1092cc 4-cylinder Engine - 5-speed Manual Transmission - RARE

Description

Year 1955

Make Alfa Romeo

Model 1900cSS

Coachwork Carrozzeria Touring Type Tipo 3 "Five-Window" Berlinetta

Chassis No AR1900C*01879*

Engine No AR1308*00987*

Touring Body No 4297

Production Date August 25th, 1954

Completion Date March 17th, 1955

Exterior Color "Blu Scuro" (Dark Blue)

Interior Color Not Recorded

Destination USA / North American Market

AR1900C*01879* Background & History According to Alfa Romeo's archives:

This 1900cSS Touring Berlinetta was ordered, completed and sold new to the North American market making it one of justa handful of examples sold new to the States. Alfa's internal records record a production date of August 25th, 1954 at which point the rolling floor pan and drive-train were shipped to Carrozzeria Touring in Turin, Italy. While at Touring, this Alfa was assigned body/job number "4297" which when completd was a light-weight, all alloy body designated internally as "TIpo 3." Touring designated this type of patented coachwork as "Superleggera" or simply "Super Lightweight" and bonnet badges with this designation were fitted on both sides. The Tipo 3 type coachwork featured a very light "greenhouse" effect and today is more commonly referred to as the "Five-Window" design. The car was originally painted dark blue with an un-identifed interior color. Completion of this Alfa is recorded on March 17th, 1955 at which point it was shipped to the West Coast of the United States and delivered to the ordering agent, Hoffman FIAT of 9130 Wilshire Blvd, Beverly Hills, California. Hoffman FIAT was Max Hoffman's satellite West Coast Sales and Distributorship for a variety of different vehicles and a way for him to expand and supplement his main Park Avenue, New York based distributor and dealership business of European manufactured automobiles. The oldest known owner of this Alfa was Mr. Neil McKay, during his ownership the car wore California "Black and Yellow" plates "LXC 795" which would have been issued sometime after 1963. Ownership and registration prior to 1963 remains unknown at this time. A color photo of this Alfa showing the "Black and Yellow" plates indicates the car had been painted at some point to a dark burgundy and the bumpers front and rear had been removed early on during the car's life in the States. McKay is believed to have sold the car circa 1969 to Bill Biggs. Biggs offered the car for sale in 1977 and it known to have still owned it in 1978. It then was sold by Biggs and purchased by Robert Rajski but by 1983 it has passed onto the prominent collection of Jack Becronis. His son, Peter then acquired the car and it remained with him until 1989. During the Becronis ownership years, the car remained without bumpers and now was painted bright red. It was then seen and photographed wearing Italian plates "ROMA E57492." It was photographed wearing these plates and sporting race number "175" at the Monterey Historic Races in August of 1985. The Italian plates appear to have been purely cosmetic and not actually assigned to the vehicle formally at anytime. In fact, sometime prior to 1983, the car was issued the very famous California "Blue and Yellow" plates "ALFACSS," There are many famous published and on-line photos of this Alfa sporting these plates. During this same time frame, it was featured prominently in Joe Benson's original 1983 Illustrated Alfa Romeo Buyer's Guide and featured again in subsequent follow-on editions. In 1989 mostly likely with the assistance of Enrico Ciabattoni's European Imports, in Temple City, California, this Alfa was sold to Mr. Mitsuo Hayashi, from Kawasaki, Kanagawa, Japan. Based on a very nice documentation album, photos and correspondences he provided, we understand Hayashi San has owned this Alfa exclusively until our recent purchase from him and subsequent import to the States. While in Hayashi San's possession, this Alfa wore Japanese plates "77 64" and later "72 31." After receiving this Alfa, Hayashi San had it completed stripped to bare metal and completely restored. After completion of the work, he entered and toured with this Alfa frequently over the next 28 years completing on at least three occasions in the Festa Mille Miglia as well as many other organized tours and rallies. AR1900C*01879* Today: After arrival in the States and release by US Customs and delivery to our San Diego Showroom and Shop Complex, we completed comprehensive inspections and evaluations on this rare vehicle. The main focus of our initial inspections were to verify that the rare and unique "cSS" specific components remained with this Alfa. Specifically we found the following: -Engine Original numbers matching engine with high compression pistons and head, competition exhaust headers, specialized intake manifold and Solex carburetors. -Gearbox Correct original Tipo 1308, five-speed, floor-shift gearbox. -Rear Axle Correct original Tipo 1308 axle assembly with taller 3.75:1 final drive ratio. -Brakes Correct special "alfin" double-leading shoe at all four corners. -Rims Correct Double "Outside Lace" Boranni Wire Wheels -Carburetors Correct special SOLEX unites with proper original special intake manifolds and unique air cleaner / silencer assembly. -Fuel Tank Correct original special over-sized fuel tank with cut out to clear rear differential assembly. In addition to the above special "cSS" features, this Alfa also retains the original, rare "Elephant Trunk" cold air duct to help cool the exhaust headers. The double-belt water pump and generator pulley system unique to the "cSS" models remain fitted as does the special alloy cooling fan shroud.