ALFA ROMEO 1900 C SUPER SPRINT PARTICIPANT IN THE 1956 MILLE MIGLIA

1955 ALFA ROMEO 1900 C SUPER SPRINT 

• A participant in the 1956 Mille Miglia
• Four-Year restoration in original color completed by Italian experts in 2021
• Touring’s three-window coupé is acknowledged as the most elegant and attractive of the 1900 series, with restrained, perfectly balanced lines, devoid of any unnecessary decoration
• Fitted with desirable Borrani wired wheels
• Approximately 200 examples are believed to survive today
• The embodiment of La Dolce Vita!
• With a large and comprehensive file outlining both Mille Miglia history and restoration details
• Offers charming looks and a lot of fun for a relatively modest investment

‘The final flowering of the 1900 was the Super series, of which the Berlina, or saloon, and the 1900C Super Sprint were produced from 1953 to 1958… the Super series was mainly distinguished by the fact that the engine was enlarged… raising capacity from 1,884cc to 1,975cc. The 1900C Super Sprint could achieve 118mph…‘ – ‘Alfa Romeo – A History’, Hull and Slater, 1964. 

It was the “Alfona” for the most, the “Pantera” for excellence, “the family car that wins the races” in the slogans. 

In 1950, Alfa Romeo thought it was time to replace the glorious but now old pre-war 6C2500 and to make a car keeping up with new technologies that now were proposing the body integrated into the chassis: a car, so to speak, modern. 

The Alfa Romeo 1900 was built between 1950 and 1959 and was the first entirely new post-war project of the company.

The 1900C Sprint featured bodywork by Pinin Farina (cabriolet) and Touring (coupé), both models utilising the 100bhp engine of the 1900TI sports saloon. 

The Sprint Coupé was designed to offer sporting performance together with ‘2+2’ accommodation.

The Touring-bodied Sprint Coupé attracted such public acclaim that it was subsequently adopted as the basis for all future ‘aerodynamic’ Alfa Romeo coupés. 

One direct descendant was, of course, the lovely little Giulietta Sprint in which the family resemblance is immediately obvious.

The 1900 was one of the very first automobiles in the world to adopt radial tires.

In June 1954 the engine was enlarged to 1,975cc on the Sprint Series 2, and the following year the model was re-designated as the Super Sprint. 

With 115bhp on tap and possessing an excellent power-to-weight ratio courtesy of the aluminium-alloy body, these cars could top 190km/h (118mph). 

They were seen in competitions of all kinds. 

A total of 949 Sprints and 854 Super Sprints had been made by the time production ceased. Approximately 200 examples are believed to survive today.

Touring’s three-window coupé is acknowledged as the most elegant and attractive of the 1900 series, with restrained, perfectly balanced lines, devoid of any unnecessary decoration. 

The brightwork is notable for its simplicity while the dashboard is plain and functional.

ABOUT THIS SPECIFIC EXAMPLE

This unique example of a landmark model from one of motoring’s most charismatic marques was purchased by the first owner, Mrs. Anna Coconcelli, in Parma, Italy the 13th of December 1955.

A letter from the Museo Storico Alfa Romeo in Arese on file shows that the car was built the 23rd of July 1955.

In the 1956 Mille Miglia, this Alfa Romeo 1900 C SS entered with Start Number 328 with the driver Mr. Ettore Morelli. 

He wanted to drive the race with his daughter Argentina. 

Unfortunately the daughter had no driving license and so she was not allowed to participate. 

A nice set of letters back and forth with the Automobile Club Brescia is on file. Mr. Morelli then decided to drive alone. 

Period pictures and documentation from the Mille Miglia Museum Archive in Brescia provide indications of its Mille Miglia history.

After the Mille Miglia the car was sold in Pisa in 1959 to Mr. Ernesto Leon.

The Alfa has been resident in Italy till 1971 when it was purchased by Mr. James W. Mc Quade from Utica, New York before selling it in April 1989 to New York collector Mr. Gerald Lottieri.

Mr. Lottieri advertised the Alfa in November 1991 and it was acquired in March 1992 by a true caretaker, Mr. Antonio Sabato in Ontario, Canada. 

Mr. Sabato was born in Lecce, Italy.  

Although he moved to Canada at the age of 22, he never wavered from his Italian heritage. He was an appreciative art and automobile collector.

Having been thoroughly enjoyed for the previous half a century, the complete but patinated car was completely restored by Mr. Sabato over the course of the next three years. 

Faithfully brought back to as-new condition, Mr. Sabato enjoyed the Alfa for a further 20 year before selling it a Mr. Daniel Rapley from Rapley Classic Cars in Bethel, Connecticut, United States. 

This delightful car was comprehensively restored to exceptionally high standards between 2018-2021 at the marque specialist Carrozzeria Rizza in Rome and has seen relatively little use since.

Works carried out include renovation of the body and chassis, refurbishment of the interior, checking the engine, gearbox, brakes, steering and clutch and the installation of an auxiliary cooling fan to prevent overheating.

The car has been refinished in the original Grigio Azzurro livery, which suits the interior very well, while other noteworthy features include new Borrani wheels and a Nardi steering wheel. 

The Alfa has spent the 2024 season in Italy, where she was enjoyed by the former owner who participated in the Mille Miglia last June with starting number 355. The car finished without any major problem.

CONDITION EXTERIOR

The coachbuilt Superleggera aluminum body by Touring is finished in Grigio Azzurro.

All chrome was likewise carried out to show standards and new rubber seals fitted throughout. 

During the restoration, the windows have been renewed and they are without any scratch or damage. Also the headlamps and lenses are all in exceptional condition with virtually no imperfections. 

The exterior is finished with beautiful restored Borrani wheels, fitted with new spokes and shod with correct Michelin X tyres. It seems that no money has been saved on this Alfa. 

The body of the Alfa is in a very nice condition. The paint is wonderful and the nice details of the original 328 race number is off-course amazing. A detail which may never been taken off in our opinion.

CONDITION INTERIOR 

Not just the outside tells you how special this car is, the interior is also designed to impress the driver and it’s passenger. 

The interior is resplendently trimme in Green piped Grey cloth seats.  The condition can be described as nicer then new but period correct.

The interior is great looking, comfortable and well detailed, and it complements the exterior color perfectly.

The carpets are all in a nice order as well.

The beautiful thin wooden steering wheel is also period correct and amazingly restored.

The Alfa comes with a set of comfortable racing-style bucket seats.

The seats appear to be supportive and remain in excellent condition throughout.

DRIVING EXPERIENCE

The Alfa is fast, comfortable and straightforward to drive making it ultimately a very rewarding experience. 

Due to the low weight to power ratio the car is more fast then expected.

The steering, the gear-shifting, the braking and the overall handling is just perfect.

The sound of the engine makes it clear that the engine runs very well and that the car is ready to go.

Veteran Mille Miglia cars are extremely difficult to find, especially original examples and in such a good condition as this one.

Its racing history make this vehicle a very good choice for a subscription in the Mille Miglia.