Alfa Romeo 1900

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Alfa Romeo 1900
1950 Alfa Romeo 1900
Overview
ManufacturerAlfa Romeo
Production1950–1959
AssemblyItaly: Portello Plant, Milan
Belgium: Nessonvaux, Liege, (S.A. Impéria 1953–1954)[1]
DesignerOrazio Satta
Body and chassis
Body style
LayoutFront-engine, rear-wheel-drive
Related
Powertrain
Engine1.9 L tipo 1306 DOHC I4
2.0 L tipo 1308 DOHC I4
Transmission4- and 5-speed manual
Dimensions
WheelbaseBerlina/Sprint
2,630 mm (103.5 in)/2,500 mm (98.4 in)
2,500 mm (98.4 in) (1900C)
Length4,400 mm (173.2 in)/4,400 mm (173.2 in)
Width1,600 mm (63.0 in)/1,630 mm (64.2 in)
Height1,490 mm (58.7 in)/1,350 mm (53.1 in)
Kerb weight900–1,100 kg (2,000–2,400 lb)
Chronology
PredecessorAlfa Romeo 6C 2500
SuccessorAlfa Romeo 2000

The Alfa Romeo 1900 is an automobile produced by Italian car manufacturer Alfa Romeo from 1950 until 1959. Designed by Orazio Satta, it was an important development for Alfa Romeo as the marque's first car built entirely on a production line and first production car without a separate chassis. It was also the first Alfa Romeo offered with left-hand drive.[2] The car was introduced at the 1950 Paris Motor Show.[3]

1900 Berlina and Sprint[edit]

The 1900 was offered in two-door or four-door models, with a new 1,884 cc (bore 82.55 mm (3.3 in), stroke 88 mm (3.5 in)), 90 hp (66 kW), four-cylinder twin cam engine. It was spacious and simple, yet quick and sporty. The slogan Alfa used when selling it was "The family car that wins races", not-so-subtly alluding to the car's success in the Targa Florio, Stella Alpina, and other competitions. In 1951, the short wheelbase 1900C (c for corto (Italian for short)) version was introduced. It had a wheelbase of 2,500 mm (98.4 in).[4] In the same year, the 1900 TI with a more powerful 100 hp (74 kW) engine was introduced; it had bigger valves, a higher compression ratio, and was equipped with a double carburetor. Two years later, the 1900 Super and 1900 TI Super (also 1900 Super Sprint) with 1975 cc engine were introduced (bore increased to 84.5 mm (3.3 in), stroke unchanged). The TI Super had two double carburetors and 115 hp (85 kW). Transmission was a 4-speed manual on basic versions and 5-speed manual in Super Sprint version, the brakes were drum brakes. The 1900 had independent front suspension (double wishbones, coil springs and hydraulic telescopic shock absorbers) and live rear axle. The first of the 1900 came fitted with 6.00-16 Pirelli Stella Bianca, and then in 1952 moved to the radial 165HR400 Pirelli Cinturato.

1956 1900 Super
1954 1900 Super

Production at the company's Milan plant continued until 1959: a total of 21,304 were built, including 17,390 of the saloons.[5]

The chassis was designed specifically to allow coachbuilders to rebody it, the most notable of which was the Zagato designed, 1900 Super Sprint coupé, with an improved engine and custom body design. The Alfa Romeo 1900M AR51 (or "Matta") is a four-wheel drive off-road vehicle based on the 1900-series.

