14th Mar, 2009 15:10

Stoneleigh Park

 
  Lot 37
 

1954 Arnolt Bristol Bolide

Sold for £118,125

(including buyers premium)


Lot details
Registration No: 655 XUN
Chassis No: 404X3057
Mot Expiry: Nov 2009

Stanley Harold `Wacky' Arnolt made a small fortune selling engines and other equipment to the armed forces during World War Two. A former mechanical engineering graduate from the University of Wisconsin and lifelong petrolhead, he set up S.H. Arnolt Inc in Chicago during the late 1940s to distribute MGs and other European imports. A visitor to the 1952 Turin Salon, Arnolt came across a MG TD-based coupe and convertible on the Bertone stand. Smitten by the Italian carrozzeria's work he promptly ordered 100 of each which left Nuccio Bertone somewhat flabbergasted. Production of the Arnolt MG began shortly thereafter and things went well until after about 100 cars had been made MG announced that it could no longer supply powered chassis to Bertone. However, by then Arnolt had invested heavily in Bertone's assembly capabilities and even become one of the Turin firm's directors. After a brief dalliance with Aston Martin, the American entrepreneur successfully negotiated the purchase of 200 404-series chassis and tuned 1971cc engines from Bristol Cars Ltd. Charged with styling the nascent Arnolt Bristol was new Bertone designer / aerodynamicist Franco Scaglione (who would go on to create the famous Alfa Romeo B.A.T. concept cars). To distract the eye from the engine's height (a corollary of its triple Solex downdraught carburetors) and the box-section chassis' compact 96-inch wheelbase, Scaglione clothed the two-seater with a mixture of swooping curves and sharp edges.

Predominantly bodied in steel with an aluminium bonnet and boot, the Arnolt Bristol could be had in roadster or coupe guises (though, just six of the latter were built). However, the roadster was sub-divided into three distinct specifications namely: Competition (pared back racer), Bolide (marginally more civilized) and DeLuxe (full-height windscreen, side windows, convertible roof, glovebox etc). Benefiting from independent transverse-leaf front suspension, a well-located `live' rear axe (via longitudinal torsion bars) and four-wheel drum brakes, the model became renowned for its fine roadholding and balance. Typically developing 130bhp @ 5,500rpm on a 9:1 compression ratio, the Bristol BS1 MKII straight-six was allied to four-speed manual transmission. After testing an Arnolt Bristol in February 1956, Road & Track magazine announced the figures it set (0-60mph in 10.1 seconds and 107mph) were "the best we have ever recorded for a two-litre machine". Leaving the Bristol factory as a powered chassis, each car was then bodied at Bertone before arriving at the Arnolt factory where the finishing touches were applied. Predictably expensive given that it was effectively hand-built across two continents, the sports car could also be had with a variety of options including: a front anti-roll bar, remote shifter, Alfin brake drums, convertible top, bumpers, Borrani KO steel wheels and different back axle ratios etc, while disc brakes were often retro-fitted during the 1960s.

With its low kerb weight (circa 990kg), punchy engine and progressive handling, the model had obvious potential as a racer. Assembling a team of special lightweight cars for the 1955 Sebring 12-hours, Arnolt was rewarded with a 1st, 2nd and 4th finish in the Sports 2000 class. The following year his cars took 2nd and 3rd in class. While in 1957, the Works team withdrew after a fatal accident involving driver Bob Goldich but a privateer Arnolt-Bristol claimed 5th in class. The marque's final class win came during 1960 when the team crossed the line in 14th, 22nd and 39th places overall. Although, no longer competitive in international events, Arnolt Bristols continued racking up SCCA class wins until well into the 1960s. Interestingly, `Wacky' Arnolt entered an Arnolt Bristol Bolide for himself to drive on the 1955 Mille Miglia but never made it to the start line. Built between January 1953 and December 1959, just 142 Arnolt Bristols of all types are thought to have been made. A factory fire resulted in a dozen cars being written off (though, some are thought to have been bought back by the Arnolt company to use as spares). Thus, the best current guess is that something like 85 cars have survived. `Wacky' Arnolt died in 1960 which signalled the beginning of the end for the company that bore his name. His cars, however, live on enjoying a legacy that has little to do with their meagre production numbers but a lot to do with their competition pedigree and outlandish looks.

Supplied new as a Bolide model and as such potentially eligible to compete on the Mille Miglia Storica, this particular example - chassis number 404X3057 - has only recently been imported from America. While little is known about its early history the car is rumoured to have raced with the SCCA in the Oklahoma area during the 1960s. Since arriving in this country, the car has been treated to extensive restoration work (amounting to nearly £40,000 over the last 6 months) under the supervision and guidance of Andrew Mitchell (whose Mitchell Motors concern specialises in Bristol cars and engines). The two-seater is now resplendent in Aston Martin Gunmetal Grey with Chestnut leather upholstery. Thoroughly overhauled by Mitchell Motors, we are informed that the correct type BS1 MKII engine, (serial number BS1 MKII 227) presently fitted to chassis number 404X3057 began life aboard another Arnolt Bristol. Issued with the age related registration number `655 XUN' by the DVLA, the Anglo-American sports car also boasts a UK V5C Registration Document and current MOT certificate. Believed but not warranted by the seller to be "one of twenty Bolides remaining worldwide and consequently a potential winner of any Drum-Braked Sportscar Series as well as all the usual European jollies", chassis number 404X3057 is offered for sale with sundry paperwork including "one of the rare and highly prized Workshop manuals" (the latter generally being regarded as the best of their kind ever produced by Bristol).
 

All successful bids must be paid in full by midday the day after the auction at the latest.

You can collect your new pride and joy from our venue until 1pm the day following the sale or our partners are on hand to help arrange safe transportation:

               

Auction: Stoneleigh Park, 14th Mar, 2009

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