1956 Arnolt-Bristol Deluxe Roadster
Chicago businessman Stanley “Wacky” Arnolt forged an unlikely but successful partnership that blended Italian design with British engineering. The Deluxe Roadster combined Bertone’s flowing Italian bodywork with Bristol’s sophisticated mechanicals, resulting in one of the most striking sports cars of the 1950s.
Bertone’s curvaceous aluminum body featured dramatically sculpted fenders and a low-slung profile that emphasized the car’s racing intentions. The proportions balanced elegance with purposeful aggression, setting it apart from both American and European contemporaries.
Bristol’s 1,971 cc (2.0-liter) inline-six hemi-head engine, derived from the pre-war BMW 328 design, produced about 130 horsepower in Deluxe form with triple Weber 34 ICH carburetors. Weighing approximately 1,950 pounds (885 kg), the Arnolt-Bristol could reach 60 mph in around 11 seconds and had a top speed of about 110 mph.
The combination proved formidable in SCCA competition, with Arnolt-Bristols winning the C-Modified class championship three consecutive years from 1954 through 1956. They also achieved notable success at the 12 Hours of Sebring, further cementing the marque’s racing credentials.
Only 142 Arnolt-Bristols of all types were built between 1953 and 1959, including the Deluxe Roadster, making survivors highly sought after today. The model represents a rare moment when small-scale international collaboration produced something greater than the sum of its parts.
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