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based on out of date technology.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.
