1999 BRISTOL Blenheim 3 5.9L V8 4AT RWD (400 HP)

Vehicle Overview

By 1999, Bristol remained one of the last British car manufacturers under British ownership, and the boutique brand struggled to survive with a new facelift for its aging Blenheim.

The nameplate was old, and the car was not a chicken spring either. And yet, Bristol managed to update the Blenheim and keep its name alive on the market. Still, there were not too many customers for this exclusive four-seat coupe that was moved by a Chrysler engine and sported an aviation-inspired interior.

Like its predecessors, the Blenheim 3 featured a four-round headlights system that made it look like a refreshed 1980s Ford Capri. Even the shape was, overall, similar. For the 1999 version, dubbed Blenheim 3, the vehicle received a new radiator grille with a chromed horizontal slat in the middle. Like its predecessors, the car’s profile revealed a long hood and an unusually long distance between the front wheels and the A-pillar. At the back, the car got a new set of taillights, carried over from Opel Senator instead of the Opel Omega as before.

Inside, it was a mix of old and new designs. On one hand, the comfortable seats, the center console where the gear stick was placed, and the door cards belonged to the ’90s. On the other hand, the dashboard designed in the ’70s with a flat wood panel fronting the passengers and the WWII-warbirds-inspired instrument cluster were too classical. At least on top of it stood a new stereo. The cabin offered room for four adults on the front bucket seats and the rear bench.

Under the hood, there was the same 5.9-liter V8 unit from Chrysler but upgraded to deliver 350 hp. It was mated to a standard 4-speed automatic transmission. A special version, named Blenheim 3S, was available and provided more power and better brakes and suspension.