Since I got serious about restoring The Alfatross on January 1st 2013 I've also been paying attention to what its siblings have been up to. Disappointingly, as far as I am aware none of the 12 cars I listed as "existence uncertain" or "destroyed" have turned up. But several of the Alfatross' known siblings have attracted considerable attention in one way or another. They seem to fall naturally into three distinct categories: cars recently "discovered" and left unrestored, cars that changed hands and were--or are in the process of being--restored, and cars that are undergoing re-restoration.
Like unrestored car *01845*, *01931* came out of retirement in 2012 after decades of inactivity and neglect. Despite its condition it was desirable due to its participation in the 1955 Mille Miglia where it placed 19th overall. It was brought back to the US that same year and ended up in deep storage until 2012 when it was sold through Kidston SA to a Swiss collector and given a three-year restoration including a return to its original eye-catching two tone paint scheme. Photos of the restored car show that the red-and-white paint scheme is carried through to the interior and that the restoration was completed to a high standard.
Also like car *01845*, *01931* is once again up for sale with Kidston SA--for the second time in 4 years! As all the restoration work was done in Europe the only thing we know about the car is the sales pitch and photos that appeared on the Kidston.com site.
The good news about a documented racing history is that it enriches the car's story and lends it more respect. The bad news is that there is a likelihood of extensive damage and modifications to the car's fabric, thereby compromising both its originality and driveability.
My understanding is that *01844* is not going to be offered for sale like of the cars above. Rather, its long-time owners decided it was time to give it the kind of attention it needed and deserved so that they could continue to use it.
Will David Smith's restoration of *01947* not only prove that he saw a great restoration candidate where others saw only wrack and ruin, but also raise the bar for how a proper restoration of an Alfa 1900C SSZ should be done?
Was the sale, restoration, and re-sale of *01931* in 4 years just an exercise in asset acquisition and liquidation?
Does *01844* represent what lies ahead for The Alfatross and all it siblings: Long-term residence in a stable collection where they are cared for and used regularly . . . and eventually treated to re-restorations when appropriate? Will that make them immortal?
Unrestored
The car that produced the most publicity, chassis *01845*, was dragged out into the light of day in 2012 after 40 years of peaceful slumber in its modern-day Roman car catacomb. The notoriety it received subsequently resulted from the new owner's claim that it was "the most original 1900 Super Sprint Zagato in the world" and his vow that it would not be restored.
But the necessity to change original things to make a car roadworthy and the urge to "fix things up a bit" are hard to resist. When *01845* won the Best in Post-War Preservation Class at Pebble Beach in 2014 we could not help but notice some new paint in the engine room, repairs to the driving lights, and that its (non-original) pipe bumpers had been removed.
As to the the "most original" claim, that is difficult to substantiate due to the facts that (1) all of The Alfatross' siblings are different, and (2) after 61 years, special preparations for racing, damage repairs, and multiple ownership, all of them have been modified to one extent or another. So what do you compare it to? Who's to say what is "original" and what isn't? In the words of Carl Sagan, "extraordinary claims require extraordinary evidence". In this case I don't see it.
*01845*'s most recent publicity splash is that it is up for sale again! The price is not advertised on the Kidston SA Web site, but rumors put it at well north of $2 M! If it sells for that, it will establish that the highest price paid for an Alfa 1900 SSZ is for an unrestored, tattered example with few desirable features and little race history. Go figure.
One of the most interesting restoration stories in recent years surrounds chassis *01947* which went on auction at the 2014 Gooding and Co. Pebble Beach sale. The car was in very rough shape but the aluminum body was intact. The auction turned out to be pretty exciting as the bidding sailed past the upper estimate, coming down to two bidders who were determined to own it. In the end, Mr. David Smith won with a bid of $1,012,000. Many observers opined that he paid too much for the car, given that its condition mandated an extensive and expensive nuts and bolts restoration, but the car came with a lot of spare parts, including three engines. Recent historical research has filled out the car's unique history complete with interviews with the car's original Italian owner and early photographs!
Given Mr. Smith's exhaustive knowledge of Italian sports cars, and that this is his 18th restoration project, it looks like this car is in the right hands. It has been The Alfatross' pleasure to supply sibling *01947* with photos, measurements, and other information to assist with its restoration. In exchange *01947*'s owner has generously reciprocated by providing us with a wealth of historical and technical knowledge and hard-to-find parts for which The Alfatross will always be grateful.
