Zagato's distinctive Alfa Romeo Coupé
This beautiful Alfa Romeo was originally sold new to their Milanese neighbours and style house Carrozzeria Zagato in October 1955, allowing them to clad it in this distinctive bodywork.
The first owner was Mr Esteban Sala of Barcelona. A racing driver, Sala had the engine prepared by the well-known Turin-based Alfa Romeo specialist tuner, Conrero, and it is highly likely that this car was used for racing in period. The engine's original specification included four Weber carburettors, balancing of the crankshaft, flywheel and clutch; modifications of the intake systems and valve seats; different camshafts and Conrero-type competition pistons. The suspension was left standard, although the stock shock absorbers were specially adjusted. The original power output with the Weber carburettors was 150bhp, a substantial increase over the standard 115 horsepower.
With only 38 examples built with Zagato's lightweight body, and very few equipped with a Conrero-prepared engine from new, this rare Alfa Romeo 1900C really is very special.
Bonhams will be offering this 1955 Alfa Romeo 1900C SZZ Coupé at their upcoming Les Grandes Marques du Monde au Grand Palais Sale in Paris held on the 6th February. For more information on this and other vehicles at the sale, click on the link below. Photos © Courtesy of Bonhams.