1953 Arnolt-Bristol Bolide Roadster (Prototype, chassis 404/X/3000)

Ohio dealership that received the prototype after its arrival in New York. Principal Robert Fergus raced the car at Andrews Air Force Base and reportedly at other Midwest events before selling it on.

Indiana owner who used the car in track competition, then substituted a fuel-injected Chevrolet V-8 and matching gearbox and repainted the car white with dark racing stripes.

Ohio owner who held the car for roughly three years, repainting it blue and making minor grille and lighting alterations before selling it.

Specialist collector of Bertone-bodied Arnolt models who acquired this prototype Bolide in 2018 with documented history from new.

First private buyer, based in Columbus, Ohio. Acquired from dealership principal Fergus; no details on tenure length or activities.

One or more unidentified custodians during a period of disuse; the car was placed in long-term storage in Illinois with its drivetrain removed.

Undertook a comprehensive, nearly two-decade restoration costing over $220,000, returning the car to as-delivered specification including sourcing a correct Bristol engine and transmission.

Acquired the car after the long restoration was complete and added further mechanical and cosmetic improvements before selling it on.

Dealer principal Fergus used the prototype to demonstrate its performance; the precise date and result are unrecorded.

An Arnolt-backed factory team achieved a class victory and also claimed the Team Trophy at this event, though specific chassis involvement is not confirmed for this car.

The Arnolt team took the Team Trophy again; specific chassis involvement not confirmed for this car.

Another class victory and Team Trophy for the Arnolt squad; specific chassis involvement not confirmed for this car.

The prototype was fitted with its Bertone bodywork and subsequently returned to Bristol in England for additional fitting-out and testing. Its original FNS-specification Bristol engine was replaced with a BS1 MK II-type unit prior to export.

Engine swap to production-spec BS1 MK II type occurred before shipment to the United States.

Walter Tormohlen replaced the original Bristol drivetrain with a fuel-injected Chevrolet V-8 engine and a four-speed Chevrolet gearbox, and had the car repainted white with dark racing stripes.

Carried out during Tormohlen's ownership between 1957 and 1965.

Robert Schifrin had the car painted blue and modified the grille area, repositioning the headlights and fitting small bumperettes.

Work carried out during Schifrin's three-year ownership beginning in 1965.

A comprehensive, near-20-year restoration costing over $220,000 returned the car to its original as-delivered configuration. The steel Bertone bodywork was stripped and repaired, then finished in red with a tan hood and interior approximating the original Pine Beige trim. Bristol engine number 100D 754 was located and installed; a correct four-speed gearbox and rear axle were sourced from chassis 404/X/3132, which had been damaged in a warehouse fire and whose components were effectively unused. The valve cover was tagged with the number 212 to reflect the originally fitted engine.

Restoration commenced in the mid-1990s. Correct period-specification mechanical and detail components were reinstated, including Lockheed brakes with Alfin drums and hand-fabricated trunk hardware.

The owner who acquired the car in the mid-2010s carried out additional mechanical and cosmetic improvements to build on the existing restoration.

Specific scope of work not detailed in the catalogue.