Premium

Alfa Romeo 1900 - the sensational saloon from Milan

Name: Alfa Romeo 1900 Super 1956
Brand: Alfa Romeo

This article was auto-translated. We apologize if some words are confusing or simply amusing. Would you like to help us improve?

Created on March 18, 2018

Text:

Bruno von Rotz

Photos:

Daniel Reinhard

Bruno von Rotz

Alfa Romeo / Werk

FabPetersson Fotografie

Jurrie Vanhalle (vjimages.be)

Archiv

Daniel Reinhard

Bruno von Rotz

Alfa Romeo / Werk

FabPetersson Fotografie

Jurrie Vanhalle (vjimages.be)

Archiv

70 1

Alfa Romeo 1900 Super (1956) - the Alfa was around 160 km/h fast back then

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Alfa Romeo 1900 Super (1956) - the first new design from Alfa Romeo after the war and the beginning of a successful future

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Alfa Romeo 1900 Super (1956) - still a pleasure to drive today

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Alfa Romeo 1900 Super (1956) - when there was still no optical exhaust tuning

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Alfa Romeo 1900 Super (1956) - 4.4 meters long, 1.6 meters wide

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Alfa Romeo 1900 Super (1956) - stylistically, no major experiments were made with the design

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Alfa Romeo 1900 Super (1956) - almost 1.5 meters high

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Alfa Romeo 1900 Super (1956) - the clarity of the Alfa body was not optimal

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Alfa Romeo 1900 Super (1956) - spacious saloon on a comparatively small footprint

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Alfa Romeo 1900 Super (1956) - the rear window became larger in the course of production

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Alfa Romeo 1900 Super (1956) - wheelbase 2.64 meters

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Alfa Romeo 1900 Super (1956) - elegant bodywork

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Alfa Romeo 1900 Super (1956) - face with a lot of overtaking prestige

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Alfa Romeo 1900 Super (1956) - with a pleasant background noise

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Alfa Romeo 1900 Super (1956) - the 1900 Berlina was one of the fastest cars on the road at the time

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Alfa Romeo 1900 Super (1956) - Seat bench and steering wheel gearshift

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Alfa Romeo 1900 Super (1956) - stylish and modern

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Alfa Romeo 1900 Super (1956) - three large round instruments in front of the driver

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Alfa Romeo 1900 Super (1956) - Speedometer up to 180 km/h, rev counter with red area from 5000 rpm

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Alfa Romeo 1900 Super (1956) - Space for the car radio

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Alfa Romeo 1900 Super (1956) - even the glove compartment is labeled

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Alfa Romeo 1900 Super (1956) - upright pedals

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Alfa Romeo 1900 Super (1956) - good space in the engine compartment

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Alfa Romeo 1900 Super (1956) - the heart, the twin-camshaft four-cylinder engine

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Alfa Romeo 1900 Super (1956) - longitudinally mounted four-cylinder engine

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Alfa Romeo 1900 Super (1956) - classic Alfa Romeo radiators

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Alfa Romeo 1900 Super (1956) - round front headlights

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Alfa Romeo 1900 Super (1956) - with the classic Alfa Romeo emblem

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Alfa Romeo 1900 Super (1956) - aerodynamic radiator mascot in the style of the time

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Alfa Romeo 1900 Super (1956) - Radiator grille typical of the jet age

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Alfa Romeo 1900 Super (1956) - Radiator grille on the hood

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Alfa Romeo 1900 Super (1956) - the Super was more powerful and slightly more expensive

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Alfa Romeo 1900 Super (1956) - clearly labeled

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Alfa Romeo 1900 Super (1956) - lettering on the flank

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Alfa Romeo 1900 Super (1956) - Windshield wiper in butterfly configuration

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Alfa Romeo 1900 Super (1956) - with rear-view mirror, probably retrofitted later

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Alfa Romeo 1900 Super (1956) - economical embellishments around the car

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Alfa Romeo 1900 Super (1956) - Steel wheels and hubcaps

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Alfa Romeo 1900 Super (1956) - small rear lights on top of the fenders

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Alfa Romeo 1900 - Exhibition and demonstration model at the 1951 Geneva Motor Show

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Alfa Romeo 1900 TI (1954) - the four-door sedan in the fast version - Geneva Motor Show 1954

