Heroshot

1954 Arnolt-Bristol Bolide

Deluxe Roadster, body by Bertone
€287,500 ($299,288)
Sale Price
€300,000 - €400,000
Est. Range
Yes
Reserve
13 May 2022
Sold Date
134
Lot Number
#3
Competition restoration
Bonhams
Auction House
Chassis no. 404X3105; Engine no. BS1MKII302. Dark blue with white stripe over black leather. 1971/130hp, triple Solex carburetors, 4-speed, silver stamped wheels, Blockley tires, Halda Speed Pilot, stoneguarded Lucas headlights, leather rim 4-spoke steering wheel.

Evaluation: Represented as the matching numbers engine and first owned by Playboy magazine founder Hugh Hefner, supposedly gifted to him by Stanley Arnolt himself. Sound old paint and upholstery. Dirty undercoated chassis and underbody. Dull, dusty gauges. Several event stickers attest both to the purpose and the use of this Bolide.

Bottom Line: The Hefner/Playboy connection is somewhat ephemeral but still good for starting a conversation at a car show. Its celebrity history is not reflected in the price it brought, which is a representative result for a Bolide Deluxe.

by Rick Carey
7 June 2022
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