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Alfa Romeo 1900#1900 Berlina and Sprint

{{Infobox automobile

| name = Alfa Romeo 1900

| image = Alfa Romeo museum - Alfa Romeo 1900.jpg

| caption = 1950 Alfa Romeo 1900

| manufacturer = Alfa Romeo

| aka =

| production = 1950–1959

| assembly = Italy: Portello Plant, Milan
Belgium: Nessonvaux, Liege, (S.A. Impéria: 1953–1954){{cite web |url=http://www.motocollection.com/ansp-LBN.htm |title=Les belles Nessonvautoises |language = fr | website=motocollection.com |access-date=2008-10-19 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110714120601/http://www.motocollection.com/ansp-LBN.htm |archive-date=2011-07-14}}

| designer = Orazio Satta

| class =

| body_style = {{unbulleted list |4-door saloon (Berlina)|2-door coupé (Sprint)|2-door convertible}}

| layout = Front-engine, rear-wheel-drive

| platform =

| related = {{unbulleted list |Alfa Romeo Matta|Alfa Romeo 2000 Sportiva|Alfa Romeo BAT|IKA Bergantín}}

| engine = 1.9 L tipo 1306 DOHC I4
2.0 L tipo 1308 DOHC I4

| transmission = 4- and 5-speed manual

| wheelbase = Berlina/Sprint
{{convert|2630|mm|in|1|abbr=on}}/{{convert|2500|mm|in|1|abbr=on}}
{{convert|2500|mm|in|1|abbr=on}} (1900C)

| length = {{convert|4400|mm|in|1|abbr=on}}/{{convert|4400|mm|in|1|abbr=on}}

| width = {{convert|1600|mm|in|1|abbr=on}}/{{convert|1630|mm|in|1|abbr=on}}

| height = {{convert|1490|mm|in|1|abbr=on}}/{{convert|1350|mm|in|1|abbr=on}}

| weight = {{convert|900|-|1100|kg|abbr=on}}

| predecessor = Alfa Romeo 6C 2500

| successor = Alfa Romeo 2000

| sp = uk

}}

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.{{cite web | work = Conceptcarz | url = http://www.conceptcarz.com/vehicle/z14034/Alfa-Romeo-1900-CSS.aspx | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20170630023533/https://www.conceptcarz.com/vehicle/z14034/Alfa-Romeo-1900-CSS.aspx | archive-date = 2017-06-30 | title = 1955 Alfa Romeo 1900 CSS }} The car was introduced at the 1950 Paris Motor Show.{{cite web |url=http://www.sportscarauction.ch/index.php?content=item&type=car&item=7 |title=Alfa Romeo 1900 C Super Sprint 1956 |website=sportscarauction.ch |access-date=2008-01-20 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110707003019/http://www.sportscarauction.ch/index.php?content=item&type=car&item=7 |archive-date=2011-07-07 }}

1900 Berlina and Sprint

The 1900 was offered in two-door or four-door models, with a new 1,884 cc (bore {{convert|82.55|mm|in|1|abbr=on}}, stroke {{convert|88|mm|in|1|abbr=on}}), {{cvt|90|hp-metric|kW|0}}, 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 {{convert|2500|mm|in|1|abbr=on}}.{{cite web|url=http://www.sportscarmarket.com/Profiles/2004/June/Alfa%20Romeo/|title=1954 Alfa Romeo 1900 Sprint|access-date=2008-11-01|work=sportscarmarket.com/Profiles/2004|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090108095728/http://www.sportscarmarket.com/Profiles/2004/June/Alfa%20Romeo/|archive-date=2009-01-08}} In the same year, the 1900 TI with a more powerful {{cvt|100|hp-metric|kW|0}} 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 {{convert|84.5|mm|in|1|abbr=on}}, stroke unchanged). The TI Super had two double carburetors and {{cvt|115|hp-metric|kW|0}}. 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.

{{multiple image

| direction = vertical

| align = left

| image1 = 1956 Alfa Romeo 1900 S Berlina IMG 7241.jpg

| caption1 = 1956 1900 Super

| image2 = Festival automobile international 2011 - Vente aux enchères - Alfa Romeo 1900 Super Berline - 1954 - 005.jpg

| caption2 = 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.{{citation | title = Alfa Romeo Typenhandbuch, Alle Modelle von 1910 bis heute | language = de | first = Jörg | last = Walz | isbn = 978-3898801140 | date = 2002 | publisher = Heel }}

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

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,{{sfn |Garcia|1983| p=73}} thus from 1951 to 1958 Alfa Romeo built five different variations of the 1900 unibody chassis specifically for independent coachbuilders.{{sfn |Garcia|1983| p=118}}

