Bristol Owners Club : Type 404/x

Type 404/X Arnolt Bristol

page revised 10th March 1998

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Arnolt Bristol Sportscar
This was a production series of cars specially commissioned from the Bristol Aeroplane Company (Car Division) Ltd., by S H "Wacky" Arnolt of Warsaw, Indiana-USA. "Wacky" was then successfully running an MG Agency and Dealership in the USA and also was a Vice President of the design house of Bertone in Italy.
The prototype car was introduced in 1953. Series production and shipping commenced in 1954 and effectively ceased in 1955. Most were sold by 1958, though one car held as factory stock in Indiana was revamped and was finally first sold in 1968.
Development
A Hybrid in every sense, the Type 404/X was fabricated on the shortened Type 404 chassis with Type 403 running gear but was fitted as standard with the Bristol 2 litre BS1/Mk2 series straight six cylinder sports engine. Driven chassis were shipped out to Italy where they were generally clad with a steel body though there were a few notable exceptions.
Design and Delivery

Driven chassis were progressively delivered to Italy where bodies were designed fabricated and fitted by Bertone at their factory. The project chief body designer was Sciaglione, himself famous for the BAT "Aerodynamica" series of designs on other marques, most especially 3 specials based on Alfa Romeo driven chassis. The influence is obvious to cognoscenti.
First production models were leaving the Bertone factory in Italy for shipment to USA in late 1953 early 1954.

Production
The accepted production figure is of 142 cars which included 6 chassis which were clad as fixed head coupés. Sadly 12 units were originally reported damaged or destroyed in a fire in a Chicago warehouse before reaching Arnolt at Warsaw, Indiana, USA. Others were reported with lesser scorch and superficial fire damage. At least one of these twelve cars was thought later rebuilt. It seems more likely that it was one of the scorched cars rather than a totally burnt out unit.

The Arnolt Bristol, as it was named, for sale, (note no hyphen) was very successful in road and track meet events. The Arnolt Company operated its own Racing Team which like the Bristol Company 450 Racing Team also had much competitive success in specialized event.

All Arnolts carry their own badges depicting a winged horse jumping thro' the letter A which bears on the cross bar the word "ARNOLT". This external allusion to the Bristol Company via the Pegasus badge is not lost on Bristol cognoscenti, for "Pegasus" was the name given to one of the parent company's many famous Aero engines. Hub Cap Badge (381k jpg)

Specification
Arnolts were supplied in three specifications ;

"Bolide" was the name given to the base level specification. This was very basic indeed and offered, a folding half screen, rubber mats, no interior trim, no body trim, no deafening, simple lightly padded seats and instruments spread across the painted steel fascia panel.

"De Luxe" was next level option specification with full width screen, instruments placed in a podule before the driver, quarter bumpers or bumperettes, fold down hood, most had side curtains to the hood, (one car was later fitted with wind down windows at the Bertone factory), trim panels to doors with arm rests, carpets, interior door handles and exterior door buttons, seats had more padding than the "Bolide" and were fitted with sliding adjusters.

"Coupé" was a much different body style and very exclusive final option. This version was trimmed to the same specification as the "De Luxe" but additionally fitted standard with wind down side windows, fixed roof and rear window. However, before you rush out to find one only six Coupés were actually constructed.

Of course a number of mostly "Bolide" and some "De Luxe" cars were fitted out to customer requirement, so there are a number of cars seen bearing features of higher specification models, e.g."Borrani" knock off wheels, chromed bumperettes, folding hoods and detachable side screens, pop-up headlamps etc. etc..

A picture ( Full size image 71k jpg )
This illustration is of an Arnolt Bristol "Bolide" which is in Australia, it has fitted as standard many "De Luxe" specification attributes though not all. This was a feature of many of the later Bolide production models. It has a Deluxe full screen but not the deluxe bumperettes. It is fitted with standard pressed wheels and hub caps, not the knock off variety, made by Borrani, an option often fitted.

A picture ( Full size image 37k jpg )
This example viewed from the rear is fitted for track use as can be seen by the addition of the roll bar. This car is currently in Sweden. Note the forward tilting Bonnet.

A picture ( Full size image 52k jpg )
This is the last Arnolt Bristol car sold. Delivered to Arnolt circa 1955 it was apparently used for some trial lighting improvements. It was released in 1968. Note the quadruple lamps and the non standard Front Grille.

A picture ( Full size image 113k jpg )
This view of a Bolide from the rear quarter demonstrates the clean sweeping lines of the design and minimal provision of lights and fittings.

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