Chassis 404X/3029
- Documented by surviving Bristol and Arnolt factory records
- Originally delivered in Corsa Red with grey leather
upholstery
- Extensive recorded ownership history dating back to its 1955
sale through Rootes Motors
- Striking Bertone roadster coachwork with desirable Deluxe
specification
The Arnolt-Bristol remains one of the most charismatic
Anglo-Italian sports cars of the 1950s. Conceived by Chicago
industrialist and automobile importer Stanley H. "Wacky" Arnolt,
the cars combined Bristol engineering with dramatic Bertone
coachwork styled by Franco Scaglione. The result was a low,
purposeful roadster that paired distinctive Italian design with the
sophisticated chassis and six-cylinder performance for which
Bristol had already earned an enviable reputation.
Built in limited numbers and offered in several specifications, the
Arnolt-Bristol quickly established itself as a serious sports car
both on the road and in competition. Its combination of light
weight, excellent balance, and Bristol's refined 2-liter inline-six
made it particularly effective in endurance racing, while the
hand-built Bertone body gave it an unmistakable presence that
remains every bit as striking today.
This 1954 Arnolt-Bristol Deluxe Roadster, chassis 404X/3029, is
particularly well documented through surviving records from both
the Bristol Aeroplane Company and Arnolt. Bristol records identify
engine BS1/MkII 234, which was dyno tested by the Car Division of
the Bristol Aeroplane Company at Filton on February 15, 1952.
Arnolt's Record of Arrival, Stock & Disposal further documents
chassis 404X/3029 with engine 234. The car was shipped aboard the
Joliette in May 1954 and arrived in the United States on July 13 of
that year. Listed as model AB-BR/58 30/L, it was originally
finished in Corsa Red with grey leather upholstery and supplied
with standard steel wheels.
The Arnolt was sold through Rootes Motors on Long Island, New York,
which delivered it on February 28, 1955 under invoice 1917 to its
first owner, Myron T. Ibbotson of Utica, New York. From there,
surviving Arnolt-Bristol registry information records a lengthy
succession of owners, including Harry Mason, Carpenter & Mayforth,
Fred Grover, Al Chamberlain, Ernie Lackad, Richard S. "Don" Osgood,
Amos Roleau, Dave Dubrul, Tom Trotman, Scott Stewart, and Harold
Allen.
As offered, chassis 3029 is a stunning example of the type,
finished in red with a contrasting central black stripe over a red
leather interior, giving the already dramatic Bertone coachwork an
especially sporting appearance. The paintwork presents
exceptionally well, with the crisp appearance of a recently
restored car, while the interior is similarly fresh and taut,
remaining both inviting and comfortable. Likewise the tan
convertible top and matching side curtains are in similar
condition, but remain usable at a moments notice.
Fortunately, this Arnolt strikes just the right chord, combining
excellent cosmetic presentation with equally impressive mechanical
fitness. Benefiting from stylish Borrani wheels, overdrive and an
aluminum radiator, it is exceptionally well suited to concours,
rallies, and spirited road use alike.
The combination of Scaglione's distinctive styling, Bristol
engineering, and Arnolt's wonderfully unconventional vision make
these cars among the most memorable limited-production sports cars
of the period. With its extensive factory documentation, recorded
ownership history, and stellar presentation, this Arnolt-Bristol
Deluxe Roadster offers an excellent opportunity to enjoy one of the
great transatlantic collaborations of the 1950s.
Offers welcome and trades considered.
