1953 Arnolt-Bristol Deluxe Roadster
- Engine
- 2.0L OHV inline-six, triple Solex carburetors, 130 bhp at 4,200 rpm (Bristol Mk II unit)
- Colour
- Silvery grey with central blue stripe
The 1953 Arnolt-Bristol Deluxe Roadster (chassis 404/X/3084) is the 84th of approximately 130 examples produced, combining a Bertone-designed body with the Bristol 404's acclaimed twin-cam-derived six-cylinder engine and chassis. Delivered new in 1956 in left-hand drive, it retains its matching-numbers Mk II engine and original overdrive gearbox. The car passed through several American owners, received a restoration in the mid-1990s, and subsequently resided in a prominent Midwestern collection before entering its current ownership.
Ownership
- 2023-08-18Auction saleEstimate US$350,000 – US$400,000
- 1956 →Factory deliveryGeorge Meyerpartial documentation
First registered owner, confirmed via registry records. Car was delivered new in left-hand drive with green paintwork and brown leather interior.
- Date unknownAcquisition unknownAlan Geertspartial documentation
Corresponded with registry compiler Bob Schifrin in the late 1960s; at that time expressed intent to keep the vehicle within his family long-term. Registry suggests he may have been the second owner.
- Date unknownAcquisition unknownMidwest collectorpartial documentation
Held the car for approximately ten years alongside a varied collection of European and American postwar sports cars; car was refinished in its current silver-grey livery with blue stripe during this period.
- Date unknownAcquisition unknownNortheast collectorpartial documentation
Described as a prominent active enthusiast; current consignor. Car arrived in this collection following the Midwest tenure.
Competition
- 1955Mille Miglia1955 Mille MigliaDriver: Stanley ArnoltDNS
An Arnolt-Bristol was entered by the marque's founder but the entry was ultimately withdrawn before the event ran. The entry nonetheless grants eligibility for the modern Mille Miglia Storico.
Maintenance & restoration
- 1995RestorationSurrey Motor Sports
A thorough mechanical and cosmetic restoration was carried out, understood to have been performed by Surrey Motor Sports of Niles, Michigan.
Restoration date is approximate, described as occurring around 1995.
- —Restoration
A further cosmetic refurbishment was undertaken during the car's time in a prominent Midwestern collection, resulting in the current silvery-grey paintwork with a central blue stripe and grey leather interior.
Exact date unknown; work occurred during an ownership period of roughly a decade.
Are you the owner of this car?
This car's public record is built from its auction and competition history. Register your ownership and privately add your own records to make it a verified Legacy Metrics passport — provenance that backs your car's value at sale and gives your insurer evidence to price against. Roy reviews and verifies every registration personally.