Alfa Romeo 1900C 1st Series Sprint Coupé, 1953
Alfa Romeo Sprint
Alfa Romeo Sprint•
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Chassis No.: AR1900C 01435
Estimate: £260,000 - £320,000 GBP
- Mille Miglia eligible
- Coachwork by
- Carrozzeria
- Pinin Farina
- Registration no. 201 UYH
- One of only 100 bodied by Pinin Farina
- Original right-hand drive model
- Period Nardi floor shift
- Professionally restored in 2014
- 2015 Mille Miglia participant
Its factory devastated by wartime bombing, Alfa Romeo did not resume car production until 1947, the pre-war 2500C standing 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. A four-cylinder unit, the latter displaced 1,884cc and produced 90bhp, an output sufficient to propel the four-door saloon to 93mph.
Although ostensibly a humble family conveyance, the 1900 was endowed with sporting credentials which extended beyond its type of 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 realised in the form of two high-performance derivatives. Launched in 1951, the 1900C Sprint featured bodywork by Pinin Farina (cabriolet) and Touring (coupé), both of these short-wheelbase models utilising the 100bhp engine of the 1900TI sports saloon.
The Sprint Coupé was designed to offer sporting performance together with '2+2' accommodation - guaranteed to appeal to the sports car enthusiast with a family - while the heart-shaped vertical grille with matched horizontal side intakes became an Alfa trademark on later models.
Although Touring had been commissioned to produce the factory's official coupé, Pininfarina also built a small number of closed coupés on the 1900C (C = Corto = Short) chassis. According to H-J Dohren's authoritative book, '
Mille Nove
', Pininfarina built only 100 cars with this very elegant body design on the 1900C Sprint chassis between 1952 and 1953. Pininfarina's was a notably lightweight design, typically using thin steel main panels with the bonnet, boot, and doors in aluminium.
An original right-hand drive model, this stunning example was constructed in early 1953 and for many years formed part of the celebrated Mario Righini collection, widely recognised as one of the finest in Italy. Housed in a 15th Century castle outside Modena, this exceptional private collection was committed to the preservation of such gems as 8C Alfa Romeos and sports-racing Ferraris.
Following its departure from the Righini Collection, this highly original Alfa was treated to an extensive restoration in the Netherlands and the UK by marque experts in preparation for its participation in the 2015 Mille Miglia Storica. During the restoration the seats were re-trimmed in period-correct (and very comfortable) mohair, while post Mille Miglia the engine was serviced by former Manuel Fangio mechanic and recognised specialist Giuseppe Candini in Modena.
Owned by the current vendor since 2015 and described as in excellent condition, this recent Mille Miglia entrant is offered with a FIVA identity card and is the ideal touring car for Historic rallies and events.
