Chassis 01742
- One-off Ghia-bodied Alfa Romeo 1900 C SS, the Ghia
Speciale
- Commissioned in 1954 by Al Williams, proprietor of San
Francisco's famed Papagayo Room
- Displayed at the 1954 Los Angeles Motor Show and later
exhibited at Pebble Beach
- Restored to its original factory specification
- Second in class at the 2025 Pebble Beach Concours
d'Elegance
Introduced in 1950, the Alfa Romeo 1900 marked a pivotal moment for
the Milanese manufacturer. It was the company's first truly
series-produced automobile, yet it retained much of the
sophisticated engineering that had defined Alfa Romeo's prewar
reputation. By 1954, the range had evolved into the highly capable
1900 CSS (Coupe Super Sprint), featuring a 1,975 cc twin-carburetor
dual overhead cam four-cylinder engine producing 115 horsepower, a
five-speed manual gearbox, and performance capable of approaching
120 mph. While approximately 1,800 1900 coupes were produced, many
were bodied by Italy's leading coachbuilders, resulting in a
remarkable variety of highly individual automobiles.
Among them, none is more distinctive than chassis 01742.
Commissioned in 1954 by San Francisco restaurateur Al Williams,
proprietor of the celebrated Papagayo Room at the Fairmont Hotel
and well-known Alfa Romeo enthusiast and SCCA racer.This unique
Alfa Romeo was constructed by Ghia as a bespoke grand touring coupe
tailored to Williams's personal specifications. At a reported cost
of approximately $22,800, an extraordinary sum at the time, the car
was among the most expensive custom automobiles commissioned during
the period. Interestingly, during the same time, Al Williams also
purchased the one-off Alfa Romeo B.A.T. 7 and raced it at Palm
Springs in March of 1955; a year after taking delivery of chassis
01742.
Completed in the autumn of 1954, the Ghia Speciale featured
striking aluminum coachwork unlike any other Alfa Romeo. Finished
in metallic silver with a beautifully trimmed leather interior, the
design blended contemporary Italian styling with a number of highly
personalized details. Most notable was a folding rear seat and
innovative top-hinged rear hatch, incorporated to accommodate
Williams's beloved Great Dane. Long before hatchbacks entered
mainstream production, Ghia had effectively created one for a
favored client. Additional custom factory touches included
personalized interior appointments and unique exterior detailing
that distinguished this one-off Alfa Romeo from every other 1900
CSS built.
The completed automobile made an immediate impression. Shipped from
Italy to California in time for the 1954 Los Angeles Motor Show, it
received widespread attention in the American motoring press. In
1955 when this car appeared Road & Track, they described it as
"generally considered the most beautiful car in the show," while
Motor Trend praised both its styling and bespoke execution. The car
later appeared at the Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance during the
event's early years, further cementing its status as one of the
most notable custom-bodied Alfa Romeos of the era.
Beyond its rarity and fascinating history, the Ghia Speciale
occupies an important place in automotive design. Historians have
long noted its influence on the development of the original Ford
Mustang, particularly its long-hood, short-deck proportions, side
sculpting, roofline treatment, and interior themes. While Ghia's
relationship with Ford would not formally develop until years
later, the styling themes first explored on this unique Alfa Romeo
would ultimately help shape one of the most recognizable
automobiles ever produced.
Following decades of ownership in California and the Pacific
Northwest, chassis 01742 was rediscovered by collector Paul Forbes
in 1989. A subsequent restoration by Tony Nicosia and Lawrence
Anderson returned the car to its original silver livery and bespoke
interior specification, carefully preserving the character and
presence that made it famous. More recently, details unique to the
original commission, including the distinctive exterior flourishes
and embroidered interior features, were faithfully recreated to
further enhance the car's authenticity. In August of 2025, this
Alfa Romeo once again graced the lawn at the Pebble Beach Concours
d'Elegance where it achieved 2nd in class. Showing that its level
of quality to compete at the best concours' in the world and even
eligible to race on the famed Mille Miglia in Italy.
Today, the Ghia Speciale remains one of the most important and
recognizable Alfa Romeo coachbuilt specials of the postwar era. As
a one-off creation from Ghia, a featured show car, and a design
that influenced generations of automobiles to follow, it occupies a
singular position within the Alfa Romeo canon. Equal parts
coachbuilt masterpiece, concours showpiece, and automotive design
landmark, it is a motorcar whose significance extends far beyond
its rarity alone.
Offers welcome and trades considered.
