1969 Bristol 411 6.3 V8 Review and Performance Comparison

Bristol 411 Performance Review.

Introduction:

The 1969 Bristol 411 6.3 V8 is a powered by a Petrol V 8. This variant of the Bristol 411 6.3 V8 is the 3 speed / Auto version and was first brought out around 1969. This was at around the same time as the introduction of the 1970 Monteverdi Hai 450 SS and the 1969 McLaren M6 GT 5.7 V8.

This particular Bristol 411 has a 6286cc Naturally Aspirated Petrol powerplant driven by the Bristol Rear Wheel Drive system.

Alternative Petrol V 8's include the 2023 Dodge Challenger SRT Demon 170

The 411 shares its Petrol V 8 engine configuration with the likes of the 2023 Dodge Challenger SRT Demon 170 and the 2023 Ferrari SF 90 XX Spider 4.0 V8 Turbo.If you're looking for other similar performing cars which share the 411's Rear Wheel Drive, Saloon combination then how about the 1985 Alfa-Romeo Spider Veloce or the earlier 1982 Fiat X1/9 1.5 8V.

Power and Weight:

Weighing in at 1676 kgs (3694 lbs) places the Bristol 411 6.3 V8 in a similar weight category as the 2025 Ferrari 849 Testarossa Spider and the excellent 2024 Chevrolet Corvette ZR1 Turbo, give or take 50kg.

The Bristol 411 shares the same bhp with the 2024 Audi A3 S3 Sedan (328 bhp)

In terms of pure power the 6286cc 16 valve, V 8 engine produces around 335 bhp (249 kW) @ 5200 rpm which is comparable to the 2024 Audi A3 S3 Sedan (328 bhp) and also the 2024 Audi A3 S3 Sportback (328 bhp).

The Naturally Aspirated V 8 throws out 425 lb-ft (576.2 Nm) @ 3400 rpm placing it with cars of similar torque performance figures such as the 2025 Maserati GranTurismo 490 (443 lb-ft) or the 2025 Maserati GranCabrio 490 (443 lb-ft).

Power to Weight:

If you look at both power or torque of the 1969 Bristol 411 in comparison with its weight you get a much more accurate idea of its real world performance.

The 2020 BYD Han High Performance (224.4 bhp per ton) has similar Bhp Per Ton stats as the Bristol 411.

The Bristol 411 has a power to weight ratio of 199.8 bhp per ton. Bhp per ton figures of the 1969 411 6.3 V8 means you're competing with the 2020 BYD Han High Performance (224.4 bhp per ton) and the equally quick 2004 Mercedes C Class 55 AMG (224.4 bhp per ton).

Torque to Weight:

If you agree with the late great Carroll Shelby then arguably an even better indicator of potential performance is Torque!. However, torque isn't the whole story, you also need to compare weight as well for more real world comparisons such as torque per ton.

The Bristol 411 6.3 V8 generates around 253.5 lb-ft per ton. So if you're looking at what cars perform similarly either on the drag strip or at the traffic lights using torque to weight as a benchmark, then look no further than the 2024 Mercedes G Class G 580 EQ (278.4 lb-ft per ton) or the similarly performing 2017 Mercedes GT AMG Roadster (278.4 lb-ft per ton).

Acceleration:

The Bristol 411 6.3 V8 can accelerate 0–60mph in 7.00 secs or 0–100km/h (0–62mph) in 7.2 secs. Acceleration rivals to the Bristol 411 6.3 V8 include the 2022 BYD Dolphin FWD (7.00 secs) or the equally as fast to 60mph 2020 Alfa-Romeo Giulia 2.2 16v Turbo Diesel (7.00 secs).

The V 8 engine of the Bristol 411 6.3 V8 ensures that, ‘on paper’ at least, accelerates slightly faster than the 2018 Abarth 595 Turismo 1.4 Turbo (7.10 secs) and the 2013 Land-Rover Range Rover Sport 3.0 SDV6 (7.10 secs).

Quarter Mile time is a close race between the Bristol 411 6.3 V8 and the BMW 1 Series M135 xDrive

On a longer format for acceleration comparisons the 1969 Bristol 411 can reach a quarter mile in an estimated 14.05 secs with a trap speed around 96.9 mph. Similar performances down the quarter mile drag strip can be found with the the BMW 1 Series M135 xDrive (14.06 seconds @ 96.9 mph) and a close race between the Ford Focus ST 2.3 EcoBoost (14.06 seconds @ 96.9 mph) too.

Top Speed:

Some modern performance cars are often artificially restricted particularly when it comes to max speed. 155 mph top speed restrictions are often used as part of the German 'Gentleman's Agreement' for example, so be cautious when using maximum speed figures. The 1969 version of the Bristol 411 6.3 V8 has a maximum speed of 143mph.

Top Speed of the 1969 411 equals the BMW 5 Series 528i Saloon E39 (142 mph)

If maxing out your car on the AutoBahn is your thing and you're wondering what has a similar top end performance to the 1969 Bristol 411 6.3 V8 then there's the slightly slower the BMW 5 Series 528i Saloon E39 (142 mph) or how about the impressive Mercedes 190 Series E 2.3-16 (142 mph).

— AutoSnout

Figures & Specs Summary:

Related Links:

• 1969 411 Rivals List.
• 1969 411: Full Review and Comparisons.
• A Brief History of Bristol
• Compare the 1969 Bristol 411