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Alfa Romeo 1900 (1953) - View of the interior of a right-hand drive sedan

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Alfa Romeo 1900 (1953) - the in-line four-cylinder engine

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Alfa Romeo 1900 TI (1954) - perforated wheel disks - the ribbed brake drums are visible behind them - Geneva Motor Show 1954

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Alfa Romeo 1900 Super (1956) - much noticed in Geneva

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Alfa Romeo 1900 TI (1952) - The racing driver Senator Cornaggia-Medici

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Alfa Romeo 1900 (1952) - Series production of the 1900 sedan

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Alfa Romeo 1900 TI (1954) at the Carrera Panamericana 1954 - The Alfa Romeo 1900 TI had no serious rivals in the European touring cars up to two liters

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Steering wheels from Italy for the Alfa Romeo 1900 and the Fiat 1200 on the Veglia stand

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Alfa Romeo 1900 Berlina (1950) - the limousine

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Alfa Romeo 1900 Berlina (1950) - the four-door sedan

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Alfa Romeo 1900 Super (1958) - in two-tone paintwork

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Alfa Romeo 1900 Berlina (1952) - the four-door saloon from the inside

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Alfa Romeo 1900 Super (1957) - offered for Euro 33'000 - Auto e Moto d'Epoca 2014

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Alfa Romeo 1900 Super (1954) - with number E5 in the Concours d'Elégance at the Schloss Bensberg Classics 2015

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Alfa Romeo 1900 (1956) at the Historic Trophy Nürburgring 2015 - Youngtimer Trophy and FHR Endurance Cup

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Alfa Romeo 1900 Sprint (1954) - in the Museo Storico Alfa Romeo Arese

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Alfa Romeo 1900 (1954) - Limousine promotion on the Alfa stand - Techno Classica 2016

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Alfa Romeo 1900 Super (1955) - at the Mille Miglia 2016

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Alfa Romeo 1900 Super Berlina (1957) - Top speed of 160 km/h with 90 hp from 1975 cm3 - Italian Car Passion 2015/2016

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Alfa Romeo 1900 TI Berlina (1953) - Julius Baer Rallye - Passione Engadina 2017

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Alfa Romeo 1900 TI Berlina (1953) - on the first day - Passione Engadina 2017

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Alfa Romeo 1900 C (1952) - the supporting structure of the 1900 C, which formed the basis for the Touring and Pininfarina variants

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Alfa Romeo 1900 C (1952) - Touring Superleggera bodywork

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Alfa Romeo 1900 B. A. T. (1956) - elegant front design of the Bertone creation - Geneva Motor Show 1956

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Alfa Romeo 1900 B. A. T. (1956) - Bertone variant with large rear window - Geneva Motor Show 1956

You have only

5 out of 70

images seen in high resolution

Summary

The Alfa Romeo 1900 was a surprise in 1950, a big surprise, because in addition to the previous range consisting exclusively of large six-cylinder cars, the Milanese company introduced a compact four-cylinder saloon that was almost half the price. And because it was hardly any slower and less sporty than its big brothers, it was almost celebrated as a sensation. But it was certainly an important milestone for Alfa Romeo. This report tells the story of the epoch-making design and shows the car in current and historical pictures, supplemented by a sound sample.

This article contains the following chapters

Presentation in installments
Completely newly developed
(Almost) no compromises
Tradition and progress
A real touring car
Ever stronger and faster
Many siblings
Replacement after nine years
Sporty
Further information

Estimated reading time: 9min

Preview (beginning of the article)

The Alfa Romeo 1900 was a surprise in 1950, a big surprise. At the time, people had expected Alfa Romeo's first new model after the war to be an expensive six-cylinder or eight-cylinder car, but not a completely new four-cylinder touring car with a self-supporting body at half the price of the previous Alfa Romeo vehicles, which had their roots in the 1930s (and before). By the time the new Alfa was unveiled to the general public at the Paris Motor Show in October 1950, however, people had almost become a little accustomed to the newcomer. In fact, Automobil Revue had already announced early on in 1950 that a smaller model was being worked on in Milan and the first test drives in the still secret 1.9-liter touring car were reported as early as May 1950, although it had not yet taken on its final form.

Welcome to Zwischengas!