Vehicle Description
1955 Alfa Romeo 1900C SS Coupe
Coachwork by Touring
Chassis No. AR1900C*01879*
Engine No. AR1308*00987* (Numbers Matching)
Touring Body No. 4297
Type: Tipo 3 "Five-Window" Berlinetta
Production Date: August 25th, 1954
Completion Date: March 17th, 1955
Exterior Color: "Blu Scuro" (Dark Blue)
Destination: USA / North American Market
A Superb Example of Carrozzeria Touring's Five-Window Superleggera
Coupe
Original California Car, One of Very Few Examples Delivered New to
the United States
Rare and Desirable Era Evoking Alfa Romeo Model
Retains Original Engine per Alfa Romeo Classiche Certificate of
Origin
Tastefully Upgraded with Floor Shift Conversion & Very Early Bumper
Delete
2020 Mechanical Tune-Up & Cosmetic Freshening to Period
Presentation
Ideal for Immediate Vintage Touring & Display
Eligible for Important Driving & Concours Events
Extraordinarily Well Documented with Records, Ownership History,
Correspondence, Restoration Photos, Registrations & Publications
Dating from 1959-2020
This 1900CSS Touring Berlinetta was ordered, completed and sold new
to the North American market, making it one of just a handful of
examples sold new to the States. Alfa's internal records record a
production date of August 25th, 1954 at which point the rolling
floor pan and drivetrain were shipped to Carrozzeria Touring in
Milan, Italy. While at Touring, this Alfa was assigned body/job
number "4297" which when completed was a lightweight, all alloy
body designated internally as "Tipo 3." Touring designated this
type of patented coachwork as "Superleggera" or "Super Lightweight"
and bonnet badges with this insignia were fitted on both sides.
Completion of this Alfa is recorded on March 17th, 1955, at which
point it was shipped to the West Coast and delivered to the
ordering agent, Hoffman FIAT of 9130 Wilshire Blvd, Beverly Hills,
California.
The oldest known owner of this Alfa was Mr. Neil McKay, during his
care the car wore California "Black Plates" numbered "LXC 795" (as
seen today), which would have been issued sometime after 1963.
Ownership and registration prior to 1963 remains unknown at this
time. A color photo of this Alfa showing the black plates indicates
the car had been painted at some point to a dark burgundy, while
the front and rear bumpers had been removed early on during the
car's life. McKay is believed to have sold the car circa 1969 to
Bill Biggs.
Biggs is known to have still owned it in 1978. It then was sold by
Biggs and purchased by Robert Rajski, but by 1983 it has passed
onto the prominent collection of Jack Becronis. His son, Peter then
acquired the car and it remained with him until 1989. During the
Becronis ownership years, the car remained without bumpers and now
was painted bright red. It was then seen and photographed wearing
vintage Italian plates "ROMA E57492" and sporting race number "175"
at the Monterey Historic Races in August of 1985. Sometime prior to
1983, the car was issued its famous California "Blue Plates",
"ALFACSS," There are many published and on-line photos of this Alfa
sporting these plates. During this same time frame, it was featured
prominently in Joe Benson's original 1983 Illustrated Alfa Romeo
Buyer's Guide and featured again in subsequent follow-on
editions.
In 1989, most likely with the assistance of Enrico Ciabattoni's
European Imports, of Temple City, California, this Alfa was sold to
Mr. Mitsuo Hayashi, from Kawasaki, Kanagawa, Japan. Based on a
thorough documentation album, photos, and correspondences, it's
understood Hayashi owned this Alfa exclusively until its 2017 sale
and subsequent import to the States. While in Hayashi's possession,
this Alfa wore Japanese plates "77 64" and later "72 31." Upon
receiving the Alfa, Hayashi had it stripped to bare metal and
completely restored. After completion of the work, he entered and
toured with this Alfa frequently over the next 28 years completing
on at least three occasions in the Festa Mille Miglia, as well as
many other organized tours and rallies.
Alfa's 1900CSS models were the most developed and best performing
of the 1900 Series of vehicles Alfa built from 1950 to 1959. These
"Short-Chassis, Super Sport" models incorporated a variety of
specialized components all fitted to a lightened chassis and custom
coachwork. Under the skin they used improved performance-oriented
features such as a specialized engine and gearbox combination,
improved suspension, brakes, oversized fuel tank and stronger,
reinforced wire wheels. Rare and unique "CSS" specific components
found on this particular Alfa include:
Engine: Original numbers matching engine with high compression
pistons and head, competition exhaust headers, specialized intake
manifold and Solex carburetors.
Gearbox: Correct Tipo 1308, five-speed gearbox (with floor-shifter
conversion).
Rear Axle: Correct Tipo 1308 axle assembly with taller 3.75:1 final
drive ratio.
Brakes: Correct special "alfin" double-leading shoe at all four
corners.
Wheels: Correct Double "Outside Lace" Boranni Wire Wheels
Carburetors: Correct special SOLEX unites with proper original
special intake manifolds and unique air cleaner / silencer
assembly.
Fuel Tank: Correct special over-sized fuel tank with cut out to
clear rear differential assembly.
Upon arrival in California, the Alfa Romeo was mechanically
freshened and sorted with a rebuild of the carburetors, brakes, and
suspension. In late 2019 to Summer 2020, 01879 would receive a
glass-out repaint back to its original Blu Scuro (AR372), coupled
with all new body seals and rubbers, general tune-up, water pump,
battery, and alignment. The car presents and performs well for
immediate display or important vintage touring events across the
globe. Paint and brightwork is polished, over black fabric and
vinyl seating and surrounds, grey wool carpeting with Carrozzeria
Touring rubber heel pads, clear instruments and period original
U.S. spec Alfa Romeo crested seat belts. Bright Borrani wire wheels
are mated to correct 165R400 Michelin X tires. The 1900 retains is
bumper-delete configuration, as it's displayed nearly the entirety
of its life. The sleek, race-ready body beautifully demonstrates
its pure and unobstructed lines as originally designed.
The engine compartment displays correct plaques, finishes and
auxiliary components. According to Alfa Romeo Classiche's
Certificate of Origin, the car retains its correct original
1308-series, competition-designed engine, while the correct 1308
mated five-speed manual gearbox features a floor-shift conversion
for greatly enhanced driving. A tidy and solid undercarriage leads
to an equally presented luggage compartment with matching spare
tire assembly, correct rubber mats and battery cover. Later
knockoff hammer and toolkit accompany.
The Alfa is further documented with records dating from 1959-2020 -
including: fascinating correspondence and detailed history,
previous restoration photos, prior owners' registrations, even a
business card from original seller Hoffman Motors. In addition to
Alfa Romeo Classiche's Certificate of Origin, the dossier contains
an original 1900 Use and Maintenance Manual and an original
"Enjoying Your Alfa" booklet.
Eligible for numerous events worldwide, this sporting Alfa Romeo
may be driven in vintage competition or present...for more
information please contact the seller.