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.{{sfn |Garcia|1983| p=85}}

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.{{sfn |Garcia|1983| p=85}}

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.{{sfn |Garcia|1983| p=92}} 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.{{cite web |url=http://www.bonhams.com/auctions/17043/lot/137/ |title=Boat Car |website=bonhams.com |access-date=2012-06-06}}{{cite web |url=http://stubs-auto.fr/one-off/alfa-romeo-spider-1900-ss-ghia-aigle-1956/ |title=Alfa Romeo Spider 1900 SS Ghia-Aigle 1956 |website=stubs-auto.fr |access-date=2012-06-06 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130507043540/http://stubs-auto.fr/one-off/alfa-romeo-spider-1900-ss-ghia-aigle-1956/ |archive-date=2013-05-07 }}

File:BATcars.jpg concept cars, all based on Alfa Romeo 1900 chassis]]

File:Rally Monte Carlo passeren Amsterdam, Bestanddeelnr 906-2535.jpg

Below is a list of coachbuilt Alfa Romeo 1900s.

{{clear-left}}

class="wikitable"
Year

! Coachbuilder

! Model

! Quantity

1951

| Touring

| Sprint 2+2{{sfn |Garcia|1983| p=74}}

| circa 800{{sfn |Garcia|1983| p=75}}

–

| Pinin Farina

| 4 seat Coupé

| 1

1952

| Zagato

| SSZ{{sfn |Garcia|1983| p=78}}

| 39{{cite web |last=Adams |first=Keith |title=Double bubble, no trouble |url=http://www.classicandperformancecar.com/features/octane_features/271285/driven_alfa_romeo_1900ssz.html |website=classicandperformancecar.com |publisher=Dennis Publishing Limited |access-date=22 May 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130606052626/http://www.classicandperformancecar.com/features/octane_features/271285/driven_alfa_romeo_1900ssz.html |archive-date=6 June 2013 }}

1957

| Zagato

| SSZ Spyder{{sfn |Garcia|1983| p=78}}

| 2

1953

| Touring

| Corto Gara{{cite web |url=http://www.rmauctions.com/lots/lot.cfm?lot_id=1049718|title=1953 Alfa Romeo 1900 Corto Gara Stradale by Carrozzeria Touring |access-date=2013-06-12 |website=rmauctions.com}}

| 11 (incl. 3 Stradale)

1955

| Touring

| "tipo 55" coupé 2 seater.{{sfn |Garcia|1983| p=80}}

| 1

1955

| Touring

| "tipo 55" cabriolet 2 seater.{{sfn |Garcia|1983| p=80}}

| 1

1956

| Touring

| "1966 Series" Super Sprint 2 seater.{{sfn |Garcia|1983| p=82}}

| –

1957

| Touring

| "1966 Series" Cabriolet 2+2{{sfn |Garcia|1983| p=84}}

| 1

1952

| Pinin Farina

| Cabriolet

| 88{{sfn |Garcia|1983| p=86}}

1952

| Pinin Farina

| Coupé

| 100{{sfn |Garcia|1983| p=86}}

1953

| Pinin Farina

| Coupé

| 1{{sfn |Garcia|1983| p=88}}

1952

| Pinin Farina

| TI Coupé

| 1-2{{cite web |last=Melissen |first=Wouter |title=Alfa Romeo 1900 TI Pinin Farina Coupe |url=http://www.ultimatecarpage.com/car/3308/Alfa-Romeo-1900-TI-Pinin-Farina-Coupe.html |website=ultimatecarpage.com |access-date=22 May 2013}}

1953

| Boneschi

| Astral spider

| 2{{cite web |url=http://www.alfabb.com/bb/forums/1900-2000-2600-1950-1968/7326-alfa-romeo-1900-boneschi-convertible.html |title=Alfa Bulletin Board |website=alfabb.com |access-date=22 May 2013}}{{Better source needed |reason=forum is not suitable source |date=June 2013}}

1955

| Boano

| Primavera Coupé

| –

1955

| Boano

| SS Coupé

| –

–

| Boano

| Coupé Tipo3

| 1

1952

| Colli

| Coupé

| –

1952

| Stabilimenti Farina

| Victoria Cabriolet

| 48{{Cite web|url=http://www.imcdb.org/vehicle_475603-Alfa-Romeo-1900-Cabriolet-1954.html|title=1954 Alfa Romeo 1900 Cabriolet Pinin Farina|access-date=2013-06-18|work=imcdb.org}}

