Description

Chassis No. AR1900C01227

Alfa Romeo debuted the 1900 at the 1950 Paris Motor Show – the firm's first post-war design and its first to employ unitary construction. Orazio Satta Puliga was responsible for the car's sophisticated underpinnings and Pinin Farina was contracted to body the four-seat Cabriolet and Coupe, while Carrozzeria Touring was chosen to dress the sporting Sprint Coupe. The venerated Alfa Romeo four-cylinder twin-overhead-cam engine was selected to power the 1900, producing 100 horsepower in “1900 TI” specification thanks to bigger valves and a higher compression ratio. Touring's elegant two-door coachwork offered an athletic appearance in line with Alfa Romeo's sporting heritage together with comfortable 2+2 accommodations.

This stunning first-series, left-hand drive Alfa 1900 C (C for Corto) Sprint by Touring was delivered new to Acireale, Italy on 9 January 1953. The Alfa's early history is documented in the 1961 Italian Autovettura as well as the 1956 Automobile Club d'Italia registration as being located in Naples until 1962. At that time, the car passed to Robert Doucette, an enthusiast from Freeport, Maine, who cherished and preserved the car for an impressive 42-year period. In 2004, English collector Robin Otto acquired the exceptionally well-preserved Alfa Romeo. Under Otto's ownership, the highly original but patinated Alfa underwent a meticulous four-year restoration in the shop of Chicago Restorations Ltd. in Northlake, Illinois, renewing chassis number 01227 to its former glory. Otto enjoyed the freshly restored Alfa for a further three years before it changed hands again in 2015.

Today, the expertly restored Superleggera aluminum body, crafted by Touring, wears an attractive dark blue finish, complemented by Borrani wire wheels secured at all four corners with chrome knock-off hubs. The luxurious interior is trimmed in gray hides with matching cloth inserts and is adorned with an array of desirable equipment such as its Autovox radio, wood-rimmed steering wheel, and Veglia instrumentation.

This wonderfully restored classic Alfa Romeo offers a rare opportunity for the astute collector to show, race, or tour at any number of prestigious events including the Mille Miglia. Featuring gorgeous handcrafted Superleggera coachwork by Touring, chassis 01227 has been exceptionally well maintained under current ownership and would make a splendid addition to the collection of any devoted Alfisti.

Please note that Broad Arrow has an ownership interest in this Lot in whole or in part.