Coachbuilt versions[edit]

Iginio Alessio, then general manager of Alfa Romeo, was concerned for the viability of the independent Italian Coachbuilding industry–the advent of the unibody chassis design was threatening to put the carrozzerie out of business. Alessio was also a personal friend of Gaetano Ponzoni co-owner of Carrozzeria Touring Superleggera,[6] thus from 1951 to 1958 Alfa Romeo built five different variations of the 1900 unibody chassis specifically for independent coachbuilders.[7]

Alfa Romeo gave official contracts to Touring to build the sporty 1900 Sprint Coupé and to Pinin Farina to build an elegant four seat Cabriolet and Coupé. The availability of a suitable chassis led to many other coachbuilders to build versions of the 1900.[8]

Carrozzeria Zagato built a small series of coupés with the unofficial designation of 1900 SSZ, designed for racing with an aerodynamic lightweight aluminium body and Zagato's trademark double bubble roof.[8]

One-off specials were numerous, from the famous Bertone BAT series of aerodynamic studies, to an infamous sci-fi like Astral spider designed by Carrozzeria Boneschi for Rafael Trujillo the dictator of the Dominican Republic.[9] There was a Barchetta or "Boat Car" made by Ghia-Aigle in Lugano Switzerland designed by Giovanni Michelotti at the request of a wealthy Italian who had two passions: Riva boats and his mistress; the car has no doors or windscreen wipers.[10][11]

The Alfa Romeo BAT concept cars, all based on Alfa Romeo 1900 chassis
Entry #74 at the 1954 Rallye Monte Carlo was a Simca Aronde (French license "48 45 BP 75") entered by De Kluguenau and Mathieu. Entry #24 (in the right) is an Alfa Romeo 1900 entered by Georges Houel and Quinlin Julio, finished 10th.[12]

Below is a list of coachbuilt Alfa Romeo 1900s.

Year Coachbuilder Model Quantity
1951 Touring Sprint 2+2[13] circa 800[14]
– Pinin Farina 4 seat Coupé 1
1952 Zagato SSZ[15] 39[16]
1957 Zagato SSZ Spyder[15] 2[16]
1953 Touring Corto Gara[17] 11 (incl. 3 Stradale)
1955 Touring "tipo 55" coupé 2 seater.[18] 1
1955 Touring "tipo 55" cabriolet 2 seater.[18] 1
1956 Touring "1966 Series" Super Sprint 2 seater.[19] –
1957 Touring "1966 Series" Cabriolet 2+2[20] 1
1952 Pinin Farina Cabriolet 88[21]
1952 Pinin Farina Coupé 100[21]
1953 Pinin Farina Coupé 1[22]
1952 Pinin Farina TI Coupé 1-2[23]
1953 Boneschi Astral spider 2[24][better source needed]
1955 Boano Primavera Coupé –
1955 Boano SS Coupé –
– Boano Coupé Tipo3 1
1952 Colli Coupé –
1952 Stabilimenti Farina Victoria Cabriolet 48[25]
1952 Boneschi Coupé –
1953 Ghia C coupé –
1953 Ghia SS coupé 1[26]
1954-55 Ghia 1900C Coupé Special 10[27][28]
1955 Ghia-Aigle Cabriolet (I)[29][30] 1
1955 Ghia-Aigle Cabriolet (II)[29][30] 1
1956 Ghia-Aigle Coupé[30] –
1956 Ghia-Aigle Barchetta "Spider Razza"[30] 1
1957 Ghia-Aigle SS Cabriolet[30] –
1957-59 Ghia-Aigle Coupé Lugano[30] –
1958 Ghia-Aigle SS Cabriolet[30] –
1958 Ghia-Aigle SS Coupé[30] –
1953 Bertone BAT 5 1
1954 Bertone BAT 7 1
1955 Bertone BAT 9 1
– Bertone Coupé –
1955 Worblaufen[31] SS Cabriolet –
1953 Vignale "La Fleche" Spider 1
1953 Vignale SS Coupé –

1954 Alfa Romeo 1900 Sport Spider[edit]

1900 Sport Spider at the Museo Alfa Romeo

In 1954, Alfa Romeo made two spiders and two coupés using similar chassis as the C52 Disco Volante. In Bertone, Franco Scaglione penned two unique aluminium bodies, a coupé and a spider. The coupé was known as 2000 Sportiva. It weighs 2,000 pounds (907 kg) and has 138 horsepower (103 kW). The acceleration is on par with most contemporary exotics[citation needed] and top speed is around 137 mph (220 km/h).[32]

