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.
07 / THE VEHICLE IN DETAIL
Photo gallery 7 photographs
Show 1 more photographs Show fewer photographs
08 / FROM THE ARCHIVE
Archive
References held in the vehicle dossier. Their inclusion does not establish that every historical claim has been independently verified.
| Reference | Source 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
Comments 0
Share a memory, a period photograph or a documented detail about this car.