1954 Arnolt Bristol Bolide

Number of cylinders: 6

Engine capacity: 1.971 cc

Manufacturer: Metropole Classics BV Meubellaan 1 6651KV DRUTEN, NL 0031653328817 http://www.metropole.nl [email protected]

Arnolt-Bristol Bolide Roadster

The history of this car begins with a chance encounter at the 1953 Turin Motor Show, where American importer Stanley "Wacky" Arnolt spotted the elegant Bertone coachwork mounted on a Bristol chassis and, within a single day, struck a deal for two hundred chassis, to be shipped from Filton to Bertone in Turin. In the end, only 130 examples of this specification left the line; this chassis, number 404/X/3065, is one of them.

The car carries its original Bristol BS1 Mk2 engine, No. 269, a 1,971cc six-cylinder unit, and was fitted with Bertone coachwork, body number 404/3065. On 15 April 1954, the car left the Bristol factory in Filton and was shipped to Bristol Cars USA, where it spent its early years. It later returned to the United Kingdom, where the car remains registered today on UK plates as a historic vehicle, its chassis, engine, and factory details confirmed by a Heritage Certificate issued by Bristol Cars Limited.

Between 2015 and 2017, the car underwent a thorough restoration to concours standard. The accompanying documentation, including workshop photographs from bare panelwork through to the fully assembled bodywork, together with invoices from specialist restorers covering, among other things, the front suspension, shows a restoration that was taken back to the frame, with nothing left to chance.

This Bolide Roadster, one of only 130 examples built and documented in Octane magazine, represents a rare opportunity for the collector seeking an early post-war collaboration between British engineering and Italian coachwork. Built in 1954, this Arnolt-Bristol also falls within the period recognised for eligibility by the modern Mille Miglia, placing participation in one of the world's most celebrated regularity rallies within reach of this car.

Interested, or have questions about this Arnolt-Bristol? Please feel free to get in touch for further documentation, photographs, or a viewing.