Lot 548: 1955 Alfa Romeo 1900 Super Sprint Coupé

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 1900 Sprint featured bodywork by Pinin Farina (cabriolet) and Touring (coupé), both models utilising the 100bhp engine of the 1900TI sports saloon. The model was up-graded for 1954, gaining a 1,975cc engine. This example features Touring’s typically graceful Superleggera coachwork, hand crafted in aluminium. Previously owned in Switzerland and Germany, the car was purchased in 2002 by the current owner via E Theissen KG, of Hamburg from a deceased’s estate. Work carried out while in the present ownership has included a gearbox rebuild, while new parts fitted include wheels, tyres, road springs, shock absorbers, Dell’Orto carburettors/manifolds and a stainless-steel exhaust system. The vendor advises us that the car is running well and successfully completed trips to France in 2005 and Jersey earlier this year. It is offered with Alfa Romeo 1900 Register entry (indicating an engine change from ‘01310’), copy parts list and owner’s handbook, copies of old title deeds, current MoT certificate and Swansea V5 document