The mention of supercars probably conjures up images of grand, low-slung, super-low-profile cars like the McLaren McL 6GT or the Lamborghini Revuelto. Well, not the Bristol Fighter. Bristol what? And Fighter? If those names sound alien to you, well, you are not alone. Bristol, while a genuinely historic British marque, was extremely small and obscure, so not knowing it is understandable.
The company went into liquidation in 2020, following the end of manufacturing in 2011. But the marque has returned in 2026 under Paul King, starting by completing an unfinished example of its early-2000s two-seat supercar, the Fighter.
To be clear, the Fighter did reach production back then. This revival involves five original, unused chassis left over from that era. One car is now complete, with four more to follow. The first, finished in black over tan, was unveiled at Salon Privé at Blenheim Palace on September 2, 2026.
The Fighter is a handsome ride with some good claimed numbers, but more on those in a bit. It does not have what I think of as the familiar silhouette of a supercar, but it is one.
Anyhoo, Bristol originally grew out of the Bristol Aeroplane Company’s postwar diversification. Its car-making history dates to 1946, producing small numbers of hand-built luxury cars with an emphasis on engineering and individuality. Like Saab, its aviation lineage is not just a name. It’s actual company history. Not just a designer saying the headlights resemble a fighter jet or a homage to a specific aircraft.
The ride combines gull-wing doors—a feature loved by supercar and hypercar makers—and serious performance with grand-touring comfort. Its Dodge Viper-derived 8.0-liter V10 produces a healthy 525 bhp as standard, with an optional upgrade to 600 bhp. Bristol claims a top speed of up to 210 mph (338 km/h). That American engine connection is quite something beneath the British bodywork.
It is not an off-the-shelf car, though. The four remaining Fighters will be offered for purchase in the coming months, built using original unused chassis, drawings, and parts. Buyers can choose their specifications, including right- or left-hand drive. This means the sticker is price on application.
The cars will be completed in the UK with a manufacturing partner Bristol has yet to name. Richard Hackett, who worked closely with former Bristol boss Tony Crook during the original Fighter era, also returns as chairman. The comeback coincides with the 80th anniversary of Bristol’s first car.
Anyhoo, so yeah, the obscure British manufacturer has returned by finishing the V10 supercars it never completed. Quite the way to clear a backlog, eh?
Images: bristol-cars.co.uk.
