CLASSICS FOR SALE: 1954 ARNOLT BRISTOLBOLIDE - Abbeyfield Sports & Classics Limited Chertsey Surrey

Thursday 5 October 2017

1954 ARNOLT BRISTOLBOLIDE - Abbeyfield Sports & Classics Limited Chertsey Surrey

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Abbeyfield Sports & Classics Limited
Chertsey Surrey
Telephone: 07767 660285
Website: http://www.abbeyfieldclassics.co.uk
e-mail: bryan@abbeyfieldclassics.co.uk

If you would like further information on any of our classics for sale or would like to make an appointment to view one, please don’t hesitate to get in touch.

1954 ARNOLT BRISTOLBOLIDE

The Arnolt-Bristol was a low volume sports car conceived by the well-known Chicago industrialist and car importer, Stanley H. “Wacky” Arnolt. Very much an international effort, the car featured a Bristol 404 chassis with the 2-litre engine constructed at their Filton factory and then exported to Carrozzeria Bertone in Turin to have their swooping coachwork fitted. The design came from the famous pen of Scaglione himself, who mastered the art of making this a very low & rakish car despite the high Bristol engine. Four levels of car were offered, the Competition which was truly stripped out road racer, the Bolide, which was slightly better appointed, Deluxe and Coupe. The car we have here is a Bolide.

Arnolt created a racing team for the Sebring 12 hour race, and at their first attempt in 1955, the cars finished 1st, 2nd, and 4th in the Sports 2000 class. They went on to compete in subsequent years with varied success. It is also believed that an Arnolt-Bristol competed in the 1957 Mille Miglia, although no details of its result are forthcoming!

In total, just 142 of the planned 200 units were built, although 12 were destroyed in a warehouse fire when new. Of the remaining 130, less than 85 are known to exist today, and with many still residing in the US, they are a very rare sight on the European circuit. Their rarity and dynamic capabilities make the Arnolt-Bristol eligible for many historic racing and rallying events the world over, including the Mille Miglia retrospective, as well as many a Concours lawn.

This example, chassis number 404/X/3065 left the Bristol factory in April 1954 bound for the USA via Bertone in Italy. Repatriated into the UK in the last few years, the car has undergone a painstaking and labour-intensive restoration back to its original colour & trim combination. Many cars have been known to have subsequently been converted to run with various different power plants, however, 3062 is fitted with the correct 2 Litre Bristol engine and is a delight to drive.

With such a rare opportunity, we are thrilled to offer this exceptionally rare car to market. For more information, or to arrange an appointment to view the car, please contact Bryan McMorran on 07767 660285 to register your interest