Design history Bristol 450

the bristol 450, seen after record-breaking runs in late 1953. revised front end styling, deep headlamp fairings seen, innovative hub/rim wheel construction.

the bodywork of bristol 450 advanced 1950s. division of aircraft manufacturer bristol design team had access company wind tunnel , car designed aerodynamically efficient possible. cars first appeared smooth basic shape, perhaps on wide narrow track, outline broken lumpy, inelegant headlamp, spotlight , air intake bulges. striking features of design large twin stabilising fins running vertically down rear of small, enclosed cockpit, , down tip of tail. overall effect far pretty.

following team s first race outing both cars used returned factory in damaged state. alongside minor engine modification, during repair dramatic changes made styling of machines. panelwork smoothed further, small front wings gone , roofline raised between rear fins; headlamps set recessed, faired-in conical tunnels; spotlamps , indicator lights set more conventional faired recesses; , engine air intake bulge smoothed , tapered. @ same time car s width reduced, , cutout ducts introduced behind front wheels improve cooling of front brakes. ancillary components removed airflow, either fairing or choosing alternative methods.

in 1955 radical redesign of cockpit made, prior year s le mans outing. further work in bristol wind tunnel had shown that, despite slight increase in cd-value, reduction in frontal area consequence of removing cockpit roof resulted in overall reduction in car s aerodynamic drag. instead of all-enveloping, twin-finned roof, wrap-around screen , single large tailfin employed, in manner similar 1955 le mans-winning jaguar d-type cars. compulsory second seat still in place, covered solid tonneau.