Alfa Romeo 1900 Coupe Super Sprint

As one of the oldest car manufacturers in the world, Alfa Romeo most naturally entered the world of sport and racing cars as early as in 1911, participating in the Targa Florio race in Sicily. Ever since then, Alfa Romeo has always been synonym with cars where driving was the main focus. In the 1940-1950’s Alfa Romeo was the world leading sport and racing car manufacturer, concluding winning the World Championship Grand Prix (Formula One) in both 1950 and 1951. Alfa Romeo decided to change the company focus from being a small but high-end manufacture to a large scale producer, hence the racing activities was put on hold while great new thought about future design and technical solutions were made. A new upcoming star engineer was employed, to follow the huge success of Vittorio Jano. In 1949 the only 37 year old Dr. Orazio Satta Puliga came to Alfa Romeo, and he would lead the development of new model until he passed away in 1973. His footprint on the new models was enormous, and based on the known experiences from the tracks and earlier models, the new model 1900 was presented in 1950. Many technical solutions came from Alfa’s earlier line of car end aircraft engines, sophistications like chrome plated valve steams and sodium filled exhaust valves would help heating problems on the high efficient engine. In 1950, a 4 cylinder twin-cam engine of only 1884cc displacement with a 90bhp output was a race engine for everyday use. This was further improved in later models. But maybe the biggest change came with the introduction of the monocoque body chassis combination, resulting in a light yet sturdy body. Alfa Romeo would still be able to deliver chassis to Italy’s famous coach builders like Ghia, Pininfarina, Bertone and Touring, next to its line of own designed cars. And fortunately for us, Carrozzeria Touring was given the task of making the coupe version of the 1900, based on the shortened chassis (the 1900C, C for “Corto). Using the patented Superleggera technique, the body was made in aluminum over a steel chassis. In 1951 the beautiful Alfa Romeo 1900C Sprint by Touring was presented (Tipo 1). In 1954 it was followed by the 1900C Super Sprint Coupe Touring (also known as Tipo 2), which is the car presented here.

The car was originally delivered to California, USA. In the late 1990s it was restored to exceptionally high standards, and has seen relatively little use since. The Alfa was accident free and fundamentally sound prior to the restoration, which involved completely disassembling the car and treating it to a full mechanical and cosmetic bare-metal rebuild. Paintwork was entrusted to Rob Etcheverry and Don Nichol while the power train, running gear and all other mechanicals were fully overhauled by Conrad Stevenson, plus some engine work by Sammy Hale. The car was refinished in Azzurro-Verde Metalizzato and Blu Cobalto, while the Wilton-carpeted interior was re-trimmed to show standard by Ken Niminic using the original as a pattern. All chrome and nickel plating was likewise carried out to show standards and new rubber seals fitted throughout. The Borrani wire wheels were restored and re-chromed, fitted with new spokes and shod with correct Michelin X tyres.

Following its completion, the Alfa was shown at the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance in 1999 and at the Palo Alto Concours in 2001 and 2002 where it placed 1st and 2nd respectively. The car also participated in the California Mille in 2001 and 2002. Later the car went back to Europe, and was prepared for the classic Mille Miglia tour in Italy. It participated with success in 2021, fulfilling a dream of a passionate classic car collector. The car is now ready for its next caretaker, looking for adventures and shows. Needles to say it’s a matching numbers car, all documentation ready including FIVA Identity Card and with EU duty paid. Located in Copenhagen, Denmark.