Alfa Romeo 2000 Sportiva Goodwood

Engines[edit]

Model Displacement Power Top speed
1900 1,884 cc 80–90 bhp (60–67 kW) 103 mph (166 km/h)-106 mph (171 km/h)[33][34]
TI 1,884 cc 100 bhp (75 kW) 170 km/h (106 mph)[35]
Super 1,975 cc 90 bhp (67 kW) 160 km/h (99 mph)[36]
TI Super 1,975 cc 115 bhp (86 kW) 112 mph (180 km/h)[34]

IKA Bergantín[edit]

Between March 1960 and February 1962 Industrias Kaiser Argentina produced a car named IKA Bergantín [es]. The body and suspension was from the 1900 Berlina while the drivetrains came from Willys; a 2.5 L (151 cu in) inline-four was fitted to most examples, while the Continental 3.7 L (226.2 cu in) inline-six equipped the Bergantín Super 6.[37] Maximum power is 77 hp (57 kW) and 115 hp (86 kW), respectively. Nearly 5,000 examples were built, of which only 353 were fitted with the six-cylinder engine which was introduced in May 1961. The Bergantín was available in estándar (standard), de Lujo (de Luxe), Super 6, or taxi trim levels.

Gallery of models[edit]

  • 1900 C Sprint Touring (1951; first series)
    1900 C Sprint Touring (1951; first series)
  • 1900 C Super Sprint Touring (1954; second series)
    1900 C Super Sprint Touring (1954; second series)
  • 1900C Super Sprint Touring (1956; third series)
    1900C Super Sprint Touring (1956; third series)
  • 1900 SS Ghia (1954)
    1900 SS Ghia (1954)
  • 1900 CSS Zagato
    1900 CSS Zagato
  • 1900 SS Zagato
    1900 SS Zagato
  • Ghia Speciale 1900 CSS
    Ghia Speciale 1900 CSS
  • 1900C Berlinetta Touring Superleggera (1952)
    1900C Berlinetta Touring Superleggera (1952)
  • 1900 L Victoria Cabriolet 1952 Stabilimenti Farina
    1900 L Victoria Cabriolet 1952 Stabilimenti Farina
  • 1900 Sprint Cabriolet Pinin Farina (1953)
    1900 Sprint Cabriolet Pinin Farina (1953)
  • 1900C SS Cabriolet La Fleche Vignale
    1900C SS Cabriolet La Fleche Vignale
  • The later, 1975 cc (tipo 1308) engine in a 1900 C SS
    The later, 1975 cc (tipo 1308) engine in a 1900 C SS

References[edit]

Notes[edit]

