1949 Bristol 402 Drophead Coupe
A very rare 1949 Bristol 402 Drophead Coupé was the star of the weekend’s Bonhams MPH Beaulieu Sale. The car was gifted new to Hollywood actress Jean Simmons, it was a matching pair that her future husband and fellow star, Stewart Granger got for them. The Hollywood couple used it frequently to promote the 1949 movie Adam and Evelyne that the couple starred in.
The car was fitted with a racing Frazer Nash 2.0-litre engine after it was sold by Simmons to former Bristol Cars boss, Tony Crook. This is the powerplant that remains in the 402 today.
The Bristol 402 drophead coupé was even more exclusive than the saloon, with just 24 produced between 1949 and 1950, of which it is estimated that fewer than half remain today.
These British Hollywood A-listers purchased a pair of identical 402s from Anthony Crook Motors Ltd in Caterham in 1949, with ex-racing driver and Battle of Britain pilot Crook ultimately going on to buy and run Bristol Cars for many years some time later.
