Quite a few books have been written on Bristol bearing in mind the size of the manufacturer. My general impressions of the book (where I am in the position to comment) follow. These books can be located from the usual sources - amazon.com, motorbooks.com, motorbooks.co.uk, Ebay, Yahoo! auctions - with some patience and diligence.
The first book written on Bristol by the well known motoring journalist L.J.K. Setright. It provides decent coverage of the 6 cylinder cars. Obviously, given the date of publication, the 30 pages dedicated to the V8 models cannot be criticised. It's a slim volume but if you enjoy Setright's esoteric style then it's an elegant read. The book is sometimes criticised for its inaccuracies in specification and lore (on this point his work is superior). There are many fine illustrations and photographs though none are colour. The main problem with the book is getting one. It's rare to find a copy for less than $100. I would rank it third in Bristol "essential texts".
The next book to be released. The late Mr. Oxley was president of the Bristol Owners Club for many years. Apparently a fine book though I have not read it. Also very hard to get a hold of though not quite as desirable as either of the Setright books.
In some ways Oxley's second book is an "improved" version of the first. Slightly longer, better illustrated and published by a better known publisher. Coverage of the 6 cylinder cars is comprehensive. Oxley is particularly strong on the origins of the company following the war, the relationship with Aldington and the BMW derived engine. He pays scant attention to the V8 models, compressing them into the final chapter. The better of the two Oxley books and also difficult to locate.
There was an earlier softback edition of the Gold Portfolio published around 1992. A limited run of hardbacks was produced for the updated volume, the remainder were softbacks. This is a collection of articles from newspapers and magazines; some are roadtests, press releases, "adventure" pieces, and advertisements. It's a very interesting book to have and I find it to be the resource I most often refer to. The articles selected provide a relatively balanced view of Bristol. Since Bristol news items are rare it is very pleasing to be able to observe how Bristol is perceived by the press. There is no particular difficulty in laying your hands on a copy. I would rank it second in the "essential texts".
The big kahuna! The most comprehensive work on the marque and the best by a long margin. Beautifully illustrated, laid out and presented. Volume One - The Word - contains Setright's tex. It's written as a story of the company from day one to the time of writing. It includes the author's very own digressions on life, engineering, &c., but is always an entertaining and enlightening read. It lacks the structure required to make it a reference but that's not how it's intended - it's a history. Volume Two - The Image - contains colour photographs of each of the models (including the Zagato variants).
Two editions were produced. 100 copies were bound in nubuck with a special photo and hub cap badge on the slip case and the other 900 were clothbound in a slip case. Fabulously expensive when new, I believe the last copies have been sold (3 years later!). On occasion used copies become available at when new cost of $500 or so. I imagine this book will not get cheaper. A Private Car ranks first in "essential texts".
Another collection of advertisements, articles and roadtests. I am not a huge fan of this collection for the reason that it consists of advertisements for the most part. Most of the articles can be found in the Gold Portfolio. The old Bristol advertisements are a product of their time and have a commercial thrust which is no longer evident at the manufacturer. It will take about an hour to read this. Relatively cheap but I would not go out of my way to find it.
Although this is in a similar vein to the Transport Source Book, I think it would be a valuable source of information to Bristol owners who have misplaced their owners manual. It contains service information reprints for the 6 cylinder and early V8 cars. For that alone it's worth finding. The smattering of articles and advertisements are better covered by the Gold Portfolio.
This is available for members from the Reprint Secretary of the Bristol Owners Club. A looseleaf, hole punched book with a run down of the models and brief description which is useful to assist in distinguishing between models. If you take a look at the Gallery section of the Bristol Owners Club website you will get a sense of what the book consists of and how it's laid out. It's a reference book in the strict sense. The Reprint Secretary can also provide members with reprints of owners manuals, parts books and a chassis list (out of date).
A new book, not yet published though judging by the projected cover price, it will be a "short" history.
The Owners Club produce a glossy bulletin a three times each year and a smaller Newsletter every 2 months. The Bulletin is good and has lovely pictures and articles. The Newsletter has a good classifed section.
Published around 1999 features extensive history and specification of the engine. Lets you know the casting numbers, standard equipment and available factory performance parts with recommendations based on proposed application. Partially a sales brochure for Mopar Performance but great reference. Only brief coverage of the earlier semi-hemi engine.
Same concept as the Small block engine book. Worthwhile.
Chrysler/Plymouth/Dodge have released numerous model specific factory manuals. Selecting the appropriate model in the same model year as your Bristol can provide you with an engine/transmssion how-to. For example, the Plymout Valiant workshop manual through 1965 will work for the 408/409/410 engine. Select a 1963 and earlier for the pushbutton transmission. Later workshop brochures are not model specific, instead they are divided into 2 volumes, chassis and body. Only the chassis volume will be relevant for the Bristol owner. These manual are available from swap meet vendors and EBay.
Haynes manual covers the small block 318 and 360 engines through the time Chrysler stopped fitting them in passenger cars. For the Blenheim owner who indulges in DIY, the Dodge Dakota/Durango Haynes manual or the Dodge Van manual will cover the later, Magnum engine. The only commercial workshop book I know of, it has all the limitations and frustrations of other Haynes publications. It tries to cover an enormous range of models so specifics are scant.
Most Bristol V8 cars (until replaced by fuel injection) were fitted with Carter AFB, BBD or Thermoquad carburetors. Assists in the rebuild of carbs, selection of jets, metering rods, matching manifold. Not a bad book but first written in the late 1970's so the part numbers are out of date. The only Carter specific book still in print that I have come across. Despite that, about half of the book could be found in a generic carburetor book.
Some of the big block engines fitted to Bristols (411s1 through the 412) used Holley carburettors. Very similar to the Carter book except that it's been updated more recently. There are other Holley books out there too.
Covers LA engines only (not the semi-hemi). Since the book was published quite a while ago, it's usefulness is limited to its workshop manual like procedures. Designed as a guide for a full strip and rebuild and if you want to converse knowledgeably with your machine shop.
I don't know much about this book but I imagine it follows the same format as the small block book from the same publisher.
This books contains a selection of articles from Hot Rod Magazine and Car Craft advising on the best course of action to upgrade the performance of your Mopar V8. It's a recent-ish publication (most of the articles are mid-1990's) so you can actually use it to track down parts recommendations. Unless you own many different V8's, there's probably only one or two articles of interest. Buying one of the Chrysler specific tuning magazine will get you to the same place.
Written in the late 1970's so it's out of date. The Mopar Performance Big Block and Small Block Engine books do the same thing and more but are superior in every respect.
Glossy catalogue, costs $5.00 and lists all the new and wonderful parts from Mopar Performance. Look at that Viper V10 crate engine and dream!
Best selling Mopar magazine. Designed for those interested in the primary sport of Mopar owners - drag racing. Unless you are focused on improving your Bristol's 1/4 mile sprint times, not really worth subscribing to. Popular Hotrodding, Car Craft and Mopar Muscle provide a similar experience. These magazines tend to focus on big block motors and extreme horsepower mania.
Bob Schmitt maintains a bibliography of Frazer Nash titles here.