1956 Arnolt-Bristol Bolide

When the world embraced normality following World War II, civilian automobile production resumed in earnest. Despite material shortages and lacking new designs, automakers worked aggressively to meet consumer demand. Sports car development flourished, as regulations were few, and a post-World War II economic boom fostered ingenuity and creativity. Britain capitalized early with volume exports and was closely followed by Germany and Italy, with many returning G.I.s bringing them with them when they returned to the states. America had its own homegrown sporting machines and was often equipped with the most potent powertrains coming out of Detroit.

A Chicago industrialist named Stanley H. 'Wacky' Arnolt had made his fortune during World War II and used those resources to indulge his lifelong love of automobiles. He acquired an MG TC and was impressed with its performance, subsequently leading to the creation of a car dealership and import company in downtown Chicago. The cars he sold included MG, Morris, Aston Martin, Rolls-Royce, and even Bristol, eventually adding cars of his own creation to the list.

While on a business trip in 1952, Mr. Arnolt visited the Turin Auto Show where he met Nuccio Bertone. At the time, the Italian coachbuilder was on the verge of bankruptcy, and the company's future was with two MG TD-based Bertone-bodied cars. Impressed with what he saw, Mr. Arnolt placed an oder for two-hundred similar examples, and these would subsequently become known as the Arnolt MG.

Before the contract was complete, MG discontinued the TD upon which it was based (equipped with XPAG 54 horsepower engines), and only about half of the planned quantity was ever made. A suitable replacement chassis was found on the Britsol 404 series, powered by a 1,971 cubic centimeter six-cylinder engine delivering 130 brake horsepower. Mr. Arnolt purchased complete driving-chassis Bristols and sent them to Bertone's Turin factory where they received coachwork penned by Franco Scaglione. The intended low-slung appearance was hampered by the tall engine and carburetors of the Bristol 404, so Scaglione skillfully disguised the height of the engine with a raised bonnet scoop, swooping front fenders that curved into a grille area, sharply creased fender lines over the wheels, and closely set headlights that flanked a small grille.

During this time, Arnolt also had a handful of Aston Martin DB2/4 roadsters re-bodied by Bertone and sold them as Arnolt-Astons. Only three examples were built before Aston Martin put a stop to Mr. Arnolts production. Bertone was also commissioned to build a body on a 1953 Bentley R Type Continental chassis. Created for Mrs. Arnolt, the car received monogrammed flasks and glasses, a special cosmetics compartment, a gold-painted exterior, and tan hides.

The Arnolt-Bristol was introduced to the public at the London Motor Show in the fall of 1953, and the first examples arrived in the United States early in 1954. The car's sporty prowess was demonstrated by Mr. Arnolt personally as he secured a class victory at Watkins Glen. He created a racing team for the Sebring 12-hour race in 1955, where they finished 1st, 2nd, and 4th in class, earning the team trophy. Class wins were achieved at Sebring the following year and again in 1960 (1, 2, 3, 14, 22, 39 place finishes). Privateers raced the Arnolt-Britols in SCCA E-Production classes with much success.

Despite the car's impressive victories, sales were slow, and by the time production ended in December 1959, only 142 had been produced, of which 12 were written off after a fire at the factory. The car's high prices were, perhaps, a factor in the low production numbers.

Configurations
The Arnolt-Bristol was offered as a Competition, Bolide, Deluxe, and Coupe. The Competition was a minimalistic vehicle with few amenities and intended for high-speed performance. The Bolide was a version of the Competition but with a few more amenities. The Bolide added more amenities than the Competition, including side windows, a convertible top, a glove box set in the dash, and instruments mounted in a housing in front of the driver. The Coupe had pop-up headlights. Most of the car bodies were built from steel, with aluminum used for the trunk and hood.

Standard Equipment
The Arnolt-Bristols came standard with an owner's manual, sop workbook, spares manual, a complete tool kit, and a spare wheel and tire. The standard engine was the Bristol BS1 MKII six-cylinder unit.

Optional Equipment
Many performance options were offered during the Arnolt-Bristol's lengthy production lifespan, lasting from January 14, 1953, to December 12, 1959. The list includes a remote shifter, 11-inch Alfin drum brakes, a front sway bar, Borrani KO steel wheels, various rear-end gear ratios, a convertible top, and bumpers. 12-inch bell-shaped Bristol drum setup was offered late in 1959 and 1960, and front disc brakes in 1961. A special racing fuel tank was fitted to a few race cars but was never officially offered for sale to the public. Mr. Arnolt also offered neckties, Arnolt logo head scarves, Arnolt key fobs, and ice buckets.

Mechancial Specificaion
The Arnolt-Bristol had a 96-inch wheelbase, a BMW-derived 328, 1.9-liter (1,971cc) six-cylinder engine with 130 bhp at 6,000 RPM, a four-speed manual transmission, and four-wheel drum brakes. The chassis was suspended by an independent suspension setup at the front with wishbone and traverse-mounted leaf springs, while the rear used torsion bars to the live rear axle.

The Arnolt-Bristol was a combination of American money and sales talent, a British chassis and running gear, and Italian styling.

by Daniel Vaughan | Jun 2023