1952

| Boneschi

| Coupé

| –

1953

| Ghia

| C coupé

| –

1953

| Ghia

| SS coupé

| 1{{cite web |url=http://www.conceptcarz.com/vehicle/z8995/Alfa-Romeo-1900.aspx |title=1953 Alfa Romeo 1900 |website=conceptcarz.com |access-date =2013-06-17}}

1954–1955

| Ghia

| 1900C Coupé Special

| 10{{cite web |url=http://www.supercars.net/cars/2180.html |title=1954–1955 Alfa Romeo 1900C Ghia Special |website=supercars.net |access-date=22 May 2013}}{{cite web|url=https://www.hemmings.com/stories/article/carrozzeria-caressed-factory-fettled-1954-alfa-romeo-1900-css-ghia-speciale|title=Carrozzeria Caressed, Factory Fettled - 1954 Alfa Romeo 1900 CSS Ghia Speciale|access-date=21 May 2022}}

1955

| Ghia-Aigle

| Cabriolet (I){{cite web |last=Montowski |first=Lutzi |title=1955 Relocation from Aigle to Lugano (Tessin, CH), Via Monte Boglia |url=http://www.ghia-aigle.info/cars.htm |website=ghia-aigle.info |publisher=Stefan Dierkes |access-date=22 May 2013}}{{cite web |title=Carrosserie Ghia S.A., Aigle & Lugano |url=http://www.oldtimer.400.pl/ghia-aigle.html |website=oldtimer.400.pl |access-date=22 May 2013 |archive-date=22 January 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200122101915/http://www.oldtimer.400.pl/ghia-aigle.html |url-status=dead }}

| 1

1955

| Ghia-Aigle

| Cabriolet (II)

| 1

1956

| Ghia-Aigle

| Coupé

| –

1956

| Ghia-Aigle

| Barchetta "Spider Razza"

| 1

1957

| Ghia-Aigle

| SS Cabriolet

| –

1957–1959

| Ghia-Aigle

| Coupé Lugano

| –

1958

| Ghia-Aigle

| SS Cabriolet

| –

1958

| Ghia-Aigle

| SS Coupé

| –

1953

| Bertone

| BAT 5

| 1

1954

| Bertone

| BAT 7

| 1

1955

| Bertone

| BAT 9

| 1

–

| Bertone

| Coupé

| –

1955

| Worblaufen{{cite web |url=http://www.coachbuild.com/index.php?option=com_gallery2&Itemid=50&g2_itemId=22233 |title=Worblaufen Alfa Romeo 1900 SS Cabriolet 1955 |website=coachbuild.com |access-date=2012-06-07 |archive-date=2020-11-12 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201112032615/https://www.coachbuild.com/index.php?option=com_gallery2 |url-status=dead }}

| SS Cabriolet

| –

1953

| Vignale

| "La Fleche" Spider

| 1

1953

| Vignale

| SS Coupé

| –

=1954 Alfa Romeo 1900 Sport Spider=

File:Arese Museo Storico Alfa Romeo 1954 1900 Sport Spider 4.jpg]]

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 {{convert|2000|lb|0|abbr=}} and has {{convert|138|hp|0}}. The acceleration is on par with most contemporary exotics{{Citation needed|date=July 2019}} and top speed is around {{convert|137|mi/h|km/h|abbr=on}}.{{cite web |url=http://www.autoweek.com/article/20100519/collector/100519845 |title=1954 Alfa Romeo 1900 Sport Spider: Prototype for a supercar |website=autoweek.com | date=2010-05-19 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130117093037/http://www.autoweek.com/article/20100519/collector/100519845 |archive-date=2013-01-17 | publisher = Crain Communications, Inc. | first = Jan | last = Tegler }}

