By Khris Bharath – September 02, 2026
Bristol Revives the V10 Fighter Using Original Unused Chassis at Salon Privé
Bristol Cars has returned to Salon Privé with one of its most distinctive modern models. The company unveiled a newly completed Fighter at Blenheim Palace, built around an original unused chassis from the production program that ended in 2011. Four additional Fighter chassis remain and will now be completed for individual customers. Bristol plans to finish each example using original drawings and components while allowing buyers to specify their preferred configuration. <- Gallery -> The Fighter was Bristol's final production model before manufacturing ended in 2011. Former Brabham Formula One engineer Max Boxstrom designed the body around aerodynamic efficiency while retaining the unusual proportions that made the car immediately recognizable. Its distinctive gullwing bodywork achieved a drag coefficient of 0.28, an impressive figure for a front-engined performance car developed more than two decades ago. The cabin remains equally distinctive, with analog instruments, a manual gear lever, a conventional handbrake, and rows of physical rotary controls. Tan leather covers nearly every visible surface, including quilted seat inserts and door panels, while the rear hatch opens to a carpeted luggage area behind the seats. Power comes from an 8.0-liter V10, mounted behind the front axle and paired with a six-speed manual transmission. Bristol says the newly completed cars will produce 525 horsepower as standard, while customers can also specify an uprated 600-horsepower version, with the company quoting a maximum speed approaching 210 mph. The Fighter's name also reflects Bristol's long connection with aviation engineering. Bristol's automotive business emerged from the Bristol Aeroplane Company after the Second World War, with the Bristol 400 arriving in 1946. The Fighter later borrowed its name from the Bristol F.2 Fighter, a two-seat aircraft produced during the First World War. “Bringing Bristol Cars back is about far more than reviving a name; it is about bringing back the spirit of a marque that has always stood apart. Bristol has a remarkable story, from its roots in aviation and engineering to the extraordinary and exclusive cars it crafted. We want to honour that heritage while giving Bristol a future that is every bit as distinctive.” - Paul King, Director of Bristol Cars The remaining four Fighters will be offered in right-hand-drive or left-hand-drive configurations, with pricing available upon application. Salon Privé continues through September 6 at Blenheim Palace, where a dedicated concours class is also celebrating Bristol's 80th anniversary. View All Supercars and Exotics for Sale Images: Bristol Cars
