The grand old city of Bristol has a proud manufacturing history, from ships to planes to cars. But recently it was announced that one of its famous old brands is at risk of disappearing for good – namely Bristol Cars. The company, which has been giving us beautiful old hand built cars since 1946, has been taken into receivership. But while there will be immediate redundancies, the administrators say they hope to find a buyer very soon. The pleading notes of ‘rescue my car company’ can be heard rising over Bristol as I write.

It is indeed sad to see another old brand face the pan, but competition for luxury and sports cars has arguably never been so fierce. I have to admit I wasn’t very familiar with the Bristol Cars brand before I heard about their financial troubles, but it turns out they used to build aeroplanes during the war, before turning their skills to the production of delightful motors such as the Blenheim and the Fighter – names inspired by their aeronautical past.

Looking at the Bristol Cars website, I can see a proud little quote stating “Bristol is the only remaining luxury car manufacturer under British control”; looks like the site could do with a bit of an update now. It is indeed sad to see another famous brand go, but there is a good chance it will get snapped up by some bigger car company – although probably not British, seeing as there aren’t any left to buy it!

It is tempting to feel a little despondent when such acquisitions take place, but while names like Jaguar, Rolls Royce and Bentley are under the auspices of overseas motor corporations, we should perhaps take solace in the fact that cars are still built here, and that their heritage, somehow, remains intact.

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