Vehicle Description
Chassis No. 404/X/3077
Engine No. BS1 MKII 283
The Arnolt-Bristol was the inspired result of American ambition,
British engineering, and Italian craftsmanship-a transatlantic
collaboration led by Stanley H. "Wacky" Arnolt. Designed with
performance and elegance in mind, the car featured advanced
aerodynamic principles and a featherweight chassis, giving it an
exceptional power-to-weight ratio in the two-liter class. Built on
the Bristol 404 platform and bodied by Bertone, the Arnolt-Bristol
maintained exceptional road-holding through the curves and
exhibited powerful braking for the era.
Offered in three configurations-Roadster, Coupe, and the more
refined Deluxe Convertible-the Deluxe model combined performance
with luxury. It featured inset headlamps, a sloping hood, and
streamlined fenders, along with deep-cushioned bucket seats and a
finely upholstered interior in crushed-grain leather. With superb
handling and distinctive styling, the Arnolt-Bristol Deluxe
appealed to both spirited drivers and connoisseurs of fine
automobiles, with S. H. Arnolt's period advertising calling it "the
world's most distinguished sports car."
It is believed that Arnolt-Bristol chassis number 3077 was raced
very early in its life by Virginia Schleicher. Schleicher, who
raced an MG TD in 1954, is reported to have been behind the wheel
of this DeLuxe Convertible with start number 188 at Watkins Glen
for the Seneca Cup races during the 1955 Grand Prix weekend-the
last such races at The Glen on public roads. The Arnolt-Bristol was
later acquired by Michael Arnolt, the son of company founder
Stanley "Wacky" Arnolt. Few can claim to have owned a production
automobile built by a family member-let alone one crafted under the
direction of their own father! In 2019, Michael Arnolt parted ways
with his Arnolt-Bristol, selling it to the current owner - a
devoted enthusiast of the marque himself, who at one time owned a
half-dozen Arnolt-Bristols!
Upon acquisition, the decision was made to embark on a full and
comprehensive restoration. Images and invoices on file totaling
well-over $100,000 from 2019 to 2022 detail the painstaking effort
to fully return the rare DeLuxe to better-than-new condition. M.C.
Bodyworks conducted the restoration to the Bertone aluminum body
which was taken down to bare metal with thorough rust repairs
before metal finishing and applying the silver metallic paint with
a red central racing stripe that carries through to the cockpit on
the dashboard. U.K.-based INRacing supplied new Bristol engine
components to Automotive Machine Shop who expertly rebuilt the
2.0-liter straight-six. Red Car Restorations handled the assembly
of the car with innumerable sundry components sourced and restored
with the result one of passion for the marque and exceptional
attention to detail throughout. Finally, a set of Borrani-style
wheels were added to the car, identical to period optional units
fitted to a very few Arnolt-Bristols - further enhancing both this
example's beauty and accentuating its sporting character.
Beautifully finished and mechanically freshened, chassis 3077 is a
standout example of this postwar Anglo-Italian-American
collaboration. It is eligible for premier historic touring events
such as the California Mille and Colorado Grand, and with the
delightful power curve and sounds emanating from its Bristol
straight six, we suspect every mile will be a joy.
