Arnolt-Bristol Roadster 1954
General description :
The Arnolt-Bristol is a low weight sports car. It was the brainchild of Chicago based industrial designer and car importer Mr Stanley H "Wacky” Arnolt. He married the Bristol 404’s 2.0 l engine and chassis with a body styled, once again, by Bertone, who created uniquely flamboyant lines with high swooping fenders. The underbody and engine were built at the Bristol works in Filton, England and the bodywork, designed by Scaglione himself, was carried out at the Carrozzeria Bertone works in Turin, Italy. Scaglione managed to fit the relatively high engine in the elegant, low-slung, sports car. Of the 4 variants produced, the Competition, The Bolide, The Deluxe and the Coupe, the car we have is the Bolide version, the more luxurious version of the Competition. This Arnolt-Bristol left the factory in April 1954 and was shipped to the States by Bertone. The last few years the car has been registered in the UK, where it has undergone a meticulous nut-and-bolt restoration of the car to its original condition. The result is wonderfully straight bodywork with perfect panel fittings. The car has a correct 2.0 Bristol engine. This cars performance is really fantastic. The restoration process has been documented with many 100`s of photos and invoices. Octane magazine featured a 7-page article on this car. "Wakey” formed a racing team that in `55 went on to finish first, second, and fourth in the Sports 2000 class at the 12 Hours of Sebring. No bad for a first try! Of the intended 200 cars, only 142 were ever built. 12 cars perished in a factory fire. Of the other 130, less than 85 remain in circulation today. Thanks to the rarity of this dynamic sports car, the Arnolt-Bristol is more than suitable to participate in historic rallies and races around the globe, such as the Mille Miglia, the Rallye Automobile de Monte-Carlo as well as the many Concours d'Elegance. This is this is inarguably one of the nicest Arnolt-Bristols in existence today and a chance for you to own this rarely available piece of automotive history.
http://www.gallery-aaldering.com/arnolt-bristol-bolide-2-litre-roadster-mille-miglia-eligible-only-142-ever-made-fully-restored-condition-en
1954 Arnolt-Bristol Roadster is listed sold on ClassicDigest in Brummen by Gallery Dealer for €305000.
Car Facts
Car type : Car Make : Arnolt-Bristol Model : Roadster Engine size : 0.0 Model Year : 1954 Sub type : Convertible Location : Brummen
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About Arnolt-Bristol
Arnolt-Bristol was an automotive collaboration between Stanley H. "Wacky" Arnolt, an American businessman, and the British car manufacturer Bristol Cars. The partnership resulted in the production of a series of sports cars in the 1950s. Here's an overview of Arnolt-Bristol's history, notable models, their specifications, and their cultural context:1. History: In the early 1950s, Wacky Arnolt sought to import European sports cars to the United States. He formed a partnership with Bristol Cars, which supplied chassis and engines, while Carrozzeria Bertone in Italy handled the coachwork. The result was the creation of unique and stylish sports cars that blended British mechanicals with Italian design.
2. Notable Models:
- Arnolt-Bristol Bolide: Introduced in 1953, it featured a lightweight roadster body designed by Bertone. It was powered by a Bristol six-cylinder engine, offering strong performance and handling.
- Arnolt-Bristol Deluxe: This variant featured a more refined interior with amenities such as leather seats and a convertible top.
- Arnolt-Bristol Coupe: A small number of coupes were produced, featuring a sleek two-door body style with a fixed roof.
3. Specifications: The Arnolt-Bristol cars were typically powered by Bristol's 2.0-liter inline-six engine, which produced around 130 horsepower. They featured a lightweight construction, independent suspension, and four-wheel disc brakes, which contributed to their sporty handling characteristics.
4. Cultural Context: The Arnolt-Bristol cars represented a blend of American, British, and Italian automotive influences. They appealed to enthusiasts looking for something distinctive and exclusive. The combination of British engineering and Italian styling resulted in eye-catching designs that stood out among other sports cars of the era. The cars were seen as exotic and stylish, attracting attention from both automotive enthusiasts and the general public.
Despite the initial success and positive reception, production of Arnolt-Bristol cars was relatively limited, with around 142 examples built between 1953 and 1959. Today, these cars are considered rare and highly collectible, reflecting their unique blend of British engineering and Italian design. They represent an interesting chapter in automotive history, showcasing the creative collaborations between different countries and manufacturers during the mid-20th century.