Car Database

As is well known to established members, the Club maintains a database containing the entire history (well, nearly!) of every Bristol car known to it. Quite apart from its value as an interesting document, many members have had cause to be grateful for information that has saved them money, or allowed them to restore their car in an authentic fashion.

This database was originally undertaken by a dedicated team of member volunteers, to all of whom a Club memorial will surely be built one day, and on (or in) which the name of JR "Bob" Charlton will have pride of place, for it was he who finally tied the whole enterprise together into a coherent database and produced our first printed Chassis List, 400 to Blenheim (now available in electronic form on the BOC Heritage Trust web site).

Now, the database is maintained online by the Club officers and its members are able to view and update their personal records.

What goes In

Naturally enough, what goes into the Database is information. Over the years, members have worked to pool information about their cars — information that can be particularly valuable when buying a new Bristol.

In more detail, a record is kept of the history of each car's registration, colour, trim colour and engine number, its ownership and work done. Obviously, some of this information is held in confidence.

Who puts it there

The database originated in a mountain of paperwork compiled by a team of Registrars, each of whom specialized in one Type. Gradually, the record has become more complete and only a relative trickle of information now comes in each year. Consequently, the bulk of the work of database maintenance now falls upon our Registrar.

Of course, everything depends upon Owners' contributing information about their Bristol cars to the Registrar. (If you are a Bristol owner, and have any information to impart that you think we may not know about your car, please do send it to us. This information is available only to the owner, the Registrar and certain Club officers. If you wish, you can use this form. If you are a member, you can review your data online.)

What comes out?

Part of the way in which the database helps members is that it sometimes makes it possible for owners to trace the original registration of their vehicle — see below. Other enquiries have related to the date of first registration, which can be quite critical for some 411s, as it affects whether they are subject to road fund duty. Only the kind of cumulative picture built up by decades of information-gathering makes this possible.

The car database is now available online to members, who can see their cars' full history.

Recovery of Original Registration

All UK DVLA form V765 enquiries for Original Registration Mark Recovery are handled by the Registrar.

Form V765 is available complete with full guidance notes at all Post Offices that handle vehicle licensing, as well as at all VROs, upon production of qualifying original documentation: certified copies of your original log books and vehicle documents, original road tax discs, MOT certificates etc.

Along with certified copies previously mentioned, you will normally have to supply photographs of the vehicle, showing front, rear, engine compartment and interior - to demonstrate that the vehicle is ready for road use. You should also supply photographs of VIN and engine plates. Rubbings from these plates may be required in lieu of a physical inspection, and finally the Licensing VRO may ask for their appointed inspector to view the vehicle by local arrangement.

Wherever possible, do not post original documents to anyone. They can seldom be replaced if lost in transit.

This service is operated free of charge to paid-up BOC UK Members. Non Members will be charged £30. Such payments, where due, must be made by a crossed valid cheque made out to the Bristol Owners' Club.