"Bookkeeping" is the only word in the English language I can think of that has three sets of double letters in a row. Most people misspell it. I'm going to spell it correctly, but misuse it to talk about two books that have given direction to The Alfatross' restoration. But first . . . .
Consulting the Alfa Romeo 1900 Companion (http://www.alfa1900.com/stories2/extant_zagatos/index.html), which has photos of all known 1900 SSZs, I had two important revelations: First, that while cars that left the Zagato factory probably had bumpers to start with, the vast majority now have no front bumper, and probably no rear bumper, either (most photos just show just the front of the car). This is probably due to a decision by most restorers to delete one or both bumpers for a cleaner appearance. Second, that there are two distinctly different types of bumpers that show up in period photos of 1900 Zs. The most common (with variants) is a thin, blade-like, probably aluminum, strip curving inward and upward at the ends to follow the shape of the horizontal grilles in front with a simpler flat, straight matching rear bumper.
The other bumper type looks more substantial and less like an afterthought. Sometimes called "mustachios,"these bumpers are split in the middle, both front and rear, wrapping around the corners. They are seen mostly on cars produced later in the series (late 1955 and '56). Although these bumpers are more refined and attractive that the more common blade type, they too are frequently absent on restored cars.
Verdict: Authenticity votes for replicating the thin, flat bumpers front and rear for The Alfatross--even though most restorers seem to think the cars look better without them.
I recently bought a copy of The Stewardship of Historically Important Automobiles edited by Dr. Fred Simeone with contributions by numerous well-known collectors, curators, conservators, auctioneers, and concours event organizers and judges. The book was compiled to make a simple statement: It starts with the concept that certain cars transcend individual ownership and should be preserved unmolested for future generations. I bought the book because I wanted to know if The Alfatross qualifies as an historically important automobile. On page 19 I found a list of 6 criteria used to determine a car's importance:
I was already aware that many authorities agree that The Alfatross and its siblings qualify as rare examples of design innovation and aesthetic achievement, with varying degrees of originality, but until I read Michele Marchiano's book, Le Zagato: Fiat Berlinetta 8VZ Alfa Romeo 1900 SSZ. I did not realize that they might also qualify on the basis of the part they played in an historical period involving the dynamic between Fiat and Alfa Romeo, the post-war racing scene in Europe, and the Zagato family. Most of the following information comes from Marchiano's book, which I have had for 10 years, but never read carefully.
One pair of the right hands belonged to none other than Elio Zagato, son of the founder of La Carrozzoria Zagato. Behind the wheel of his 8VZ he was one of the most winning drivers in the under 2-liter class. The record speaks for itself. According to Le Zagato, although Alfa 1900 SSZs racked up 18 first-in-class wins and two overall wins in major events between 1954 and 1960, Fiat 8VZs took first-in-class 52 times, overall wins 7 times, and 2-liter championships 5 times! Elio Zagato accounted for 22 of those class firsts and 3 championships in 8VZs!
So the historical event The Alfatross and its siblings were part of was the rivalry between Alfa Romeo and Fiat that provided the basic hardware and environment for Ugo Zagato and his sons to apply and field test their unique design and construction techniques. The Alfatross and its siblings may not have won the most races in their day, but they were worthy opponents. In the words of Elio Zagato,
Old Business
What to do about bumpers for the Alfatross has been at issue over the last several posts. It had no rear bumper when I bought it and the front bumper that came with the car is an obviously incorrect, hideous replacement. The restoration options are (1) delete one or both bumpers for esthetic reasons, (2) design and install "custom" bumpers more to my liking, or (3) determine what the original bumpers probably looked like and fabricate and install exact replicas. That the Alfatross had bumpers originally is not in doubt because bumper supports are still present in front and attachment points for the rear bumper are visible in the trunk.Consulting the Alfa Romeo 1900 Companion (http://www.alfa1900.com/stories2/extant_zagatos/index.html), which has photos of all known 1900 SSZs, I had two important revelations: First, that while cars that left the Zagato factory probably had bumpers to start with, the vast majority now have no front bumper, and probably no rear bumper, either (most photos just show just the front of the car). This is probably due to a decision by most restorers to delete one or both bumpers for a cleaner appearance. Second, that there are two distinctly different types of bumpers that show up in period photos of 1900 Zs. The most common (with variants) is a thin, blade-like, probably aluminum, strip curving inward and upward at the ends to follow the shape of the horizontal grilles in front with a simpler flat, straight matching rear bumper.
