Vehicle Description
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.
