Daphne Arnott

Daphne Arnott was born in London, in December 1926. During the war she worked for the Hawker Aircraft Company and later went to St Georges Hospital, Hyde Park, as a nurse.

During 1948 she became an active member of the family engineering business, as a garage proprietor. Family associations with motorsport spurred on an enthusiasm to take part in competition, a prototype 500 was constructed in 1951 and Arnott Cars formed to series produce her cars, making her possibly the first female manufacturer. She followed the 500 with a 1,100cc, Climax powered, Arnott supercharged sports car which she took to the 1955 Le Mans. The event didn't work out that well Peter Taylor crashing in practice.

Daphne enjoys Iota while seated in her own car at Silverstone for the 1953 British Grand Prix. This particular car was fitted with experimental glass fibre bodywork.

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The Arnott 1,100 "Le Mans". It appears to be George Thornton at the wheel