviews if I recall that correctly, but have always been odd looking, often sharp edges and square fronted, narrow bodied and a whiff of styling by committee - like the 'camel is a horse designed by committee' gag.
I would love to want a Bristol, but I desire cars by first sight most of the time, and the interior has a lot of importance to me. I forgave the clumsy styling of my Dolomites because they were such nice cars to be inside. I forgave the interiors of my MGB's because they were so good to look at from the outside, and despite looking horribly dated in the wedge years (mid 70's), have aged remarkably well.
I remember the first time I sat in a MkIV Golf. It was a hire car. The interior made such an immediate impact, especially with the purple & red instruments, I just had to have one.
This is why I'm picky about the 3.7 Roadster dash, and any car with a centre layout like that. And although I love the 4 seater Morgan shape from the outside, I really don't like the reversed seatbelts, which come from the centre so you can access the rear seats. Very trivial, but such things sour a relationshgip with a car.
Most Ferrari's are well outside my budget. I sat in a 2 seater at Curborough a couple of years ago, and don't really like the bulk. The 456 is a lovely style, and cheap to buy, but the running costs would be mental, so for £30K I would rather take a punt on a speed six TVR. Now that is tempting, because the 350 is a fantastic packege inside and out, but I must be getting cautious in my old age because I don't think I dare risk the engine blowing. Not the end of the world I grant you but a lot of hassle.
Maserati Quattroporte is a really nice package - not for me but a stylish 4 seater.............
