1952 ALFA ROMEO 1900C SPRINT COUPE

1952 ALFA ROMEO 1900C SPRINT COUPE
Sold for US$ 415,800 Including Commission
Bonhams Auction, Amelia Island, Florida 2015
Coachwork by Touring
Chassis no. AR1900C*01227
Engine no. AR1308*00218
1,884cc DOHC Inline 4-Cylinder Engine
Twin Weber Carburetors
99bhp at 5,500rpm
4-Speed Manual Transmission
Front Independent Suspension – Live Rear Axle
*Known history from new
*Single owner from 1962-2004
*Beautifully restored in 2008
*Mille Miglia eligible
*The embodiment of la dolce vita!
THE ALFA ROMEO 1900
Alfa Romeo'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 99bhp, 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 realized 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 utilizing the 100bhp engine of the 1900TI sports saloon. An immensely influential design, Touring's Sprint offered family sized accommodation in a two-door sports coupé format and its heart-shaped vertical grille with flanking horizontal intakes would become an Alfa trademark. The Sprint Coupe was designed to offer sporting performance together with '2+2' accommodation. In June 1954 the engine was enlarged to 1,975cc and the model re-designated as the 'Super Sprint'.
THE MOTORCAR OFFERED
This 1st Series Alfa 1900 Sprint was delivered new to Acireale, Italy on January 9, 1953. The original 1961 Italian Autovettura and 1956 Automobile Club d'Italia registration documents the history in Naples, where the car remained until 1962 when it was purchased by Freeport, Maine based enthusiast Robert Doucette. A true caretaker, Doucette kept the car for the next 42 years before selling it to English collector Robin Otto in 2004.
Having been thoroughly enjoyed for the previous half a century, the complete but patinaed machine was completely restored over the course of the next four years. Faithfully brought back to as-new condition, Mr. Otto enjoyed the Alfa for a further three years before it was acquired by the present owner.
The coachbuilt Superleggera aluminum body by Touring is finished in dark blue while the interior is resplendently trimmed in grey hides with matching cloth inserts. In front of the driver is a dashboard pulled straight from the ethos of Italian Futurism that had come to the fore prior to WWII which an Autovox radio is fitted in the center of the dash. Outside, the four painted Borrani wire wheels show off the wheel-filling drum brakes.
Properly sorted and maintained, it is a fine example of the breed. It is replete with the aforementioned Autovettura and Automobile Club d'Italia registration, original Maine registrations from the 1960s, and its original owner's manual.
Begging to be driven, there are numerous events onto which ownership can provide entry including the California Mille, Colorado Grand, and the Mille Miglia. Good enough for Fangio to cut his chops on in the 1952 Mille Miglia, a 1900 is a fitting addition to any garage seeking an events driven car or just a lovely machine with which to enjoy la dolce vita!
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Robert Myrick Photography