Fantasy Junction

Description

1953 Alfa Romeo 1900C FiveWindow Coupe by Touring
s/n AR1900*01279*, engine no. AR1308*00251*
Dark Blue with Two Blue with Grey Inserts

The 1900 was Alfa Romeo’s first all new postwar model and featured a number of innovative features including unitary chassis construction and dual overhead cam inline-4 with hemispherical combustion chambers and aluminum alloy cylinder head. While most examples were sedans, a handful of special bodied 1900 C Sprint and Super Sprint coupes were built, weighing several hundred pounds less and featuring stylish bodies by coachbuilders such as Bertone, Castagna, Touring, Vignale, and Zagato. The five window coupe by Touring was among the most attractive of these, and 949 examples were built between 1951 and 1954, using Touring’s famous Superleggera construction.

This particular car was constructed in September of 1952 before being fitted with its Touring body. Its certificate of origin was issued on the 11th of February 1953 and it was purchased new by Barone Nicola Musmeci, who owned an Alfa Romeo dealership. Musmeci was an enthusiastic race car driver, and used this car, as well as a Disco Volante in events across Italy. He raced this particular car in the 1953 Targa Florio on the 14th of May, placing 13th overall. Period photos on file show this car racing in the event. He is also raced in a variety of other events in 1953, and is believed to have done so in this car. These events included the Giro di Sicilia in April, the Palermo-Monte Pellegrino race in May, the Permio Pergusa also in May, the 10 Hours of Messina (a night race in July), and potentially others. Please inquire with us for a full historical synopsis inclusive of period racing photographs of the car in the Targa Florio.

On the 29th of April 1954, Musmeci sold the car to Russian film actor Marino Chaliapine, who lived in Rome. He kept the car until 28 July 1955, when he sold it to Gregorio Bernardini. Automobile Club d’Italia documents accompany the car to confirm its early ownership history. Shortly thereafter, the car was sold to an American owner named Joe Janda, who kept the car in Southern California until approximately 2003, when its current owner acquired it. The car was restored by Tillack & Co. in early 1990s, and a photographic documentation of the restoration works accompanies the sale. The history has been carefully researched by the steward of the Italian Car Registry, John de Boer.

The car is an early three-window Touring coupe, featuring the molded in grille brows, small rear window, and higher waistline which gives the greenhouse a lower and sleeker appearance. Cosmetically the car makes a strong impression, especially the body, which is exceptionally solid and displays great fit and gaps throughout. The paintwork was done to very good standards and is in great shape overall, other than some scratches on the front left fender and some cracking in the right door. The chrome is attractive and presentable with light pitting in selected areas such as the bumpers, as well as a dent in one of the horizontal grille strips. The glazing is generally very nice, with some wiper marks in the front windscreen. The headlamps are Carello items in excellent shape.

The interior has a period correct trim pattern finished in a typical Alfa Romeo color scheme of dark blue and light grey, which is very attractive. The upholstery and door panels are in excellent shape, as are the carpets, which are high quality light grey wool with contrasting dark blue binding. The dashboard is in very nice condition and the gauges are excellent, with a wonderful artistic 1950s aesthetic. The steering wheel is in excellent shape and has a similarly artful execution. The switches and other controls are also in very good condition.

The engine compartment is clean and relatively tidy, but not detailed for show. Certainly it is well above average in presentation for a driver. The trunk is relatively Spartan but displays the car’s excellent structure, including the trunk floor, which, like the undercarriage, is exceeding solid and shows no signs of damage. The trunk has a diamond pattern rubber mat which is consistent with the Pirelli supplied rubber floor coverings common on Italian cars of the period.

The car was part of a significant collection of Alfa Romeos but has sat unused in recent years. It runs and drives at this time, but prior to use on a long distance touring, it would be wise to perform a thorough service.

This is an excellent opportunity to acquire a genuine Touring-bodied, matching numbers, 1900C with important period racing history that makes a good cosmetic impression and has excellent integrity. It has interesting history, including documented participation in one of the greatest automobile races of all times, which should greatly improve its eligibility to premier events, such as the Mille Miglia. Once fully sorted mechanically, it will make an ideal event car thanks to the weather protection provided by the body style, as well as its 1953 build date. It comes with photographs from the restoration, John deBoer’s historical synopsis, as well as Automobile Club d’Italia registration docs.

The above vehicle information is complete and accurate to the best of our knowledge at the time it is posted to this website. Corrections or additional information is always appreciated. All advertised prices exclude government fees and taxes, any finance charges, any dealer document preparation charge, and any emission testing charge. Vehicles are subject to prior sale. All advertised to be true but not guaranteed. We assume no liability for errors or omissions.

Inquire About This Car

Fantasy Junction  •  510-653-7555  •  1145 Park Ave, Emeryville, CA 94608