File:Alfa Romeo 2000 Sportiva Goodwood.jpg

Engines

class="wikitable" style="text-align:center; font-size:91%;"
Model

! Displacement

! Power

! Top speed

19001,884 cc{{Convert|80-90|bhp|0|abbr=on}}{{convert|103|mph|km/habbr=on}}-{{convert|106|mph|km/habbr=on}}{{cite web |url=http://www.motorbase.com/vehicle/by-id/54/ |title=Alfa Romeo 1900 |website=motorbase.com |access-date=2007-10-26 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071018142320/http://www.motorbase.com/vehicle/by-id/54/ |archive-date=18 October 2007 |url-status=live}}{{cite web |url=http://www.carsfromitaly.net/ |title=Alfa Romeo/Models/Alfa Romeo 1900 |website=carsfromitaly.net |access-date=2007-07-08 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070731135954/http://carsfromitaly.net/ |archive-date=31 July 2007 |url-status=live}}
TI1,884 cc{{Convert|100|bhp|0|abbr=on}}{{convert|170|km/h|mph|0|abbr=on}}{{cite web|url=http://www.geocities.com/alfaromeo1900/1900tien.htm |title=1900 TI |access-date=2007-10-26 |website=geocities.com |archive-url=https://archive.today/20091025061550/http://www.geocities.com/alfaromeo1900/1900tien.htm |archive-date=2009-10-25 |url-status=dead }}
Super1,975 cc{{Convert|90|bhp|0|abbr=on}}{{convert|160|km/h|mphabbr=on}}{{cite web |url=http://www.carfolio.com/specifications/models/car/?car=52745 |title=1954 Alfa Romeo 1900 Berlina Super |website=carfolio.com |access-date=2007-10-26}}
TI Super1,975 cc{{Convert|115|bhp|0|abbr=on}}{{convert|112|mph|km/habbr=on}}

{{anchor|IKA|Bergantin|Kaiser}} IKA Bergantín

Between March 1960 and February 1962 Industrias Kaiser Argentina produced a car named {{ill|IKA Bergantín|es}}. The body and suspension was from the 1900 Berlina while the drivetrains came from Willys; a {{cvt|151|cuin|L|1|disp=flip}} inline-four was fitted to most examples, while the Continental {{cvt|3707|cc|L cuin|1|order=out}} inline-six equipped the Bergantín Super 6.{{cite web |url=http://blogs.consumeraffairs.com/alfa_news/129/strange-bedfellows-or-alfa-kaiser |title=Alfa Club News |website=blogs.consumeraffairs.com/alfa_news |access-date=2007-07-08 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070929092659/http://blogs.consumeraffairs.com/alfa_news/129/strange-bedfellows-or-alfa-kaiser |archive-date=2007-09-29}} Maximum power is {{cvt|77|hp|kW|0}} and {{cvt|115|hp|kW|0}}, 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

File:Alfa 1900.jpg|1900 C Sprint Touring (1951; first series)

File:Alfa Romeo 1900 C Super Sprint Touring (1954) Classic-Gala 2021 1X7A0157.jpg|1900 C Super Sprint Touring (1954; second series)

File:1956 Alfa Romeo 1900 C Super Sprint Touring, front right (Greenwich 2023).jpg|1900C Super Sprint Touring (1956; third series)

File:Alfa Romeo 1900 SS Ghia.jpg|1900 SS Ghia (1954)

File:Alfa Romeo 1900 CSS GTS 6 green v TCE.jpg|1900 CSS Zagato

File:AlfaRomeo1900SSZagato1956.jpg|1900 SS Zagato

File:55 Alfa Ghia modified.jpg|Ghia Speciale 1900 CSS

File:1952 Alfa Romeo 1900C Berlinetta.jpg|1900C Berlinetta Touring Superleggera (1952)

File:Alfa Romeo 1900 L (1952).jpg|1900 L Victoria Cabriolet 1952 Stabilimenti Farina

File:Alfa romeo de collection au col du petit saint bernard aout 2011 - panoramio.jpg|1900 Sprint Cabriolet Pinin Farina (1953)

File:1955 Alfa Romeo 1900C SS Cabriolet La Fleche Vignale by Michelotti.jpg|1900C SS Cabriolet La Fleche Vignale

File:1956 Alfa Romeo 1900 C Super Sprint engine (Greenwich 2023).jpg|The later, 1975 cc (tipo 1308) engine in a 1900 C SS

References

=Notes=

{{reflist|30em}}

=Bibliography=

{{refbegin}}

  • {{cite book |last=Döhren |first=H.-Jürgen |title=Millenove—Alfa Romeo 1900, 1950–1959 |publisher=Alfapoint |year=2012 |ISBN=978-3-00-037417-3}}
  • {{cite book |last=Garcia |first=Gonzalo Alvarez |title=Alfa Romeo 1900 Sprint |year=1983 |publisher=Edizioni della Libreria dell'Automoble |location=Milan, Italy |asin=B003B5M3SI }}

{{refend}}

External links

{{commons category|Alfa Romeo 1900}}

  • [http://www.ar1900reg.org/ Alfa Romeo 1900 Register]

{{Alfa Romeo}}

{{Alfa Romeo Post War}}

1900

Category:Rear-wheel-drive vehicles

Category:Cars introduced in 1950

Category:Sports sedans

Category:Coupés

Category:Roadsters

Category:Cars discontinued in 1959