Inside Story (Post # 20)

I'm still waiting for the next shipment of soda to arrive so I can continue cleaning the Alfatross, so now is a good time to consider the strategy for one of the other major tasks: what to do about the interior.  The first question is how original was the Alfatross' interior when I bought it 14 years and 6 owners after it rolled off the factory floor? Every indication is that the only modifications to its original interior were the addition of the Jaeger chronometer and a few badges to the dashboard, the "Dynometer" slung under the dash, lap belts for the front seats, and replacement of the floor covering with an inappropriate grade of carpeting. 

A faded Polaroid photo of the Alfatross' interior in 1965.  It looks more like the
stripped-down cockpit of a racer than that of a grand touring car.

The Alfatross' original interior was Spartan, to say the least, and in keeping with its intended purpose as a race car. The materials used were "economical": naugahyde for the seats, interior panels, and headliner, and some kind of thin synthetic carpeting on the floor. Restoration to original specification would be fairly simple and relatively inexpensive, but is that the way to go? 

Originality vs. Renovation

A few years ago I had the opportunity to examine two of the Alfatross' siblings at a car show back East. One was an unrestored "barn find" and the other was an achingly beautiful restored example. The barn find's interior was similar to the Alfatross' in its simplicity, but there were differences that made me wonder how much of it was original.

The "barn find" 1900 SSZ's interior differs from the Alfatross' in that the seats
are much larger and more refined.  The shifter is on the column rather than on
the transmission hump.  The dash is flat (no bulge for the instrument cluster)
and the glove box has no lid.  The steering wheel is wrapped with some sort
of cord.

The barn find's interior is remarkably fresh-looking with little
 signs of wear.  This is possible if was never used much and was
stored indoors for most or all of its life. 

Almost a twin of the Alfatross, the restored 1900C SSZ sported an interior that was faithful to original appearance, but finished in upscale materials.  The seats and headliner were done in fine leather with contrasting piping.   The carpeting was similarly perfectly fitted and tastefully matched.  It seemed to me to be a good compromise between originality, improved creature comforts and appearance.

The interior of the Alfatross' restored twin: beautiful, functional, and faithful
 to the original design. 

Is this nice or what?

A sympathetic restoration of the Alfatross' seats
would look like this.

Another "barn find" 1900 SSZ manufactured in the same year as the Alfatross turned up in the last few months: http://www.kidston.com/kidston-cars/2425/1955-Alfa-Romeo-1900#.  Although its interior is in poor condition it is clear that the light-weight, small seats are similar to those of the Alfatross and the restored car mentioned above, but the upholstery is different.  The basic layout elements are the same but like the other barn find example the glove box is open, and the instruments are laid out differently due to the flat dash top.

Barn Find car #2.  Is that the remains of carpeting on the floor?

Barn find car #2.  Note the flat dash, open glove box pleated
 seat upholstery, Alfa steering wheel and unidentifiable floor
 covering.

We know that there was little standardization on either the inside or outside of these cars.  Being hand-made, each has its own unique character.  So how do you establish things like authenticity and originality, particularly after the passage of almost 60 years?  Where is the yardstick to measure them by?  

My choices for the Alfatross seem to be:

1. Keep everything original no matter how shabby.  Just wipe it down and put it back, or . . .
2. reupholster the seats and interior fabric panels with new materials that are a perfect match with the originals, or . . .
3. reupholster and re-carpet the interior with higher grade materials more in keeping with the rest of the car and with the restored Nardi wheel, Veglia gauges, and chrome and polished aluminum hardware, or . . . what?

Anybody out there have any advice?