A Landmark for Alfa Romeo

The Alfa Romeo 1900 was a pivotal model for the brand. The 1900 was not only the first Alfa built entirely on a production line but also the first to feature a unibody design without a separate chassis. Alfa’s future lay in mass production, but the company didn’t want to forget the enthusiasts who had cemented its reputation in the pre-war era.

Protecting Italy’s Great Coachbuilders

Though the unibody construction was a step forward for Alfa Romeo, the company’s general manager, Iginio Alessio, worried that this shift would threaten Italy’s great coachbuilders. To protect them, Alessio and Gaetano Ponzoni, co-owner of Carrozzeria Touring Superleggera, devised a plan to produce special versions of the 1900.

Alfa Romeo contracted Touring Superleggera to build the 1900 Sprint Coupé, while Pininfarina designed the four-seater Cabriolet and Coupé. The 1900 chassis would go on to inspire iconic designs, including the Bertone BAT cars and one-offs like the Boneschi-bodied Astral Spider and the Ghia-Aigle Barchetta.

Zagato’s Contribution: Lightweight and Aerodynamic

Alfa Romeo tasked the legendary Zagato with building an aerodynamic, lightweight body for the 1900, crafted from aluminium. It produced a total of 39 coupés and two Spyders. The sleek design was paired with an upgraded version of the 1900’s longitudinally mounted engine. This boosted power from 90bhp to 115bhp. Consequently, with a kerb weight of just 920kg, the Alfa Romeo 1900 C Zagato Coupe became a fierce competitor in the under 2.0-litre touring car racing category.

First Appearance at the 1956 Geneva Auto Show

I photoed this Alfa Romeo at the Concours of Elegance 2024, one of the last two ‘Double Bubble’ low-nose versions produced in 1956. It made its debut at the 1956 Geneva Auto Show. They sold it straight from the stand to a Swiss owner and went on to become a significant part of automotive history.

A Car with a Rich Provenance

The car has been owned by the Sydoricks since 1994 after spending time in Japan as part of the Hyashi collection. It was their first Zagato, leading them to become some of the world’s top Zagato collectors.

Restored and Still Driven

Fully restored in the 1990s, the 1956 Alfa Romeo has since graced prestigious events. These include Pebble Beach, Villa d’Este, Goodwood, and even the first concours event in Kuwait. But this isn’t just a showpiece; the car has also participated in numerous touring events. It wowed at the Mille Miglia, where it demonstrated its reliability and performance by clocking thousands of miles.

Technical Specifications

Engine – 1975cc/inline-four/naturally aspirated/DOHC

Transmission – Five-speed manual, RWD

Power – 115bhp

Torque – 116lb ft

Top Speed – N/A

0-60mph – N/A

Weight – 920kg

What a stunning car. This car really caught my attention and made it into my top 10 cars at the 2024 Concours of Elegance. Check out that top 10 here.

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