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| *01845* makes its debut in 2013 with much fanfare and hyperbole. |
As to the the "most original" claim, that is difficult to substantiate due to the facts that (1) all of The Alfatross' siblings are different, and (2) after 61 years, special preparations for racing, damage repairs, and multiple ownership, all of them have been modified to one extent or another. So what do you compare it to? Who's to say what is "original" and what isn't? In the words of Carl Sagan, "extraordinary claims require extraordinary evidence". In this case I don't see it.
*01845*'s most recent publicity splash is that it is up for sale again! The price is not advertised on the Kidston SA Web site, but rumors put it at well north of $2 M! If it sells for that, it will establish that the highest price paid for an Alfa 1900 SSZ is for an unrestored, tattered example with few desirable features and little race history. Go figure.
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| *01845* as seen at Pebble Beach in 2014. Kidston .com |
Restored
We are most familiar with cars in the "restored or undergoing restoration" category because we have been able to exchange information with their owners about details of originality. In fact, through extensive communication and collaboration, I think we might be establishing the "baseline" for originality questions when it comes to Alfa 1900 SSZs.One of the most interesting restoration stories in recent years surrounds chassis *01947* which went on auction at the 2014 Gooding and Co. Pebble Beach sale. The car was in very rough shape but the aluminum body was intact. The auction turned out to be pretty exciting as the bidding sailed past the upper estimate, coming down to two bidders who were determined to own it. In the end, Mr. David Smith won with a bid of $1,012,000. Many observers opined that he paid too much for the car, given that its condition mandated an extensive and expensive nuts and bolts restoration, but the car came with a lot of spare parts, including three engines. Recent historical research has filled out the car's unique history complete with interviews with the car's original Italian owner and early photographs!
Given Mr. Smith's exhaustive knowledge of Italian sports cars, and that this is his 18th restoration project, it looks like this car is in the right hands. It has been The Alfatross' pleasure to supply sibling *01947* with photos, measurements, and other information to assist with its restoration. In exchange *01947*'s owner has generously reciprocated by providing us with a wealth of historical and technical knowledge and hard-to-find parts for which The Alfatross will always be grateful.
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| *01947* at the Gooding and Co. auction in 2014. |
Like unrestored car *01845*, *01931* came out of retirement in 2012 after decades of inactivity and neglect. Despite its condition it was desirable due to its participation in the 1955 Mille Miglia where it placed 19th overall. It was brought back to the US that same year and ended up in deep storage until 2012 when it was sold through Kidston SA to a Swiss collector and given a three-year restoration including a return to its original eye-catching two tone paint scheme. Photos of the restored car show that the red-and-white paint scheme is carried through to the interior and that the restoration was completed to a high standard.
Also like car *01845*, *01931* is once again up for sale with Kidston SA--for the second time in 4 years! As all the restoration work was done in Europe the only thing we know about the car is the sales pitch and photos that appeared on the Kidston.com site.
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*01931* as found in 2012. Kidston.com.
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*01931* in 2015 following restoration . Kidston.com.
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Re-Restored
Late last year I contacted Dustin Wetmore at Motion Products Inc., in Wisconsin to inquire if he could identify the mysterious brake reservoir on The Alfatross. This led to conversations not only about the reservoir but also to questions MPI had about one of The Alfatross' siblings, *01844*, presently undergoing re-restoration at their shop. Having been entered in three successive Mille Miglias back in the 1950s and used a lot since then, *01844* still looked great, but had been modified and was in rough shape following an earlier restoration. We were able to help Dustin with a number of questions about the driving lights, seats, trunk area and the insulating bellypan between the exhaust system and the floor under the driver's seat. |
| *01844* under restoration at Motion Products. This is the only sibling known to have entered the 1955, 56, and 57 Mille Miglias. MPI. |
My understanding is that *01844* is not going to be offered for sale like of the cars above. Rather, its long-time owners decided it was time to give it the kind of attention it needed and deserved so that they could continue to use it.
Imponderables
One wonders what the future might hold for *01845* after it changes hands again. Who will be willing to pay $2 M for a not very attractive, unrestored car with no racing history? A sale at that price would affirm that originality (and great marketing) trumps both racing history and fine restoration.Will David Smith's restoration of *01947* not only prove that he saw a great restoration candidate where others saw only wrack and ruin, but also raise the bar for how a proper restoration of an Alfa 1900C SSZ should be done?
Was the sale, restoration, and re-sale of *01931* in 4 years just an exercise in asset acquisition and liquidation?
Does *01844* represent what lies ahead for The Alfatross and all it siblings: Long-term residence in a stable collection where they are cared for and used regularly . . . and eventually treated to re-restorations when appropriate? Will that make them immortal?