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| The front bumper type most commonly seen in period photos. Le Zagato. |
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| . . . and the matching flat, straight blade type rear bumper. Le Zagato. |
The other bumper type looks more substantial and less like an afterthought. Sometimes called "mustachios,"these bumpers are split in the middle, both front and rear, wrapping around the corners. They are seen mostly on cars produced later in the series (late 1955 and '56). Although these bumpers are more refined and attractive that the more common blade type, they too are frequently absent on restored cars.
Verdict: Authenticity votes for replicating the thin, flat bumpers front and rear for The Alfatross--even though most restorers seem to think the cars look better without them.
New Business
I recently bought a copy of The Stewardship of Historically Important Automobiles edited by Dr. Fred Simeone with contributions by numerous well-known collectors, curators, conservators, auctioneers, and concours event organizers and judges. The book was compiled to make a simple statement: It starts with the concept that certain cars transcend individual ownership and should be preserved unmolested for future generations. I bought the book because I wanted to know if The Alfatross qualifies as an historically important automobile. On page 19 I found a list of 6 criteria used to determine a car's importance:- association with a particular historic event or individuals
- rarity as a survivor of its type
- evidence of past design innovation, style, construction techniques, etc.
- condition and extent of remaining original material
- political, cultural , or spiritual significance for a particular segment of society
- exceptional aesthetic qualities of form and decoration
I was already aware that many authorities agree that The Alfatross and its siblings qualify as rare examples of design innovation and aesthetic achievement, with varying degrees of originality, but until I read Michele Marchiano's book, Le Zagato: Fiat Berlinetta 8VZ Alfa Romeo 1900 SSZ. I did not realize that they might also qualify on the basis of the part they played in an historical period involving the dynamic between Fiat and Alfa Romeo, the post-war racing scene in Europe, and the Zagato family. Most of the following information comes from Marchiano's book, which I have had for 10 years, but never read carefully.
Fiat "Ottovu" (8V) Zagato
At about the same time that Alfa Romeo began to produce its 1900 series, Fiat introduced the "Ottovu," an 8-cylinder 2-liter (1,996 cc) coupe. Racers immediately recognized the car's competition potential and created a demand for cars with lighter, more aerodynamic bodies. Zagato bodied 30 (or possibly up to 46) 8V chassis between 1952 and 1954. In the right hands they proved to be formidable contenders on closed tracks as well as in road races, and rallies.
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| The Leto di Priolo brothers Fiat 8VZ, driven hard in the 1953 Stella Alpina event. Le Zagato. |
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| The 8Vs engine was an aluminum block, aluminum head 70 degree 2-liter V-8 cranking out 125 hp in its final form--only marginally more that the 1900 SS 4-cylinder engine! Le Zagato. |
One pair of the right hands belonged to none other than Elio Zagato, son of the founder of La Carrozzoria Zagato. Behind the wheel of his 8VZ he was one of the most winning drivers in the under 2-liter class. The record speaks for itself. According to Le Zagato, although Alfa 1900 SSZs racked up 18 first-in-class wins and two overall wins in major events between 1954 and 1960, Fiat 8VZs took first-in-class 52 times, overall wins 7 times, and 2-liter championships 5 times! Elio Zagato accounted for 22 of those class firsts and 3 championships in 8VZs!
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| The Alfa Romeo "millenove" 1900C SSZ at speed. Le Zagato. |
So the historical event The Alfatross and its siblings were part of was the rivalry between Alfa Romeo and Fiat that provided the basic hardware and environment for Ugo Zagato and his sons to apply and field test their unique design and construction techniques. The Alfatross and its siblings may not have won the most races in their day, but they were worthy opponents. In the words of Elio Zagato,
"The Alfa Romeo 1900 SSZ, however, was my rival. It was a car just as outstanding. It seemed strange "fighting" against it but when I got into a car I became a racing driver and forgot about everything else. Even so, few cars gave the Ottovu so much competition. The real winner then was not myself but the person who had built them both: my father."
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| This Zagato-bodied Fiat 8V was sold at auction in 2012 for $750,000. Viewed from the side the car bears a striking resemblance to Zagato-bodied Alfa 1900C SS cars like The Alfatross. Sports Car Market. |
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| This photo encapsulates the long mid-'50s duel between the Fiat 8VZ and the Alfa 1900Z; even though the 8V spun out in this 6-hour event, it went on to win the race! Le Zagato. |
