For Sale: 1955 Alfa Romeo 1900 CSS in Saint Louis, Missouri

Its factory devastated by wartime bombing, Alfa Romeo did not resume car production until 1947, the pre-war 2500C serving the Milan marque in good stead until 1952. The firm's first all-new offering of the post-war period arrived in 1950. Designed by Dr. Orazio Satta Puliga and intended for volume production, the 1900 was the first Alfa to employ unitary construction and - in keeping with the company's sporting heritage - was powered by a twin-overhead-camshaft engine.
Although ostensibly a humble family conveyance, the 1900 was endowed with sporting credentials which extended beyond its power unit, owners enjoying the benefits of wishbone and coil spring independent front suspension and an exceptionally well located live rear axle. It should have surprised nobody, therefore, when the 1900's potential was realized in the form of two high performance derivatives. Launched in 1951, the short wheelbase 1900C Sprint featured bodywork by Pinin Farina (cabriolet) and Touring (coupe), both models utilizing the 100bhp engine of the 1900TI saloon. The Touring-bodied Sprint Coupe attracted such public acclaim that it was subsequently adopted as the basis for all future 'aerodynamic' Alfa Romeo coupes.
The Sprint Coupe was designed to offer sporting performance together with '2+2' accommodation, while the heart-shaped vertical grille with matched horizontal side intakes became an Alfa trademark on later models. In June 1954, the engine was enlarged to 1,975cc and the model re-designated as the 'Super Sprint'. With 115bhp on tap and possessing an excellent power-to-weight ratio, the 1900 shone in competitions of all kinds, such as the Mille Miglia and Targa Florio, and remains one of the most successful cars produced by the Italian manufacturer.
This 1900C SS is from the later part of the production of the 3rd Series, built June 7, 1955 and delivered new to Milano on October 5, 1955 per the Alfa Romeo Certificate of Origin . It is clothed in Touring's elegant 5-window aluminum bodywork, offering sporting good looks that do not sacrifice an ample greenhouse and comfortable cabin. While its early history is not known at this time, it spent a quarter of a century in Chicagoland before crossing the pond to the United Kingdom, where it spent nearly three decades in single ownership abroad, before it returned to the US. During the renovation of this 1900C SS, it was finished in a stunning two-tone color combination. The lower half showcases a beautiful shade of dark red, while the top half is elegantly done in metallic silver, enhancing the car's body lines, and creating the illusion of a hardtop. Inset into the grille are a pair of Carello diving lights, and the original chrome wheels have been fitted with new sporty Pirelli Cinturato HS tires.
The interior of this 1900C SS has been thoroughly restored, undergoing a complete top-to-bottom renovation. The seats are upholstered in coordinating red leather with grey cloth inserts, mirroring the door panels and it is all set off by matching red carpeting. Original Veglia instruments sit in a light grey dash ahead of the original Alfa steering wheel, which serves as the perfect finishing touch, complementing the car's elegant interior theme.
It features the robust 1,975cc DOHC inline 4-cylinder engine, (engine number 10306, which corresponds to a 1956 build date) equipped with twin Solex carburetors and paired with a 4-speed manual gearbox. The engine has been refreshed and detailed, and the intake manifold and valve cover have been properly refinished in wrinkle black.
With the ability to gain entry into desirable events becoming a great factor in the interest in various motorcars, it is little wonder that the awesome Alfa Romeo 1900 has become such a hot commodity given its ability to run so many great tours, rallies and events such as the California Mille, Copperstate 1000, Colorado Grand and Tour Auto.


Offers welcome and trades considered.