For Sale: 1954 Alfa Romeo 1900L in Saint Louis, Missouri

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While these were indeed beautiful and exclusive automobiles, they were expensive to produce, slow to sell, and based on out of date technology.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.