Vehicle Description
When Alfa Romeo's 1900 debuted in 1950, the car's arrival marked a
significant change of purpose for the Milanese automaker. Not only
was this the first all-new post-war car to come from Alfa, but it
represented a rebirth of sorts for the company. After suffering
massive losses in World War II, Alfa was determined to become an
Italian industrial powerhouse. During the rebuilding phase of the
early post-war era, Alfa scraped by with a series of updated
pre-war 6C designs. While these were indeed beautiful and exclusive
automobiles, they were expensive to produce, slow to sell, and
based on out of date technology. What Alfa needed was a car they
could build in sufficient quantity to keep the workforce occupied,
recuperate costs, and satisfy the rapidly growing demand for new
cars in Italy. The formula was simple yet ingenious: unitary
construction, independent front suspension, and a stout, iron-block
four-cylinder topped with Alfa's signature aluminum twin-overhead
camshaft cylinder head. Engineers designed a platform that could
easily be adapted to accept a body from outside coachbuilders,
while also delivering performance that punched well above its
weight. The 1900 was a resounding success, with period adverts
calling it "The family car that wins races." As the company's first
real mass-produced car, it paved the way for not only Alfa's
renaissance but also the Italian coachbuilding resurgence of the
1950s and 1960s.The platform was ideally suited for the likes of
Touring, Zagato, Pininfarina, Bertone, and Ghia to practice their
craft. The 1900 formed the basis for the majority of the famous
coachbuilt show cars of the fifties - including the "Disco Volante"
and the "B.A.T. Series."The 1950s marked an era of creative
brilliance for Carrozzeria Ghia, as the Turin-based design house
produced an array of striking concept cars, bespoke one-offs, and
uniquely styled production models. Among these works, Ghia bodied
approximately two dozen Alfa Romeo 1900 chassis between 1954 and
1955, with most built on the high-performance short-wheelbase 1900C
platform. However, the example presented here is a significant
outlier-believed to be the only one built on the long-wheelbase
1900L "lungo" chassis and likely the first of at least nine
similarly styled Ghia-bodied coupes, the rest being fitted to the
short wheelbase or "corto" chassis.Designed by the highly
influential Giovanni Savonuzzi, the car's lightweight aluminum
alloy bodywork exhibits the distinctive styling cues of Ghia's
mid-century masterpieces. Key design elements include curved front
bumperettes, pronounced fenders with protruding headlamps, squared
wheel-well openings, a wraparound front windscreen that flows
seamlessly into an airy canopy, and delicate rear fender fins.
While the aesthetic appears somewhat exaggerated on the
short-wheelbase platform, with its longer front and rear overhangs,
the "lungo" chassis lends a greater sense of balance and
proportion, enhancing the car's presence both in motion and at
rest.Per the included Alfa Romeo "Certificato Di Origine," the car
was dispatched to Ghia on April 27, 1954, originally finished in
Bleu Marino and delivered three months later to its first owner in
New York. While little is documented of its early history, by 2006
the car resided in Sacramento, California, where it was presented
at the 2006 Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance. It was later acquired
by a respected East Coast collector and shown at the 2008 Greenwich
Concours d'Elegance. It then moved into the most recent owner's
significant collection of sports cars and other coachbuilt European
cars in October 2016.The aluminum body is resplendent in classic
Alfa Red. While an older restoration, the car still presents
beautifully, the panel gaps are excellent, and the brightwork is in
very good condition. The interior of this 1900L has been thoroughly
restored, undergoing a complete top-to-bottom renovation some time
ago. Nearly every surface has been upholstered in light grey
leather, creating a cohesive and inviting atmosphere, with matching
grey carpet to continue the theme. The dashboard mirrors the
exterior's classic red finish, seamlessly tying the interior to the
car's overall design. The iconic Nardi steering wheel serves as the
perfect finishing touch, complementing the car's elegant interior
theme.Beneath the sculpted alloy body, this Alfa Romeo retains its
original, numbers-matching type 1306 engine, further affirming its
authenticity and provenance. The engine compartment has been
refreshed and nicely detailed, with proper wrinkle black finishes
on the air cleaner and cam covers. It is additionally equipped with
the rare factory column-mounted five-speed gearbox, a distinctive
feature that enhances both driving engagement and
collectability.With its one-off "lungo" chassis configuration,
Savonuzzi-designed Ghia coachwork, and documented history, this
1900L Coupe is a significant piece of Alfa Romeo and Italian design
history. An ideal acquisition for collectors of coach-built Alfa
Romeos and mid-century Ghia designs, this exceptional coupe is
equally suited for museum display, concours exhibition, or grand
touring events. Offers welcome and trades considered. For
additional details please view this listing directly on our website
