1954 Bristol Arnolt-Bristol Bolide Deluxe Roadster (coachwork by Bertone)
- Engine
- 1.97L inline-six, hemispherical combustion chambers with inclined valves and single block-mounted camshaft, tunable to over 150 bhp
- Colour
- Dark blue with white stripe
The 1954 Arnolt-Bristol Bolide Deluxe Roadster, chassis 3105, is one of only 142 examples built through a collaboration between Chicago industrialist Stanley 'Wacky' Arnolt, Carrozzeria Bertone, and Bristol Cars, featuring coachwork styled by Franco Scaglione over Bristol's BMW-derived 2.0-litre six-cylinder chassis. This late-production Bolide Deluxe was reportedly gifted new to Playboy founder Hugh Hefner, subsequently changed hands several times, and has been in long-term ownership in Belgium since 1994. Matching chassis and engine numbers are retained, and the car is eligible for the Mille Miglia.
Ownership
- 2022-05-13Auction saleEstimate €300,000 – €400,000
- 1958 →Factory deliveryS.H. Arnoltpartial documentation
Car was built in 1954 but delivered to Arnolt in the US only in 1958, with first registration occurring in 1960. Arnolt reportedly gifted the car rather than sold it.
- → 1987Acquisition unknownJohn Reederpartial documentation
London-based owner who held the car after Bradburn's tenure.
- 1987 →Acquisition unknownJeremy Agacepartial documentation
UK-based owner who held the car from 1987; car subsequently moved to Belgium.
- 1991 → 1992Acquisition unknownAdrien de Ghellinck d'Elseghempartial documentation
Belgian owner who held the car in 1991.
- 1992 → 1994Acquisition unknownFemale Belgian ownerpartial documentation
Car was repainted in its original Paramatti Blue during her ownership in 1992; an old Belgian registration document from 1992 is on file.
- 1994 →Private saleCurrent vendorfull documentation
Belgian owner who held the car for nearly 30 years, using it regularly and entering it in multiple international rallies; had it resprayed dark blue with a white stripe. Numerous maintenance invoices and a Historical Vehicle Club of Belgium certificate from 1995 are on file.
- Date unknownAcquisition unknownHugh Hefnerpartial documentation
Reportedly received the car as a personal gift from Arnolt; reportedly passed it along as a gift to a female companion rather than retaining it.
- Date unknownAcquisition unknownPlayboy Bunny associated with Hugh Hefnernone documentation
Believed to have sold the car on promptly after receiving it as a gift.
- Date unknownAcquisition unknownJack Zallingerpartial documentation
US-based owner who confirmed the story of the car's origins; sold it to Jonathan Bradburn in the early 1980s.
- Date unknownPrivate saleJonathan Bradburnpartial documentation
Acquired the car in the early 1980s from Zallinger in the US; it had only around 6,000 miles and still wore original tyres. He registered it in the UK and had it repainted red.
Competition
- 1955Sebring 12 HoursClass win
Works team entry; one of the Arnolt-Bristol's early race successes in US production sports car competition.
- 1955Le Mans 24 HoursClass win
Works team participation; part of the same 1955 season campaign that also yielded success at Sebring.
- 1960Sebring 12 HoursClass win and team award
Factory effort returned to Sebring after the works program had previously been halted following a fatal accident involving driver Bob Goldich.
Maintenance & restoration
- 1992Bodywork
Repainted back to the factory-original Paramatti Blue with beige interior trim, as recorded on the chassis plate.
Carried out during the period of Belgian ownership; an old Belgian registration document from 1992 is on file.
- 1994Bodywork
Resprayed again by the current owner, this time in dark blue with a white stripe, the livery the car carries today.
Commissioned shortly after the current owner acquired the car in 1994.
- —Bodywork
Car was repainted red after UK registration, departing from its original Paramatti Blue factory colour.
Carried out during Jonathan Bradburn's ownership following UK registration as '6068 DH'.
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