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THE ITALIAN COACHBUILDER SITE

MG TD Arnolt

1952Coachwork by Bertone

THE VEHICLE AT A GLANCE

Model dossier

Production period
1952
Body style
Coupé
Engine
Inline-4 OHV
Type
Limited
Displacement
1,250 cc

THE PEOPLE BEHIND THE CAR

Coachbuilding, design & conversions

PRICE & SALES RECORD

Vehicle value

Original price
Not documented
Latest recorded sale
Not documented

01 / THE STORY

History & context

The MG TD Arnolt is a unique and rare vehicle that showcases the partnership between Arnolt, Carrozzeria Bertone, and renowned designer Giovanni Michelotti. Built between 1953 and 1954, the car was designed with elegance and sportiness in mind. Of the planned 200 units, 103 TD Arnolts were produced, consisting of 67 coupes and 36 convertibles. However, as of 1993, the whereabouts of 36 of these cars remain unknown, and three are confirmed to have been scrapped. The initial price of the TD Arnolt was $3145, a considerable sum at the time, reflecting the car’s craftsmanship and exclusivity. The Arnolt’s production was cut short when, in 1954, MG informed Arnolt that it could no longer supply chassis and engines due to its increasing demand for complete cars and the introduction of the MG TF. As a result, Arnolt sought a larger engine for future projects, ending the TD Arnolt’s run. Despite this relatively short production period, the MG TD Arnolt remains a significant example of mid-century automotive design, particularly due to its stunning appearance and its rarity today. Designed by Giovanni Michelotti, the Arnolt represents a combination of British engineering and Italian design flair, courtesy of Bertone. The car’s flowing lines and stylish bodywork made it stand out as an elegant and sporty vehicle for the era. Although production was limited, the MG TD Arnolt remains a highly sought-after classic among collectors, not only due to its beauty but also its connection to two iconic names in the automotive world: MG and Bertone.

02 / TECHNICAL IDENTITY

Specifications & construction

Production & construction

Production type
Limited

Engine & performance

Engine configuration
Inline-4 OHV
Displacement
1,250 cc
Transmission
4-speed manual
Drive
Rear-wheel drive
Specification notes
Canonical 1952 marks the Turin prototype/programme start; production Arnolt-MG specifications come from the 1953 Arnolt brochure. Coupé baseline: inline-four OHV 1250 cc, 4-speed manual, RWD, wheelbase 2388 mm, 4064 × 1524 × 1397 mm, curb weight about 954 kg. Power is left blank because surviving references quote slightly different output standards.

Dimensions & accommodation

Wheelbase
2,388 mm
Length
4,064 mm
Width
1,524 mm
Height
1,397 mm
Weight
954 kg

Design & manufacture

Designer · Documented
Giovanni Michelotti
Coachbuilder / Body Builder · Documented
Bertone
Manufacturer · Documented
MG

06 / EVENTS & AWARDS

Events & awards

No events or documented awards are currently recorded for this vehicle.

08 / FROM THE ARCHIVE

Archive

References held in the vehicle dossier. Their inclusion does not establish that every historical claim has been independently verified.

ReferenceSource type
Arnolt-MG Family Sports Cars brochure, c.1953 www.mg-cars.org.uk Manufacturer period brochure
1953 Arnolt Coupé technical catalogue www.automobile-catalog.com Specialist period model reference

THE CONVERSATION

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