132 hp, 1,971 cc OHV six-cylinder engine with triple Solex Type 32 carburetors, four-speed manual transmission, independent front suspension with transverse leaf, rear suspension with adjustable torsion bars, and four-wheel hydraulic disc brakes. Wheelbase: 96.25 in.

• One of 142 Arnolt-Bristol Roadsters built between 1954 and 1961

• Body designed by Franco Scaglione of Bertone

• Fresh ground-up restoration

• Concours winner; eligible for numerous vintage races

Stanley “Wacky” Arnolt was an American original. He was a Chicago car dealer who imported European sports cars after World War II and then started selling cars under his own name. He met designer Giovanni Bertone at the 1952 Turin Auto Show, and the meeting would lead to four collaborations. The first was the Arnolt-MG, which was handsomely clothed by Bertone, but it was TD-powered and very slow. Arnolt also had Bertone rebody a 1953 Bentley Continental for himself, as well as three Aston Martin DB2/4s before the company stopped him.

Committed to Bertone, and as vice-president of the company, Arnolt contacted Bristol in England and arranged to buy 200 of its short-wheelbase 404 chassis. Bristol was using the excellent license-built, Frazer Nash-BMW two-liter six-cylinder engine from the BMW 328, and the result was exactly what Arnold wanted. The chassis were sent to Italy for coachwork and then to the U.S. for final details. Bertone’s young designer Franco Scaglioni was tasked with fitting a sleek roadster body over the rather tall chassis/engine combination and rose to the challenge. He incorporated an air-scoop in the hood for the three carburetors and then creased the fenders to balance the effect.

Between 1954 and 1961, an estimated 142 Arnolt-Bristols were built, about 85 of which remain. Sources report that there are 135 DeLuxe roadsters, five Bolides, and six coupes, three of which are in Europe. A dozen cars were declared lost in a factory fire, and of those, the family retains only one rolling chassis. Four models were listed: the Competition was a bare-bones racer, the Bolide was slightly better equipped, the DeLuxe roadster boasted side-curtains, bumpers, and a top, while the coupes had wind-up windows. Prices ranged from $3,995 for the racer to $5,995 for the coupe.

The cars were quick; the 130 brake horsepower engine gave 0–60 times in the nine second range, a quarter-mile came up in 17.5 seconds at 85 mph, and top speed was around 120 mph. After winning a two-liter race himself at Watkins Glen, Arnold entered a team for the 1955 Sebring 12-hour race, winning the Sports 2000 class by finishing 1st, 2nd, and 4th. The cars were also competitive SCCA racers.

The DeLuxe roadster on offer was bought new in 1959 by W.M. Hurt, of New Jersey, to go racing. A roll bar mount was found during restoration and factory options included a front sway bar, larger 11-inch Alfin brake drums, and adjustable torsion bars. Hurt later sold the car to James Rodgers, an engineer with Chrysler, who went to great lengths to bring the car back to its original specifications and sourced a number of NOS parts.

More recently, this roadster was given a frame-up restoration in Chicago at Northshore Sports Cars and Beil Auto Upholstery, guided by Arnolt experts. The engine was completely rebuilt by Hjeltness Restorations, of Escondido, and the car was repainted in British Racing Green with a Lotus yellow stripe. It was rewired, handsomely reupholstered in leather, and fitted with a green Hartz top and tonneau. Such attention to detail was rewarded at the 2008 Masterpiece Concours in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. The Arnolt-Bristol was awarded Best in Class and also chosen as Best Open Post-War Sports Car.

Only driven about 200 miles since restoration, this rare roadster remains in perfect condition and is clearly a contender on the show circuit. If the new owner tires of quiet afternoons of concours competition, it will be welcome at vintage races everywhere.