Arnolt-Bristol

Roadster

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Lamborghini Paramus

We are proud to present our extraordinary 1954 Arnolt-Bristol Bolide Roadster, a rare and beautifully restored example of one of the most distinctive Anglo-Italian sports cars ever produced. Believed to be 1 of just 85 surviving examples from the original production of 142 cars, this particular Bolide is further distinguished as 1 of fewer than 10 examples equipped with the highly sought after factory Borrani knock off wheels. This remarkable car benefits from an incredible 56 years of single enthusiast ownership, a testament to its significance and desirability. During that time, it was comprehensively restored by noted specialist Skip McCabe of Chicago, Illinois, with exceptional attention to detail throughout. The car is exquisitely finished in Ferrari Del Rio Green, a striking and elegant color choice inspired by a Ferrari 275 and carefully paint matched during the restoration process, giving this example a truly unique and captivating presence. The Arnolt-Bristol story is one of innovation and collaboration. Stanley Harold Wacky Arnolt, a successful American industrialist and importer, partnered with Italian design house Bertone to create a lightweight, performance focused sports car built on the Bristol 404 chassis. Designed by Franco Scaglione, the Bolide variant was intended for competition use, featuring a minimalist and purposeful design with no bumpers or weather equipment, emphasizing performance and weight reduction. Power comes from a Bristol 2.0 liter inline six cylinder engine, derived from BMW engineering and known for its advanced design including hemispherical combustion chambers. This finely tuned powerplant delivers an engaging and spirited driving experience, paired with a four speed manual transmission. Additional performance features include Alfin drum brakes, an optional anti roll bar, an extended remote manual shifter, and a competition style windshield, all contributing to its race inspired character. Adding to its rarity and provenance, the Borrani knock off wheels were sourced directly in period from Wacky Arnolts son, making this car even more special among the already limited production. These wheels were originally a rare factory option, produced in extremely small numbers, often reserved for competition cars. This Arnolt-Bristol has been enjoyed and admired across the country and presents beautifully today, offering a raw and immersive open air driving experience that is both exhilarating and unique. Accompanying the car is a tool roll, owners manuals, spare wheel, and a large collection of hard to find spare parts, further enhancing its appeal for collectors and enthusiasts alike. Eligible for prestigious historic events including the Mille Miglia, this 1954 Arnolt-Bristol Bolide Roadster represents a rare opportunity to acquire a significant piece of automotive history. With its exceptional provenance, long term ownership, rare factory options, and striking presentation, it is ideally suited for concours display, vintage rallies, or spirited driving enjoyment.

Green

Beige

Offered here is an extraordinary piece of postwar motoring history: a 1956 Arnolt-Bristol Bolide Roadster, chassis #404 X 3019. Known as the Bolide (Italian for shooting star) this model represented the lightweight racing specification, distinguished from its Deluxe counterpart by its horizontal dashboard layout, racing windscreen, and purposeful omission of bumpers and weather gear. Built with competition in mind, it embodied the American vision of Stanley H. Wacky Arnolt, paired with British engineering and Italian design. This particular car carries a storied past. Delivered new to Edmund Ed Rahal of Savannah, Georgia (second cousin to racing legend Bobby Rahal) it was one of three Arnolt-Bristols campaigned in E-Production racing across the Southeast. The trio, finished in striking red with white stripes, were modified for competition, including the installation of then-cutting-edge Triumph TR-3 disc brakes. Rahall's sportsmanship even caught Arnolt's personal attention after he famously pushed his car across the finish line at Boca Raton, earning a congratulatory letter from the company's founder. As was common in the period, when the original Bristol engine succumbed to the rigors of racing, a small-block Chevrolet V8 was installed. Fortunately, under the stewardship of later owner Kevin Fitzgerald, the car was restored and fitted once again with its proper 2.0-liter Bristol inline-six. Fitzgerald campaigned the car in VSCCA competition for 16 years before it passed into the care of its previous longtime enthusiast owner, Chuck Schoendorf. Today, our car presents beautifully, showing just 14,301 miles believed to have accumulated since restoration in the 1990s. Inside, its purposeful yet comfortable cockpit offers more space than many contemporaries. Wide door panels and generous seating make long-distance tours practical, a trait Schoendorf proved by entering the car in prestigious driving events including the New England 1000, Copperstate 1000, and international rallies across Italy, Sicily, and Israel. The mechanicals are equally engaging. The Bristol straight-six, fed by triple Solex carburetors, produces 130 horsepower at 5,500 rpm, with a broad torque curve that makes the Bolide docile at low speeds yet exhilarating when the cam profile awakens under throttle. Mated to a four-speed gearbox with overdrive, the car cruises effortlessly at highway speeds yet remains eager on twisty back roads. Period Smiths instrumentation spans the dash, providing both elegance and clarity. Designed by Franco Scaglione at Bertone, the Arnolt-Bristol's bodywork is distinctive, defined by its sharp fender creasesan aesthetic precursor to the lines later immortalized on the Corvette Sting Ray. Constructed in steel to preserve these aggressive forms, the design stands as an acquired taste that rewards the discerning eye. The cars stance is tall and commanding, yet on the road it feels remarkably planted, with none of the nervousness one might expect from its proportions. On paper and in person, the Arnolt-Bristol represents an inspired collaboration: a British chassis, German-engineered power, Italian design, and American entrepreneurial vision. Weighing just over 2,100 pounds with near-perfect 49/51 weight distribution, it was one of the most cosmopolitan sports cars of its era. Chassis #404 X 3019 is more than a collector car, it is a rolling testament to mid-century motorsport. With its authentic competition history, careful restoration, and long record of active use, it stands as one of the finest opportunities to acquire an Arnolt-Bristol Bolide Roadster available today.

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