1956 Arnolt-Bristol Bolide Roadster

Offered here is an extraordinary piece of postwar motoring history: a 1956 Arnolt-Bristol Bolide Roadster, chassis #404 X 3019. Known as the Bolide (Italian for shooting star) this model represented the lightweight racing specification, distinguished from its Deluxe counterpart by its horizontal dashboard layout, racing windscreen, and purposeful omission of bumpers and weather gear. Built with competition in mind, it embodied the American vision of Stanley H. Wacky Arnolt, paired with British engineering and Italian design.


This particular car carries a storied past. Delivered new to Edmund Ed Rahal of Savannah, Georgia (second cousin to racing legend Bobby Rahal) it was one of three Arnolt-Bristols campaigned in E-Production racing across the Southeast. The trio, finished in striking red with white stripes, were modified for competition, including the installation of then-cutting-edge Triumph TR-3 disc brakes. Rahall's sportsmanship even caught Arnolt's personal attention after he famously pushed his car across the finish line at Boca Raton, earning a congratulatory letter from the company's founder.


As was common in the period, when the original Bristol engine succumbed to the rigors of racing, a small-block Chevrolet V8 was installed. Fortunately, under the stewardship of later owner Kevin Fitzgerald, the car was restored and fitted once again with its proper 2.0-liter Bristol inline-six. Fitzgerald campaigned the car in VSCCA competition for 16 years before it passed into the care of its previous longtime enthusiast owner, Chuck Schoendorf.


Today, our car presents beautifully, showing just 14,301 miles believed to have accumulated since restoration in the 1990s. Inside, its purposeful yet comfortable cockpit offers more space than many contemporaries. Wide door panels and generous seating make long-distance tours practical, a trait Schoendorf proved by entering the car in prestigious driving events including the New England 1000, Copperstate 1000, and international rallies across Italy, Sicily, and Israel.


The mechanicals are equally engaging. The Bristol straight-six, fed by triple Solex carburetors, produces 130 horsepower at 5,500 rpm, with a broad torque curve that makes the Bolide docile at low speeds yet exhilarating when the cam profile awakens under throttle. Mated to a four-speed gearbox with overdrive, the car cruises effortlessly at highway speeds yet remains eager on twisty back roads. Period Smiths instrumentation spans the dash, providing both elegance and clarity.


Designed by Franco Scaglione at Bertone, the Arnolt-Bristol's bodywork is distinctive, defined by its sharp fender creasesan aesthetic precursor to the lines later immortalized on the Corvette Sting Ray. Constructed in steel to preserve these aggressive forms, the design stands as an acquired taste that rewards the discerning eye. The cars stance is tall and commanding, yet on the road it feels remarkably planted, with none of the nervousness one might expect from its proportions.


On paper and in person, the Arnolt-Bristol represents an inspired collaboration: a British chassis, German-engineered power, Italian design, and American entrepreneurial vision. Weighing just over 2,100 pounds with near-perfect 49/51 weight distribution, it was one of the most cosmopolitan sports cars of its era.


Chassis #404 X 3019 is more than a collector car, it is a rolling testament to mid-century motorsport. With its authentic competition history, careful restoration, and long record of active use, it stands as one of the finest opportunities to acquire an Arnolt-Bristol Bolide Roadster available today.