1958 Arnolt Bristol

In 1953, S. H. “Wacky” Arnolt, Chicago businessman and vice-president of Bertone, was in London for the Motor Show. He had already had some success with his Bertone-bodied MG TDs, which had whetted his appetite for sports cars, and he was very impressed b

In 1953, S. H. “Wacky” Arnolt, Chicago businessman and vice-president of Bertone, was in London for the Motor Show. He had already had some success with his Bertone-bodied MG TDs, which had whetted his appetite for sports cars, and he was very impressed by the Bristol 404, but thought the price too high to make a distributorship viable. However, he came to an agreement with the factory whereby they would supply him with modified chassis fitted with the BS 1 Mk 2 engine. These were shipped to Bertone who produced a light two-seater open body called the “Bolide”, which sold in America at $3,995, whereas the standard 404 was $9,946; it weighed nearly 300 lbs. less than the 404 and having the tuned engine was a good deal faster.

Competition work began soon and the cars were 1st, 2nd and 4th in the 2 litre class in the Sebring 12 hour race in 1954 and 1955; the Arnolt was a great survivor and was still winning class and team prizes in the 1960s. Top...