Despite his nickname—earned after a WWII-era publicity stunt performed on Lake Michigan to promote his outboard marine motors—Chicago entrepreneur Stanley “Wacky” Arnolt was very serious about his automotive ambitions. An importer of British marques after the war, Arnolt’s interest grew to include building cars of his own. Impressed with Nuccio Bertone’s work after encountering it at the 1952 Turin Motor Show, Arnolt would use his carrozzeria initially for specially bodied MGs, followed by a short-run of Aston Martins, and then, finally, the dashing Arnolt-Bristols.

The Arnolt-Bristols were based on the British-made Bristol 404 chassis and powered by a Bristol-built, BMW-derived hemi-headed triple-carbureted 2.0-liter inline-six tuned to produce 130 horsepower and mated to a four-speed gearbox. The dramatic styling of the steel bodywork was penned by Franco Scaglione, who would go on to design the famous Alfa Romeo-based B.A.T. concept cars. Scaglione brilliantly accommodated the rather tall motor with a peaked hood flanked by swooping fenders, with headlamps consolidated into the small grille opening. This front-end treatment gave the roadsters an unmistakable stance; truly, nothing else on road or track looked quite like these Italo-Anglo-American machines.

Arnolt-Bristols were eventually built as basic Competition models for racing, the better-appointed Bolide, the road-oriented Deluxe, and even a few coupes, which featured pop-up headlights. The cars saw substantial success on track, with an Arnolt-backed team achieving notable class wins at the 12 Hours of Sebring in 1955 and 1960, also claiming the Team Trophy in 1955, 1956, and 1960. Of the 142 cars believed to have been completed, this Bolide roadster was the first Arnolt-Bristol built.

CHASSIS NUMBER 3000: THE PROTOTYPE

Noted in Stanley Arnolt’s personal ledger as the prototype and boasting the lowest chassis number of any Arnolt-Bristol recorded, chassis number 404/X/3000 received its Bertone bodywork by late 1953, after which it was returned to Bristol in England for further fitting and testing. Initially equipped with an FNS (Frazer Nash Specification) Bristol engine, this engine was promptly replaced by a BS1 MK II-type engine as used in the following production cars, apparently prior to export to the United States.

Arriving in New York in February 1954, it was delivered the next month to Columbus Sports Cars of Ohio. Dealer principal Robert Fergus, an enthusiastic racer, demonstrated this car’s performance potential at a race at Maryland’s Andrews Air Force Base, and apparently several other events in the Midwest, before selling it to its first private owner, Richard Ross of Columbus.

By 1957 it was in the possession of Walter Tormohlen of Indiana, who also put the Bolide through its paces on the racetrack. Perhaps seeking additional performance, he eventually fitted a fuel-injected Chevrolet V-8 motor and a four-speed Chevrolet gearbox while also painting the car white with dark racing stripes. He would keep the car until 1965 when he sold it to Robert Schifrin of Ohio. During his three-year ownership, Schifrin painted the car blue and slightly modified the grille with the addition of small bumperettes before selling it onward.

Passing through a chain of owners, the Arnolt-Bristol fell into disuse and was placed into long-term storage in Illinois with its drivetrain removed but otherwise fairly complete. In the mid-1990s, it was acquired by an enthusiast who began a comprehensive restoration taking almost 20 years, and costing over $220,000, to bring this prototype back to its original splendor. Importantly, Bristol motor number 100D 754 was found and fitted, while a correct four-speed gearbox and rear end were sourced from chassis 404/X/3132, returning chassis number 3000 to its as-delivered specification. Notably, this donor chassis was one of 12 Arnot-Bristols damaged in a company warehouse fire prior to delivery, meaning these components were effectively new-old stock when installed! The engine’s valve cover tag has been numbered 212, reflecting the number of the engine originally fitted upon delivery to the United States.

The steel Bertone bodywork was painstakingly stripped and repaired before being finished in red with a tan top and interior that closely matches the original Pine Beige interior. The quality of the paintwork a decade after its restoration speaks to the expert prep work invested in the steel bodywork prior to finishing. Correct details abound, from mechanical components such as the Lockheed brakes with Alfin drums, to small components like hand-fabricated trunk latches, to jewelry like the Arnolt-Bristol badging on the body and hubcaps.

The Bolide’s subsequent owner burnished this already impressive restoration with further mechanical and cosmetic refinements after his acquisition in the mid-2010s. With documented history from new and benefiting from a beautiful restoration in its original configuration and colors, the consignor, who specializes in collecting unique Bertone-bodied Arnolt models, acquired the Bolide Prototype Roadster in 2018.

Far rarer than contemporary offerings from the likes of Jaguar or Austin-Healey, and sporting unmistakable Italian bodywork penned by the great Franco Scaglione, the Arnolt-Bristol Bolide is also highly eligible for racing and rally events worldwide, including the Mille Miglia Storica. As the first of the breed, this important Bolide is a particularly intriguing option for the enthusiast with a taste for spirited touring and vintage competition—all in a carefully restored vehicle that would no doubt be welcomed to any number of concours showfields as well.