1954 Arnolt-MG Bertone Coupe - £36,995

<<<<<Click on the menu to the left for over 50 pictures of this car!
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Click on the menu to the left for over 50 pictures of this car

OK, I am going to try and not be too over zealous in my description here but we think this is the prettiest little jewel of a car available today! It is a 1954 Arnolt-MG Bertone Coupe and is fully restored and in a wonderful condition. There are only three known in Europe so I would probably say this may be a unique opportunity to buy one of these amazing little cars. Here is a little background.

Stanley Howard ‘Wacky’ Arnolt from Chicago was an American Mid-West distributor of British automobiles whose first offerings under his own Arnolt marque were a 2-Door Coupe and Convertible, styled by Franco Scaglione of Batmobile fame and bodied by Italian Bertone in Turin on the Abingdon-built MG TD rolling chassis. The Illinois-based entrepreneur sold 65 Arnolt-MG Coupes and 35 Convertibles in two years before switching his attentions to Bristol-engined cars.

This is reckoned to be one of only three Fixed Heads currently resident in Europe. Identified by MG TD chassis number and Arnolt 244 body number, this 1954 car with TD engine was formerly owned by Betty Krause of Florida in the US where bodywork and interior were last restored during the 1990s. The paintwork is in Haze Blue, the original colour, and the leather in dark blue-grey.

Interior:
The interior is in superb condition with the Blue seats being nearly faultless and the matching carpet in extremely good condition with no rips or tears anywhere. All the dials and guages work as they should and it is a wonderful place to sit.

Exterior:
The paintwork is also in a superb condition with a lovely deep shine on the paint. The chrome bumpers are superb and the wire wheels and tyres are the same standard as the rest of the car. A very nice restoration giving the appearance of a 3 year old car.

Mechanical:
The engine bay is extremely clean and the mechanical side of the car is superb. The engine starts first time every time and pulls strongly with no smoke. There are recent receipts from Retro Motors for £7500 on file, much mechanical refurbishment has been carried out. The capacity of the TD engine has been increased from 1250 to 1380cc and a Shorrocks supercharger fed by up-rated fuel pump fitted and boost gauge added under the dash. The crankshaft has been balanced, the flywheel lightened and the Laystall aluminium cylinder head fitted results in a 8.5:1 compression ratio.

A new all-synchromesh Ford transmission with 5 forward ratios has upgraded the original TD box, while there is a reconditioned axle with 3.9:1 final drive resulting in 85mph cruising potential at only 3500rpm. Up-rated shock absorbers have been fitted and an anti-roll bar added,. The gearbox changes smoothly and is really easy too use having been rebuilt. The suspension has no knocks, even when going over speed bumps and the car sits rock solid on the road inspiring confidence.

Summary:
We absolutely love this car and constantly stare at it in the showroom! She has obviously been looked after and drives and performs as a nearly new car. I cannot think of anything you would have to do to this vehicle except get in and drive away with the sun shining! The only problem you will have is the constant crowd surrounding the car enquiring if it is a fifties Maserati! The car is still in a superb condition as the pictures testify. Dont forget this is a Left Hand Drive car so perfect for European Rallying and touring, in a great colour scheme ready to go. This really may be your only opportunity this decade to own one of these cars, especially after someone else has spent all the money restoring it!

As with all our cars, we have priced her for an immediate sale. If you have seen the cars that are out there, come and see ours and your search will be over.

Please click on the links on the left to view many photographs of the car, but nothing compares to coming to view her and taking her out for a drive!

If you are interested in this car you can contact us by clicking on the following link:
sales@justinbanks.com