Fantasy Junction

Description

1954 Alfa Romeo 1900 CSS Five Window Coupe by Touring
s/n 01801, engine no. 1308-00844
Dark Green with Two Tone Green Interior

The 1900 was Alfa Romeo’s first all new postwar model and featured a number of innovative features including unit chassis, 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 (CS and CSS) 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. Most were fitted to Super specification chassis, but a handful were fitted to cars of the most desirable Super Sprint (or CSS) specification. This variant was differentiated by its twin downdraft Solex carburetors and 5-speed manual transmission.

This particular car is a genuine CSS bodied by Touring, as confirmed directly by Alfa Romeo’s Automobilismo Storico Centro Documentazione (Historic Automobile Documentation Center). The car was completed on the 28th of May 1954 and sold new on the 27th of December 1954 to a “Rezzaghi” in San Francisco. Presumably, the purchaser was either Charles (Carlo) Rezzaghi or his dealer, Rezzaghi Motors, which sold Ferraris, Maseratis, OSCAs, and Alfa Romeos in San Francisco during the 1950s and 60s. Alfa Romeo’s records also indicate the car’s original color was “silk green”.

The car was acquired by its current owner in early 2012 as a mostly finished restoration to high standards, but still needing final assembly, sorting, and interior. The owner is a seasoned collector and set about having his preferred shops finish the car. The instruments were rebuilt by North Hollywood Speedometer, the carburetors rebuilt, the interior redone, the wheel cylinders replaced and final assembly performed. The car was dialed in and is now a cosmetically beautiful and mechanically sorted example that is event-eligible and ready to enjoy.

The car has tremendous cosmetic presence with a very fresh appearance throughout. The body is straight and displays great gaps throughout. The paintwork was done to high standards with a mirror-like finish throughout. It is virtually unmarked, with one chip of significance on the leading edge of the left door, some light scratches, and some superficial prep issues that have caused bubbling in the character line near the right tail lamp and below the chrome trim on the right rocker. The chrome is extremely nice throughout, with a like new appearance throughout other than one thin area near the key hole on the driver’s door handle. The remaining chrome is in near show condition. The bumpers are not currently installed but are included with the car. The wheels are beautifully restored and sit on period correct Michelin X tires. The lights are excellent throughout and the car has period Carello headlamps. The glass is excellent and the rear quarter windows are Plexiglas with very little wear. The badges and trim have beautiful detailing and are freshly restored.

The interior was restored to very high standards and presents beautifully with very little wear. The leather and carpets are both extremely high quality materials and the workmanship is excellent. The dashboard is superb save for some very minor surface flaws to the paint. The switches and instruments are excellent. The car is fitted with desirable flat Nardi wood-rimmed steering wheel. The carpets and headliner are both wool and have an accordingly premium feel.

The engine is very clean and detailed, but not quite to show standards. The engine block, while stamped to match, is a replacement unit of the correct type. The car retains the correct distributor configuration, downdraft Solex carburetors, and airbox, which are unique to the CSS model. The engine has a period correct appearance down to the small details, including yellow fuel lines and original charging equipment. The trunk has been nicely restored and has correct spare and rubber mat. The undercarriage is structurally solid, dry, and restored to a high, if not quite concours level. It is nicely detailed and quite clean throughout.

The car runs and drives superbly. The engine runs well, being well tuned and making good power. The clutch takeup is reassuringly solid and the transmission has excellent synchromesh. The 5-speed column shift is unusual but effective and lends a sense of occasion and achievement to driving the car. The body control is excellent and the chassis solid and confidence-inspiring. The quality of the driving experience The overall driving experience is pleasingly coherent and the car is unusually refined for a car of this period, which would make it an excellent event car, particularly because its 5-speed gearbox provides suitably long legs for touring.

This is an exceptional opportunity to acquire a rare and desirable 1900 CSS. Confirmed as an original California car and a genuine CSS by Alfa Romeo’s historic archive, this car has been beautifully restored and is ready to drive. Additionally, thanks to its build date, it is eligible for some of the most prestigious driving events including the California Mille and the Colorado Grand. The car should be an ideal companion for such a trip thanks to its all weather capabilities and 5-speed gearbox. The car comes with its original bumpers, original steering wheel, restored jack, windscreen wipers, miscellaneous other parts, as well as manual and fold out wiring diagram.

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.

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