How does The Alfatross compare to its siblings and other cars of the period, following restoration? Did it gain or lose any weight, change its dimensions or balance? Does it run as well as it did when new--or better? Well, it's early days yet, but we can answer some of these questions.
To put things in the proper perspective we need to start with an historical review of the different variants of the 1900 series. The 1900 model type started in 1950 with 5 cars, chassis numbers 1900 00001- 1900 00006, all Berlinas (enclosed 4-door sedans). Powered by the model 1306 1884 cc engine.
The next year Alfa added the Sprint model (1st Series) to their lineup but only 6 examples were made. These were sportier with a shortened chassis and more powerful engine, the 1308 1975 cc engine.
Between its original appearance in 1950 and the end of production in '59, a total of 21,304 1900s were built. Naturally, over such a long production run, there were many modifications and variants, including sub-models 1900C, 1900L, AR51, TI, and AR52. The AR models were "Jeepish" military utility vehicles with 1900 DNA, but not on the same limb of the family tree as the road cars.
The Alfatross was created on a 1900C chassis in 1955. In that year Alfa produced four variants, the 1900 Super, 1900 TI Super, 1900 Sprint 2nd Series, and 1900 Super Sprint. The C suffix stood for "corto"--the short, 2 door chassis--and was stamped into the firewall after the 1900 designation.
21,304=Total type 1900
854 =Total Super Sprint
248= Total Super Sprint in 1955
14= Total 1955 Sprint and Super Sprint Zagatos
Of the original 14 Sprint and SS Zagatos two of them, chassis numbers *01964* and *10095*, seem to have disappeared. The remaining 12 have been or are being restored. Photographs are available at http://www.alfacompanion.com/alfa1900/stories2/extant_zagatos/index.html.
Although they were produced in the same year, each of these cars is different. After 61 years of use, abuse, and "personalization" the differences between them are even greater. One car, *01955*, started life with a "normal" flat roof, but was given a "double bubble" roof treatment later.
Following the rebuild of The Alfatross' original engine, during which new cams, pistons, valves, guides, and rods were produced, horsepower and torque figures improved significantly.
To put things in the proper perspective we need to start with an historical review of the different variants of the 1900 series. The 1900 model type started in 1950 with 5 cars, chassis numbers 1900 00001- 1900 00006, all Berlinas (enclosed 4-door sedans). Powered by the model 1306 1884 cc engine.
The next year Alfa added the Sprint model (1st Series) to their lineup but only 6 examples were made. These were sportier with a shortened chassis and more powerful engine, the 1308 1975 cc engine.
 |
| The 4-wheel drive "Matta" version incorporating Alfa 1900 mechanicals. Millenove, H.-J. Dohren. |
Between its original appearance in 1950 and the end of production in '59, a total of 21,304 1900s were built. Naturally, over such a long production run, there were many modifications and variants, including sub-models 1900C, 1900L, AR51, TI, and AR52. The AR models were "Jeepish" military utility vehicles with 1900 DNA, but not on the same limb of the family tree as the road cars.
The Alfatross was created on a 1900C chassis in 1955. In that year Alfa produced four variants, the 1900 Super, 1900 TI Super, 1900 Sprint 2nd Series, and 1900 Super Sprint. The C suffix stood for "corto"--the short, 2 door chassis--and was stamped into the firewall after the 1900 designation.
 |
| Chassis *01955* was originally created with a flat roof. Now it has a double bubble roof. John de Boer. |
How Rare is The Alfatross?
According to Gonzalo Alvarez Garcia's research in his book Alfa Romeo 1900 Sprint, as a sub-set of overall Alfa 1900 production, the Zagato-bodied cars turned out in 1955 is microscopic:21,304=Total type 1900
854 =Total Super Sprint
248= Total Super Sprint in 1955
14= Total 1955 Sprint and Super Sprint Zagatos
 |
| The engine of chassis *01955* is extensively modified. John de Boer. |
Although they were produced in the same year, each of these cars is different. After 61 years of use, abuse, and "personalization" the differences between them are even greater. One car, *01955*, started life with a "normal" flat roof, but was given a "double bubble" roof treatment later.
Performance Check
The 1900 owner's manual gives the following performance figures for maximum horsepower at corresponding rpm (no torque values are offered):1900 Super 90 HP @ 4000 rpm1900 TI Super 115 HP @ 5000 rpm1900 Super Sprint 115 HP @ 5000 rpm
Following the rebuild of The Alfatross' original engine, during which new cams, pistons, valves, guides, and rods were produced, horsepower and torque figures improved significantly.
 |
| The horsepower and torque figures for The Alfatross as determined during several dyno runs. |
 |
| Longacre Accuset computer scales model no. 72594. |
Weights and Measures
I wonder how many of The Alfatross' siblings know how much they weigh or how that weight is distributed? According to the owner's manual, an Alfa 1900C SS coupe in running order should weigh 1000 kg. (2200 lb) while the cabriolet should weigh 1150 kg. (2530 lb) No figures are given for weight distribution.
After weighing The Alfatross "in running order" with about one quarter tank of gas using a Longacre Accuset 4-wheel scale we came up with a total of 1002 kg. (2204 lb). This is puzzling because we expected it to be considerably less than the Alfa 1900C SS with its production body and interior. We weighed the car several times with the same result.
There were other surprises as well. The weight distribution was a nose-heavy 59% front (595 kg./1308 lb) vs. 41% rear (407 kg./895 lb). While the rear wheel readings differed by only 4 kg. (9 lb), there was 25 kg. (55 lb) more weight on the left front wheel than on the right front wheel. This difference seems excessive so we will have to have another weight-in at a later date to re-test it.
 |
| Jeff Kramer examines the 4 scale weight readings. |
