(^28) MGE AUGUST 2019 http://www.mgenthusiast.com
ost of my weekends during
the summer months are
spent attending various
automotive events, all of
them memorable, but few as much
fun as the Concours d’Élégance held
in Greenwich, Connecticut. Held on a
verdant lawn along the coast, not far
from New York City, the show attracts
enthusiasts from across the country
M
Born into a family that cherished the Sacred Octagon, John has
dedicated his life to British sports cars. Based in the USA, he owns and
races examples from various marques, has written numerous books and
articles and helped create the British Sports Car Hall of Fame.
JOHN NIKAS
eager for the chance to display their
vehicles in such a picturesque setting.
Invariably, I am asked to judge British
cars, which held true this time,
amid what was likely the largest
contingent of Arnolts ever seen on a
single show field. Ardent enthusiast
Chuck Schoendorf helped assemble
almost two-dozen examples, including
almost a dozen Arnolt-MGs, an
equal number of Arnolt-Bristols
and a rare pair of Arnolt-Aston
Martins. Any Arnolt is a rare sight,
making judging a real pleasure.
For those unfamiliar with the
story of these Anglo-American
hybrids, as his nickname implies,
Stanley ‘Wacky’ Arnolt possessed
an idiosyncratic personality which
he used to develop entrepreneurial
This month John looks back at the Arnolt-MG, an Anglo-American
success story made possible by an irrepressible American
businessman, an Italian coachbuilder and a chance meeting in Italy.
When Wacky crossed paths with Abingdon
An Arnolt-MG Coupé and saloon
at the New York Auto Show in
- Note that the placard
identifies them as TD variants.