The creation of the Arnolt-Bristol car was a mixture of two different car companies that had joined forces to produce a line of vehicles that offered four unique body styles. In the coming years there will be an increase in production during the 1950s, as well as many false impressions that embody errors in the number of rooms and entrances and exits regarding the components of Arnolt-Bristol cars.
A brief history of SH Arnolt Inc. and bristol cars
Arnolt-Bristol cars were a collaboration between two different automakers - SH Arnolt Inc. and Bristol Cars. Located in Chicago and Indiana, SH Arnolt Inc. was the brainchild of Stanley H. Arnolt, an industrialist from Chicago, who in the 1950s imported foreign cars to the United States. His company continued to sell four different cars that displayed the bodies of Bertone (a very unique Italian style) between 1953 and 1968. SH Arnolt Inc. capitalized an international automotive patchwork tire with cars exhibiting British mechanics and an Italian bodywork, combined with the sale and distribution in the United States.
Bristol Cars Ltd has become a manufacturer of handmade luxury cars that were made near Bristol, England. With a history of liquidation of distributors and car dealers, the company is known to directly wheel and communicate with its customers. The showroom in Kensington, London, shows off its products. Only a small number of cars left the company, often fluctuating around a little over 100 cars produced on an annual basis.
In the 1950s, Arnolt made a deal with Bristol Cars to purchase 200 of its 404 and 1971 cc chassis, 130 hp six-cylinder engines. Shortly thereafter, the chassis was delivered to the Carroszzeria Bertone, where a high-quality aerodynamic body was added with an impressive design. In addition, the bonnet height was adjusted to accommodate three Solex 34 dual-card carburetors. SH Arnolt also facilitated a pair of design configurations.
Arnolt-Bristol car models
Arnolt-Bristol cars were produced in four different styles of the body. The first model was aimed at competition and appeared as a striped racer. The car offered a slightly more satisfactory road racer. The deluxe was an extension of the car, which illuminates the side windows and convertible top. On the machine were also installed devices located opposite the driver. Another attractive feature is the glovebox in the dashboard. Fixed indoor coupe was equipped with headlights that appeared.
At that time, vehicles received about $ 3995 for a competition model; $ 4,245 for the car; $ 4,995 for a luxury car; and $ 5,995 per coupe. Many factory options also accompany the Arnolt-Bristol, such as the front lever, remote shift, bumpers, convertible top and Alfin brake drums, which measure 11 inches. The Borrani KO steel wheels were also connected to the Arnolt-Bristol car (with the exception of one car that was sold with Borrani wire wheels). The body of the Arnolt-Bristol was mainly made of steel, but also had an aluminum trunk and hood.
Although a special racing fuel tank was installed on some racing cars, this feature has never been a luxury provided to the general public. Additional changes in the composition of the car included 12-inch bell-shaped Bristol drums in 1959 and 1960, as well as Bristol front disc brakes in 1961.
When buying a Arnolt-Bristol car, the new owner received the owner's manual, spare parts manual, book, spare tire and tire, as well as a complete set of tools. In addition, a variety of logo-based accessories such as scarves were sold on the market.
All Arnolt-Bristol cars were built between 1953 and 1959, with a total of 142 end products (12 of which were destroyed after a factory fire). The last time records were made of existing Arnolt-Bristol cars, about 85 models were located in different conditions, such as requiring complete restoration, to demonstrate an impressive appearance. Despite the fact that cars moved well at the racetrack, car models did not sell very well. The market for cars was so slow that some of them were not sold until 1960. The last car for sale showed four headlights, but was not purchased until 1968.
Interesting Facts
When it comes to the Arnolt-Bristol car, there are many different misconceptions with which the car model is associated. For example, car serial numbers were often the center of numerous reporting errors. Perhaps this was the result of calculating only the number of Arnolt-Bristol sold in the United States, and not in other places such as Spain or France. The model also became part of the rumor, which hinted that some cars have a 283 Corvette engine and not a Bristol engine. This was a serious misconception, since all Arnolt-Bristol cars were originally equipped with a Bristol engine.
