• Year of manufacture 
    1954
  • Mileage 
    1 665 mi / 2 680 km
  • Car type 
    Other
  • Lot number 
    165
  • Reference number 
    984
  • Drive 
    LHD
  • Condition 
    Used
  • Exterior brand colour 
    other
  • Location
    United States
  • Exterior colour 
    Other

Description

Chassis No. AR190001678

Engine No. AR130800792

Touring Body No. 4105

Alfa Romeo's new 1900 four-door Berlina sedan and coupe appeared in 1950 and, while appearing outwardly conventional, Alfa had started with a clean sheet creating a modern, sporting car with a number of technical improvements. In fact, it was marketed as, 'The family car that wins races' and for good reason! It featured a twin-cam engine, unibody construction, independent front suspension, collecting racing wins across Europe, most notably in 1954 with class victories at the Mille Miglia (8th OA) and Tour de France Automobile (9th OA).

While variants of the impressive Alfa 1900 were winning races, independent coachbuilders were having difficulty adapting their custom coachwork to automobiles utilizing this new style of unibody construction. Alfa's General Manager, Iginio Alessio, a friend of the co-owner of Carrozzeria Touring coachbuilders, committed to building several variations of the 1900 chassis - specifically to underpin the designs of independent coachbuilders. With Alfa's racing expertise and body design from Touring of Milan it is unsurprising that the result of their collaboration, the 1900 CSS Coupé, would be anything but sporty and stylishly elegant. Of course, the 1900 CSS Coupé was more than just a rebody. It was designed with a nimbler, short-wheelbase 'Corto' chassis and received Alfa's high-performance, 'Super-Sprint' Tipo 1308 engine. With enlarged displacement – now 1975 cc – the twin-cam inline-four, featured two, twin-choke Solex carburetors to produce a sprightly 115 hp.

According to documentation included in the history file from Centro Documentazione Alfa Romeo, 1900 CSS chassis no. 1678 was completed 22 March 1954 finished in an exquisite metallic dark green named 'Verde Ortica' or Nettle Green. On 9 July 1954 it was sold to its first owner just across the border in Lugano, Switzerland. Today, this striking 1900 CSS Coupé presents in very much the same manner it arrived in Switzerland almost 70 years ago. Restored by RizzaClassic of Rome, it was taken to bare-metal and expertly refinished in its original shade of Verde Ortica. The interior is reupholstered in an attractively coordinated tan leather and wool carpet combination with seating and door panels in oatmeal colored fabric. Centro Documentazione Alfa Romeo confirm it is equipped with its matching numbers engine paired to its rare and surprisingly elegant column shift, five-speed manual transmission. Additional restoration highlights include a high level of fit and finish, beautifully rechromed brightwork, and the fitment of chrome Borrani knock-off wire wheels with period correct Pirelli Cinturato CA67 tires.

Eligible for the finest vintage touring events around the world, including the Mille Miglia and Colorado Grand, this rarely seen Alfa Romeo 1900 Corto Super-Sprint is sure to be welcomed with open arms wherever it goes. Exuding style and a sporting pedigree synonymous with this legendary marque, this example is completed with a history file that includes correspondence with Alfa Romeo Central Record Archive, photos during its restoration at RizzaClassic, a trunk mounted spare, and a tool roll.