  1. ^ "Les belles Nessonvautoises". motocollection.com (in French). Archived from the original on 2011-07-14. Retrieved 2008-10-19.
  2. ^ "1955 Alfa Romeo 1900 CSS". Conceptcarz. Archived from the original on 2017-06-30.
  3. ^ "Alfa Romeo 1900 C Super Sprint 1956". sportscarauction.ch. Archived from the original on 2011-07-07. Retrieved 2008-01-20.
  4. ^ "1954 Alfa Romeo 1900 Sprint". sportscarmarket.com/Profiles/2004. Archived from the original on 2009-01-08. Retrieved 2008-11-01.
  5. ^ Walz, Jörg (2002), Alfa Romeo Typenhandbuch, Alle Modelle von 1910 bis heute (in German), Heel, ISBN 978-3898801140
  6. ^ Garcia 1983, p. 73.
  7. ^ Garcia 1983, p. 118.
  8. ^ a b Garcia 1983, p. 85.
  9. ^ Garcia 1983, p. 92.
  10. ^ "Boat Car". bonhams.com. Retrieved 2012-06-06.
  11. ^ "Alfa Romeo Spider 1900 SS Ghia-Aigle 1956". stubs-auto.fr. Archived from the original on 2013-05-07. Retrieved 2012-06-06.
  12. ^ Final results Rallye Automobile de Monte-Carlo 1954: Final results Rallye Automobile de Monte-Carlo 1954, accessdate: 22. July 2019
  13. ^ Garcia 1983, p. 74.
  14. ^ Garcia 1983, p. 75.
  15. ^ a b Garcia 1983, p. 78.
  16. ^ a b Adams, Keith. "Double bubble, no trouble". classicandperformancecar.com. Dennis Publishing Limited. Archived from the original on 6 June 2013. Retrieved 22 May 2013.
  17. ^ "1953 Alfa Romeo 1900 Corto Gara Stradale by Carrozzeria Touring". rmauctions.com. Retrieved 2013-06-12.
  18. ^ a b Garcia 1983, p. 80.
  19. ^ Garcia 1983, p. 82.
  20. ^ Garcia 1983, p. 84.
  21. ^ a b Garcia 1983, p. 86.
  22. ^ Garcia 1983, p. 88.
  23. ^ Melissen, Wouter. "Alfa Romeo 1900 TI Pinin Farina Coupe". ultimatecarpage.com. Retrieved 22 May 2013.
  24. ^ "Alfa Bulletin Board". alfabb.com. Retrieved 22 May 2013.
  25. ^ "1954 Alfa Romeo 1900 Cabriolet Pinin Farina". imcdb.org. Retrieved 2013-06-18.
  26. ^ "1953 Alfa Romeo 1900". conceptcarz.com. Retrieved 2013-06-17.
  27. ^ "1954–1955 Alfa Romeo 1900C Ghia Special". supercars.net. Retrieved 22 May 2013.
  28. ^ "Carrozzeria Caressed, Factory Fettled - 1954 Alfa Romeo 1900 CSS Ghia Speciale". Retrieved 21 May 2022.
  29. ^ a b Montowski, Lutzi. "1955 Relocation from Aigle to Lugano (Tessin, CH), Via Monte Boglia". ghia-aigle.info. Stefan Dierkes. Retrieved 22 May 2013.
  30. ^ a b c d e f g h "Carrosserie Ghia S.A., Aigle & Lugano". oldtimer.400.pl. Archived from the original on 22 January 2020. Retrieved 22 May 2013.
  31. ^ "Worblaufen Alfa Romeo 1900 SS Cabriolet 1955". coachbuild.com. Archived from the original on 2020-11-12. Retrieved 2012-06-07.
  32. ^ Tegler, Jan (2010-05-19). "1954 Alfa Romeo 1900 Sport Spider: Prototype for a supercar". autoweek.com. Crain Communications, Inc. Archived from the original on 2013-04-21.
  33. ^ "Alfa Romeo 1900". motorbase.com. Archived from the original on 18 October 2007. Retrieved 2007-10-26.
  34. ^ a b "Alfa Romeo/Models/Alfa Romeo 1900". carsfromitaly.net. Archived from the original on 31 July 2007. Retrieved 2007-07-08.
  35. ^ "1900 TI". geocities.com. Archived from the original on 2009-10-25. Retrieved 2007-10-26.
  36. ^ "1954 Alfa Romeo 1900 Berlina Super". carfolio.com. Retrieved 2007-10-26.
  37. ^ "Alfa Club News". blogs.consumeraffairs.com/alfa_news. Archived from the original on 2007-09-29. Retrieved 2007-07-08.

Bibliography[edit]

  • Döhren, H.-Jürgen (2012). Millenove—Alfa Romeo 1900, 1950–1959. Alfapoint. ISBN 978-3-00-037417-3.
  • Garcia, Gonzalo Alvarez (1983). Alfa Romeo 1900 Sprint. Milan, Italy: Edizioni della Libreria dell'Automoble. ASIN B003B5M3SI.

External links[edit]

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Alfa Romeo 1900.
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