1954 | Arnolt-Bristol The Bolide

Transmission: 4 gears, Manual gearbox
Top speed: 172 km/h

Arnolt negotiated with Bristol Cars Ltd in the United Kingdom to purchase 200 of their 404 series chassis and the 1971 130 hp six-cylinder engines from the earlier 403 model. Arnolt had to find a new source of chassis to meet his obligation to Bertone, in whom he had invested heavily, after MG proved unable to fulfill the original order of 200 cars. The chassis that Bristol supplied was sent to Carrozzeria Bertone where they received a highly aerodynamic body with a flowing design that allowed the minimum bonnet height to clear the car's three Solex 32 single barrel carburettors. The bodies were designed by Bertone's new designer/aerodynamicist, Franco Scaglione (soon to be famous as the designer of the Alfa Romeo B.A.T. concept cars). The very high Bristol engine caused problems when designing a sleek-looking sports car. Franco Scaglione has handled this particularly brilliantly: first by incorporating a hood scoop to lower the surrounding sheet metal, and then by incorporating sharply folded fender lines over the wheels to distract from the unusually high hood scoop.

The Arnold Bristol presented here is a completely restored car with everything newly built. The bodywork is finished in green and looks very sleek with very nice fitting seams. The engine has also been completely overhauled and also looks new. For someone looking for a perfect Arnold Bristol, this is the perfect example!