1955 Alfa Romeo 1900cSS Touring Berlinetta

Alfa Romeo’s 1900 series of automobiles were designed by Ing. Orazio Satta. They were a completely different design and departure from anything Alfa had built previously. The model made it’s debut in the Paris Motor Show in the Fall of 1950 where it was an immediate popular and later for Alfa Romeo, commercial success.

 The 1900 was only the second series of Alfa Romeos built on a standardized production line which had been earlier preceded by the 6c2500 Freccia d’Oro. They were however Alfa’s first production vehicle built in a monocoque format without a separate chassis as well as the first Alfas offered with left-hand drive steering configuration.

 Both a sporting 2-door Coupe and 4-door Sedan were initially offered featuring an all new 1,884cc, 90 bhp, 4-cylinder, twin cam engine. The design was spacious and simple, yet quick and sporty. The slogan Alfa used when selling the new 1900 was “The family car that wins races”, not-so-subtly alluding to the car’s success in the Targa Florio, Stella Alpina, Mille Miglia and other races and rallies.

 Alfa’s 1900 was destined for competition success from the moment they made their debut. They all had independent front suspension (double wishbones, coil springs (front & rear) and hydraulic telescopic shock absorbers) and one of the very best live rear axle designs seen up to that point which was later even further revised and improved upon.

 In 1951 the short wheelbase 1900C (“C” for corto (Italian for short) version was introduced. It had a wheelbase of 2,500mm rather than the standard 2,630mm standard coupe and sedan. The following year, Alfa introduced the performance oriented 1900TI with a more powerful 100bhp engine and a variety of other upgrades. The 1900TI had bigger valves, higher compression ratio and it was equipped with twin-carburetors. In 1954 two years later the 1900 Super, 1900TI Super and 1900 Super Sprint with enlarged 1,975cc engines were introduced. The TI Super with twin carburetors now produced 115bhp and featured a 4-speed gearbox with revised ratios but still using the standard final drive ratio.

 1900cSS

The ultimate specification and these days the most desirable of of the 1900 line-up was the 1900cSS which featured both the shorter chassis as well as the most developed and best performing engine, gearbox and revised final drive ratios. The “C” in “CSS” stood for the Italian word “Corto” or short in reference to the reduced wheelbase. The “SS” referred “Super Sport” given the vehicle’s radically improved overall performance, handling and braking.

 Alfa’s 1900CSS model also incorporated a fantastically well designed and thoroughly sorted 5-speed gearbox with full synchronization on 2nd, 3rd , 4th and 5th gear. The ratios were carefully selected to match the torque and rpm curve of the high specification, twin-cam “Tipo 1308” series engine. As a result of the performance increase and use of a five rather than four speed gearbox, the standard 4.1:1 final drive ratio was unnecessary. A taller 3.75:1 unit was instead fitted which allowed for far better top-speed as well as far less rpm at speed in any gear. Brakes were “alfin” self-adjusting at all four corners. The fronts were double leading shoe and featured helical turbine finning and scoops for added cooling. Rears were also Alfin with six rows of circumferential cooling fins giving the 1900cSS some of the all-time best brakes ever featured on a production based Sports Car.

 Alfa had always envisioned making the 1900 a platform for various coachbuilders to express themselves freely. The 1900CSS lent itself to this end quite successfully and Touring, Pinin Farina, Zagato and Ghia produced some strikingly beautiful as well as competitive examples. With lower weight and better handling, braking and performance on the track and in the tours and rallies that favored these nimble coupes, Alfa had produced an extremely competitive as well as attractive vehicle. As such, today, these beautiful “custom coachwork” examples are by any measure the most sought out by both collectors and racers alike.

 AR1900C *02173*:

This particular 1900cSS was a standard Carrozzeria Touring “Five-Window” Berlinetta that was completed on Body or “Job” No. 4537. It was originally assigned a high performance, Tipo 1308 “1900cSS” engine with individual engine No. 01506. This was replaced early in the vehicle’s life with another Tipo 1308 engine *10311*, The original exterior color was “Grigio Azzurro” which translates directly to Grey-Blue. The Alfa Romeo Factory Assembly Records for this vehicle indicate it was completed and ready for shipping on November 7th, 1955. The original order had been placed on speculation by the Marino, Rome, Italy Concessionaire. The vehicle remained with them only a short time when it was sold on February 20th, 1956 to an unknown Rome resident. The car was then purchased in Rome in the late 1950s by an American Air Force Officer who arranged for shipping and delivery to the States after his tour of duty ended.

 Little other information is known about this vehicle’s early life until it was recorded by the Alfa Romeo Owner’s Club being for sale in the States in the late 1980s.

 In 1994 it was recorded being owned by USA resident Steve Wooten. His ownership ended in January of 1998 when it was sold by the Barrett Jackson Auction House at their annual Scottsdale, Arizona sale at which time it had been restored and now featured traditional all red exterior paint and a tan interior. The new owner was an English dealer who consigned the vehicle that Fall to the November 30, 1998, Christies London, King Street Auction. (Lot No. 65 / Sale 6000) where it was sold and purchased by a private Japanese Museum collection. The new owners then imported the car into Japan were it was road registered and further prepared for historic tours and rallies at which it has actively competed for more than fifteen years.

 Our purchase of this Alfa took nearly a year to complete but was well worth the effort and wait it took to acquire it. We have had several of these over the years and as such have gained a vast knowledge of their unique natures. We were aware that the original engine had been replaced by another of the same specification, possibly done under warranty when the vehicle was new or near new. The rare Tipo 1308/1356 specific parts that make up these vehicles were still fitted including the unique 5-speed gearbox and special rear axle assembly. The Tipo 1356 front and rear brakes were also present. These are massive affairs well up to the task of controlling the vehicle. The front use “Turbine” finning that sits inboard slightly and when in motion they pump air across them. The rears have six cooling fins on each drum assembly that likewise aids in keeping everything cool. The original unique larger fuel tank and special front and rear suspension components are all correct and original. A close inspection of the vehicles original panels and trim confirms that they are all original and correct to the vehicle. A variety of different components are stamped in many places with the two digit number “37” which is the last two digits of the Touring Body / Job No. “4537.” Sample photos of these are shown below.

Immediately after arrival a careful and thorough inspection was completed and engine compression checked. Each cylinder is perfect and even with no smoke or noises. The compression test results are as follows:

Cyl. Pounds Per Square Inch

1 170

2 165

3 165

4 165