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  1956 ALFA ROMEO 1900 SSZ (Super Sprint Zagato)

Country of Manufacture: Italy        Vin #: 10405
Model Type: 2 Door Coupe
Body Designer: Zagato (Fabio Luigi Rapi)
Engine: In-line 4 Cylinder (1975cc) (this car now has 2300cc Reo engine)
Horsepower: 115 bhp at 5500 rpm (this car now149 bhp @ 5700 rpm)
Torque: 116 lb ft. @ 3700 rpm (this car now 173 lb ft. @ 3500 rpm)
Transmission: 5 Speed
Suspension:
Front-Independent, double wishbones, coil springs and stabilizer bar.
Rear-Coil sprung live axle on two trailing links, a Panhard bar and one triangular anti-torque link.
Brakes:
Front- Drum
Rear- Drum
Top Speed: 112 mph (now capable of far exceeding this base engine top speed)

History: The Alfa Romeo 1900 4 door sedan first appeared in 1950 and “Sprint”coupe variants began to appear 1951. For added performance the coupes had a dual carburetor setup. Sprint (1884cc) engine output was initially 100 bhp, but with the 1956 introduction of the second series Super Sprint (1975cc), engine output increased to 115 bhp.

Production: Alfa Romeo built a total of 21,304 1900’s of all types. The vast majority were basic 4 door sedans, but 1800 shortened wheelbase examples labeled “Sprint (1884cc) or “Super Sprint” (1975cc) were built by several different coachbuilders.  The most interesting and certainly the most aggressively styled were the 41 cars built in 2 series by Zagato (39 coupes and 2 convertibles).  Due to their lightweight construction, the Zagato’s were very successful on the European racing circuit.  This particular car is one of just 4 original Zagato’s 1900’s built with the “double bubble” roof (a 5th car, an early build flat roof, high nose car was later converted in period to a “double bubble” configuration.).  Only the last 3 cars built (incl. this car) had both the “double bubble” and the “low nose” (aka “Lusso”). These “low nose” cars nose hump was less pronounced, had redesigned side windows, an extended roofline, aluminum side strips with flush “pop out” door handles, sculpted (raised hip) rear fenders with larger taillights: altogether a more streamlined & harmonious side profile. This car was raced by Elio Zagato in the 1982 & 1984 Mille Miglia and 3 times since; in 1993 (Eberhard Muessig) and in 1997 & 1999 (Rupert Fischer). For greater reliability and power, this car’s performance has been enhanced with a 1900 derivative engine; the Brazilian made, Alfa Romeo “Reo” 2300cc, 149 hp engine. The original 1975cc SS motor as well as a 2000cc motor are kept for eventual reinstallation.



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