Iconic British sports car manufacturer, Bristol Cars, has gone into administration after 65 years in business.

The company which specialises in hand built luxury sports cars and has operated from its one show room in South Kensington for the last 65 years and counts Tina Turner, U2 front man Bono and Liam Gallagher amongst their previous clients.

The car manufacturing branch of the company has gone into administration, however the customer services and sales branch of the firm is still operating. The administrators say they are optimistic about the future of this British brand and believe it can be saved.

In an attempt to keep the company afloat, the firm has been gradually shedding jobs over the course of the last few months while holding out for last minute investment to keep the company out of administration.

Bristol sports car were famously very guarded about their brand, refusing to reveal their sales figures, and reportedly, only selling sports cars to people who the former boss approved of.

Based in Filton, Bristol came into existence off the back of the Bristol Aeroplane Company, and stayed true to its aviation roots with the design of its hand crafted sports cars. The Fighter and the Blenheim were two of Bristol’s most successful and famous sports cars.