1954 Arnolt-Bristol DeLuxe Roadster
- Engine
- 2.0L inline-six, tunable to over 150 bhp
- Colour
- British Racing Green
A 1954 Arnolt-Bristol DeLuxe Roadster, one of only 130 ever built, combining a Bristol 404 chassis with Bertone coachwork arranged by American industrialist S.H. 'Wacky' Arnolt. Originally delivered to a Mexican state governor, it subsequently passed through Guatemala before reaching the UK, where it was restored. Acquired in 2009 and subjected to a thorough professional rebuild costing circa €130,000, it has since competed in three Mille Miglia Storica events and retains its original matching-numbers engine.
Ownership
- 2019-06-30Auction saleEstimate €290,000 – €330,000
- 1954 →Factory deliveryEfrain Aranda Osoriopartial documentation
Original recipient of the car, serving at the time as governor of the Chiapas region in Mexico. Provenance based on vendor-supplied information.
- → 1970Guatemalan garage owner or custodiannone documentation
Car was found in a garage in Guatemala in 1970 and subsequently exported to the United States; no named owner recorded for this period.
- 2009 →Acquisition unknownCurrent vendorpartial documentation
Purchased with the intention of entering the Mille Miglia Storica; commissioned a full restoration costing approximately €130,000 during 2013 and 2014.
- Date unknownPrivate saleAndrew Howarthpartial documentation
Acquired the car after it arrived in the US, then brought it to the UK where it was restored and registered under the plate 518 XUN.
Competition
- 2012Mille Miglia Storica2012 Mille Miglia StoricaCompleted without incident
Current owner drove the car through the entire event with no mechanical issues.
- 2015Mille Miglia Storica2015 Mille Miglia StoricaCompleted without incident
First event following the comprehensive 2013/2014 rebuild; car ran without any problems.
- 2016Mille Miglia Storica2016 Mille Miglia StoricaCompleted without incident
Second consecutive Mille Miglia after the restoration; again completed without mechanical trouble.
Maintenance & restoration
- 2018Inspection
Passed the German TÜV roadworthiness assessment with no defects recorded on 13 June 2018.
- —Restoration
A restoration was carried out in the UK by Andrew Howarth, following which the car received British registration '518 XUN'. Scope of work is not detailed.
Preceded the current vendor's ownership; approximate date unknown.
- —Restoration
Comprehensive professional rebuild undertaken across 2013 and 2014 at an approximate cost of €130,000, completed after the car's first Mille Miglia entry.
Described as the second full restoration of the car; scope not itemised beyond 'comprehensive rebuild'.
- —MechanicalUK carburettor specialist
Carburettor professionally rebuilt by a UK-based specialist; described as recent relative to the sale date.
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