Vehicle Description
Chassis No. AR190001678
Engine No. AR130800792
Touring Body No. 4105
Alfa Romeo's new 1900 four-door Berlina sedan and coupe appeared in
1950 and, while appearing outwardly conventional, Alfa had started
with a clean sheet creating a modern, sporting car with a number of
technical improvements. In fact, it was marketed as, 'The family
car that wins races' and for good reason! It featured a twin-cam
engine, unibody construction, independent front suspension,
collecting racing wins across Europe, most notably in 1954 with
class victories at the Mille Miglia (8th OA) and Tour de France
Automobile (9th OA).
While variants of the impressive Alfa 1900 were winning races,
independent coachbuilders were having difficulty adapting their
custom coachwork to automobiles utilizing this new style of unibody
construction. Alfa's General Manager, Iginio Alessio, a friend of
the co-owner of Carrozzeria Touring coachbuilders, committed to
building several variations of the 1900 chassis - specifically to
underpin the designs of independent coachbuilders. With Alfa's
racing expertise and body design from Touring of Milan it is
unsurprising that the result of their collaboration, the 1900 CSS
Coupe, would be anything but sporty and stylishly elegant. Of
course, the 1900 CSS Coupe was more than just a rebody. It was
designed with a nimbler, short-wheelbase 'Corto' chassis and
received Alfa's high-performance, 'Super-Sprint' Tipo 1308 engine.
With enlarged displacement - now 1975 cc - the twin-cam
inline-four, featured two, twin-choke Solex carburetors to produce
a sprightly 115 hp.
According to documentation included in the history file from Centro
Documentazione Alfa Romeo, 1900 CSS chassis no. 1678 was completed
22 March 1954 finished in an exquisite metallic dark green named
'Verde Ortica' or Nettle Green. On 9 July 1954 it was sold to its
first owner just across the border in Lugano, Switzerland. Today,
this striking 1900 CSS Coupe presents in very much the same manner
it arrived in Switzerland almost 70 years ago. Restored by
RizzaClassic of Rome, it was taken to bare-metal and expertly
refinished in its original shade of Verde Ortica. The interior is
reupholstered in an attractively coordinated tan leather and wool
carpet combination with seating and door panels in oatmeal colored
fabric. Centro Documentazione Alfa Romeo confirm it is equipped
with its matching numbers engine paired to its rare and
surprisingly elegant column shift, five-speed manual transmission.
Additional restoration highlights include a high level of fit and
finish, beautifully rechromed brightwork, and the fitment of chrome
Borrani knock-off wire wheels with period correct Pirelli Cinturato
CA67 tires.
Eligible for the finest vintage touring events around the world,
including the Mille Miglia and Colorado Grand, this rarely seen
Alfa Romeo 1900 Corto Super-Sprint is sure to be welcomed with open
arms wherever it goes. Exuding style and a sporting pedigree
synonymous with this legendary marque, this example is completed
with a history file that includes correspondence with Alfa Romeo
Central Record Archive, photos during its restoration at
RizzaClassic, a trunk mounted spare, and a tool roll.