Arnolt-Bristol 404x3000
 

Sold for US$ 324,500 inc. premium at Amelia Island Bonham's Auction

Are they really that much better than an AC ace?

Bonhams : 1954 Arnolt Bristol Prototype RoadsterChassis no. 404X3000Engine no. 100D 754
Pictures and further details here.

Or an AC Bristol? Race-history wise I would have to say the AC Bristol performed better longer. But there are so few Arnolt-Bristols in comparison. Even less with real race history. Not that this car had race history. But it did have a great owner that put his heart and soul into the car. And it was the prototype.

I can relate to that and only wish that I had the foresite to buy an Arnolt Bristol 20 or 30 years ago.

Or five years ago. Or two years ago.

But they would have been even cheaper back then! recent increases in value reflect what a superb bargain they are compared to contemporary Aston's or Ferrari's.
One day the market will wake up to the fact that these are as good as if not better cars.

Or 50 years ago.

50 years ago I was still on pocket money so I doubt an Arnolt was is reach, 3 years later an Armstrong Sidderly was for £50 and four years after that my first Bristol 401 for £150. Despite being car mad I had never come across anything relating to the Arnolts until years later and as there were hardly any in the UK at that time the thought of buying one never entered my head.
Its nice to see that they make decent money now.

Beautiful car and a great story. I'm curious though how it missed the original asking price of 545k so far.

Perhaps because it doesn't have the original engine? Other than that I wouldn't know. It's a first class restoration. Ed Howell documented the complete story in a hardback published book.