News & Features July 20, 2007, 1:32PM EST

A British-Italian-American Coupe?

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I looked at the coupe in detail (this time around), and I am sorry to say it looked tired, and too low to the ground. I wondered which Fiat model had donated the original windshield -- no one else had been able to figure it out either, because the old Plexiglas was still there. The car was resplendent with brand new-looking Borrani Records, chrome plated or hopefully only polished. But overall, somehow the car just did not look right to me. Maybe it was the sour grapes syndrome that I was experiencing; I easily would have paid $250,000 but felt that it was going to sell much higher, and it did.

Greatest attraction as a coupe

Let me try to be objective. It is a very rare car, a tour de force that established a young designer. I think the car is pretty. The coupe was really never raced then, unless one considers an outing that included a nasty spin by Marvin at Pomona in a minor Cal Club event. As a make, Wacky Arnolt's cars dominated various production classes here, and the Bolides did well at Sebring one year, but in the scope of prestige vintage events, that's a bit like kissing one's sister.

I personally think that the greatest attraction of the car is that it is a coupe -- ideal for vintage tours and rallies, offering protection from the elements with a respectable amount of luggage space. These virtues are greatly appreciated, especially by the ladies.

Was it well bought? Well let me first tell you a funny story. A few days ago, I picked up a copy of Architectural Digest in my optometrist's office. Right at the beginning there was a black and white ad showing a bed. Yes, a plain bed. I read the copy, which proclaimed that it was the best bed in the world (because the copywriter said so?), made by some company that was Sweden's oldest bed maker, and it was only $59,750. As SCM is a family magazine, I won't ask some obvious questions. But if a bed is worth that much, I can now say with clear conscience that this Arnolt was very well bought.

Years Produced: 1954-57
Number Produced: 142, but only 3 to 6 coupes
Original List Price: $4,300 for roadsters
Tune-up Cost: Most shops estimate net worth & bill accordingly
Distributor Caps: Three years ago I paid $250 for one.
Chassis #: 404X3120
Chassis # Location: Right front near the suspension
Engine # Location: Several places on the right side of engine
Alternatives: 1953-55 Fiat 8V Berlinetta, 1951-58 Lancia B20, 1954-60 AC Aceca Bristol
Investment Grade: A