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Lot Essay
1952 ALFA ROMEO 1900 C SPRINT COUPE
COACHWORK BY TOURING
Chassis No. AR 1900 C/01074
Red with tan leather interior.
Engine: Four cylinders in line, 1844cc, chain driven twin overhead camshafts, twin Solex carburettor, 112bhp at 5700rp; gearbox: five speed synchromesh; suspension : front independent by double wishbones and coil springs, rear, coil springs and positive location to live rear axle; brakes; hydraulic drum. Left-hand drive.
Possessing perhaps the longest bloodline of all racing thoroughbreds, the Alfa Romeo marque was always inclined to provide its roadgoing automobiles with engines remarkably close to the latest racing specification. Descendents of Vittorio Jano's historic 2300 cc supercharged twin overhead-camshaft straight eight of the 1930 powered the great P3 Monoposto to many Grand Prix victories and success in the Mille Miglia and other endurance races. In 1950 Alfa Romeo announced a superb new four-cylinder twin overhead camshaft engine installed in a a modern all-steel saloon monocoque bodyshell. The next year there appeared a short-wheelbase version , based on a modified saloon sheet steel platform chassis. It was a period of great vitality in the Italian automobile industry, when body shops such as Touring, Vignale, Pinin Farina and Bertone created a stream of memorable designs that set the pattern for other makers across the world.
Available in stages of tune-up to full race, the four-cylinder Alfa Romeo was seized on by great stylists. With its slender windscreen pillars, airy cabin and balanced proportions, this Touring Coupe is about as close to sculptural perfection as an automobile can be, decoration pared to a minimum, every panel blending into the next with subtlety.
This car was sold new in Switzerland in 1952 to Mr. Alphonse Miserez, who kept it until 1956. It then, through a dealer, came into the possession of Mr Josef Gnos. In 1959, Mr Gnos purchased a 1900 Sprint Series 2 Coupe which had suffered an accident at the Nurburgring. He fitted the more powerful engine and the 5-speed gearbox from that car to the first one, as well as the bucket seats, and this is still the present configuration of the car we are pleased to offer. Gnos, however kept the original engine, which has stayed with the car to this day as a spare. In 1969 the car was sold to Mr Ruedi Wenger, the President of the Swiss Motor-Veteranen Club. He had it for twenty years, entering it with his son in various historic meetings. In 198 the car quickly went through the hands of a Mr Villa before being sold to the present owner in 1990. A complete restoration was undertaken, both mechanically and cosmetically. Since, it has participated successfully in the 1993 Mille Miglia and the 1997 Tour de France. A FIVA passport is supplied and the car comes with its original engine and the bumpers - currently not fitted.
COACHWORK BY TOURING
Chassis No. AR 1900 C/01074
Red with tan leather interior.
Engine: Four cylinders in line, 1844cc, chain driven twin overhead camshafts, twin Solex carburettor, 112bhp at 5700rp; gearbox: five speed synchromesh; suspension : front independent by double wishbones and coil springs, rear, coil springs and positive location to live rear axle; brakes; hydraulic drum. Left-hand drive.
Possessing perhaps the longest bloodline of all racing thoroughbreds, the Alfa Romeo marque was always inclined to provide its roadgoing automobiles with engines remarkably close to the latest racing specification. Descendents of Vittorio Jano's historic 2300 cc supercharged twin overhead-camshaft straight eight of the 1930 powered the great P3 Monoposto to many Grand Prix victories and success in the Mille Miglia and other endurance races. In 1950 Alfa Romeo announced a superb new four-cylinder twin overhead camshaft engine installed in a a modern all-steel saloon monocoque bodyshell. The next year there appeared a short-wheelbase version , based on a modified saloon sheet steel platform chassis. It was a period of great vitality in the Italian automobile industry, when body shops such as Touring, Vignale, Pinin Farina and Bertone created a stream of memorable designs that set the pattern for other makers across the world.
Available in stages of tune-up to full race, the four-cylinder Alfa Romeo was seized on by great stylists. With its slender windscreen pillars, airy cabin and balanced proportions, this Touring Coupe is about as close to sculptural perfection as an automobile can be, decoration pared to a minimum, every panel blending into the next with subtlety.
This car was sold new in Switzerland in 1952 to Mr. Alphonse Miserez, who kept it until 1956. It then, through a dealer, came into the possession of Mr Josef Gnos. In 1959, Mr Gnos purchased a 1900 Sprint Series 2 Coupe which had suffered an accident at the Nurburgring. He fitted the more powerful engine and the 5-speed gearbox from that car to the first one, as well as the bucket seats, and this is still the present configuration of the car we are pleased to offer. Gnos, however kept the original engine, which has stayed with the car to this day as a spare. In 1969 the car was sold to Mr Ruedi Wenger, the President of the Swiss Motor-Veteranen Club. He had it for twenty years, entering it with his son in various historic meetings. In 198 the car quickly went through the hands of a Mr Villa before being sold to the present owner in 1990. A complete restoration was undertaken, both mechanically and cosmetically. Since, it has participated successfully in the 1993 Mille Miglia and the 1997 Tour de France. A FIVA passport is supplied and the car comes with its original engine and the bumpers - currently not fitted.