Arnolt Bristol, 1954 Bristol | Conceptcarz.com - Pictures, Pricing, Information, Wallpaper, History

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Bolide
Designer: Bertone

The Bolide body types were minimalist. They were identical to the Deluxe Roadster mechanically, but did not include such items as the Connolly leather upholstery, weather protection, or a reasonably sized windscreen.

The Bolide's were designed specifically for racing and they were rewarded with much success. At the 1955 Sebring 12 Hours race, the Arnolt Boldie's finished in first, second and fourth place in the two-liter class.

This 1954 Arnolt Bristol Bolide with coachwork by Bertone was shown at the 2006 Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance.

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Bolide
Designer: Bertone
Chassis Num: 3055

This automobile is one of 142 Arnolt Bristol cars produced. Bristol Cars Limited was a low volume manufacturer of luxury touring cars based in Filton, near Bristol, in the United Kingdom. Bristol Cars was founded shortly after World War II and was initially organized as a division of the Bristol Aeroplane Company. Their intention was to employ their skilled workforce after wartime aviation contracts began to dwindle. Bristol assumed the right to produce a pre-war BWM designed six-cylinder engine and this formed the basis of their first car, the 400.

Arnolt produced a Bristol engiend car during the 1950's from their plant in Warsaw, Indiana making it, perhaps, the only American Bristol. Arnolt ceased operations in the mid 1960's. Arnolt built these 'specials' in conjunction with the coach builder Bertone.

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Bolide
Designer: Bertone
Chassis Num: 3055

Stanley 'Wacky' Arnolt was the driving force behind the creation of the Arnolt-Bristol automobile. Arnolt was a wealthy industrialist from Indiana whose serendipitous encounter with Nuccio Bertone at the 1952 Turin Motor Show ultimately resulted in production of the Arnolt-Bristol.

The mechanical basis for the Arnolt-Bristol was a Bristol 404 chassis with a Bristol BS MK II Series engine of 130 horsepower. This chassis was bodied by Michelotti who created the actual design. There were a total of 142 cars produced with production beginning in 1953 and ending in the late 1950s. The model line-up included six coupes and the remained were Bolide or Deluxe Roadsters. The Bolide was advertised for $3,995.

The current owner of this Arnolt-Bristol Bolide, #3055, purchased the car in August of 1970. Although it has no known racing history, it has some very desirable options, including remote shifter mechanism, competition windscreen, and the very rare Borrani knock-off wheels, of which only ten sets were produced.

An American engineer named Stanley Harold 'Wacky' Arnolt was working for Waukesha Engineering Company during 1939 when the company went bankrupt. As payment for the work Stanley had done, he was awarded a patent for an outboard motor. In two short years, Arnolt had purchased two factories and production of the 'Arnolt-SeaMite' engines for American Marine was in production day and night. As a result, Arnolt made a fortune. By the end of World War II, Wacky had six factories. He switched production from engines to domestic appliances.

Arnolt ordered 200 MG TD's from Nuccio Bertone. He sold all two-hundred in the United States as Arnolt-MGs. Though they may not have been extremely fast, they were exquisit to behold. This success inspired Arnolt to continue to purchase vehicles, outfit them using famous coachwork builders, and then re-sell them to the public.

Arnolt Bristol

During the early 1950's, Arnolt realized a market for sports cars in the United States. Using a Bristol 400 chassis, modifications were named and the result was dubbed the 404. In 1954, the Arnolt Bristol was in production and featured Bertone supplied bodies. They featured hand-formed steel body and aluminum-skinned hoods. The similarities between the Shelby Cobra's and the 'Bolide' are undeniable.

The 'Bolide' was a true racing bred sports car. Without a top, carpeting, windshield wipers, or adjustable seats, the car was void of amenities and very light-weight. A 'DeLux' option was available that included these items, different dashboard, and instruments in front of the driver.

The suspension was comprised of independently sprung front wheels, wishbone arms and a transverse multi-leaf spring and anti-roll bar. The steering was rack-and-pinion.

In 1955, an Arnolt Bristol finished first in class at the 12-Hours of Sebring. Two other Arnolts finished second and fourth. The racing team, owned by the Arnolt Company, went on to win its class at Sebring in 1956 and 1960. Privately owned Arnolt Bristols were frequently seen racing in SCCA E-Production classes.

In total, only 142 Arnolt Bristols were created. Three were coupes, a few were powered by Chevrolet V8's, and a few were all-aluminum bodied cars.

Photos grouped by event
Meadow Brook Concours d'Elegance	Ault Park Concours d'Elegance	Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance	2006 17th Annual Concours d'Elegance of the Eastern United States
2005 Pittsburgh Vintage Grand Prix

1954 Arnolt Bristol
Year	1954
Make	Arnolt
Model	Bristol
Body Style	Bolide
Engine Location	Front
Drive Type	Rear Wheel
Production Years for Series	1954 - 1960
Body Designer	Bertone
Weight	2048 lbs \| 929 kg
Combined MPG	0.00

Chassis / Engine Numbers Shown
Chassis Number	3055

Engine
Engine Configuration	S
Cylinders	6
Aspiration/Induction	Normal
Displacement	1971.00 cc \| 120.3 cu in. \| 2 L.
Valves	12 valves. 2 valves per cylinder.
Valvetrain	OHV
Horsepower	132.00 BHP (97.2 KW) @ 5500.00 RPM
Torque	128.00 Ft-Lbs (173.6 NM) @ 5000.00 RPM
HP to Weight Ratio	15.5 LB / HP (Vehicles with similar ratio)
HP / Liter	66.0 BHP / Liter
Compression Ratio	9.00:1
	Vehicles with similar horsepower and weight

Transmission Information
Gears	4
Transmission	Manual
Final Drive	3.90

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