1954 Alfa Romeo 1900C Super Sprint Zagato
- Engine
- 1,975cc DOHC inline-four with Weber carburetors, 115 bhp
- Colour
- Metallic grey
Chassis 01915 is an Alfa Romeo 1900C Super Sprint Zagato, approximately the 17th of 21 second-series examples ordered in 1954, bodied by Elio Zagato in lightweight aluminium and completed in early 1955. Retaining its original engine, the car has an authenticated early competition history including entries at the 1955 and 1956 Mille Miglia. After four decades in undisturbed storage in New York, it was rediscovered in 2001 and subsequently researched by leading marque authorities before a cosmetic and mechanical freshening was completed in 2014.
Ownership
- —Auction saleSold US$1,100,000
- 1954-09-01 →Acquisition unknownElio Zagatopartial documentation
Zagato sourced this chassis personally and had his coachwork applied; he used it as a development and demonstration vehicle through his Sant Ambroeus racing operation.
- 1955 → 1955-02-26Factory deliveryFranco Venturifull documentation
A Rome-based dealer in high-specification sports cars who received the car as the initial registered owner; original ACI registration copies confirm this link.
- 1955-02-26 → 1955-04-27Private saleSergio Bettojafull documentation
Young Roman driver who competed under the pseudonym Pegaso; registered the car and raced it in early-season events before selling it on.
- 1955-04-27 → 1956-11-01Private saleVittorio Randacciofull documentation
Rome-based owner who actively campaigned the car in multiple events through 1956; documented via ACI records and period race entries.
- 1956-11-01 → 1957-02-01Private saleTullio Pacinipartial documentation
Roman owner who held the car only briefly before selling it south to Sicily.
- 1957-02-01 → 1959Private saleSaverio Gravinopartial documentation
Based in Catania, Sicily; car remained in his possession until sold to an American serviceman.
- 1959 → 1962Private saleRichard Hallpartial documentation
US Navy captain stationed in Europe who imported the car to New York upon acquisition; retained it for roughly three years.
- 1962 → 2001Private saleMarvin Katzpartial documentation
New York owner who drove the car briefly before a minor collision prompted long-term storage; the vehicle sat unrestored for approximately four decades accumulating no meaningful additional mileage.
- 2001 → 2002-02-01Private saleNorbert Wollnerpartial documentation
German intermediary who acquired the car from Katz in mid-2001 and promptly resold it.
- 2002-02-01 → 2013-06-01Private saleA.C. Leerdamfull documentation
Dutch collector based in Florida who commissioned detailed provenance research with marque specialists and showed the car at multiple concours events; undertook limited mechanical work to restore basic drivability while preserving original condition.
- 2013-06-01 →Private saleChicago-based sports car collectorfull documentation
Commissioned a thorough mechanical and cosmetic freshening completed in late 2014 by two Illinois specialists, including a full repaint in the original factory color and drivetrain refreshment.
Competition
- 1955-03-04Giro di SiciliaDriver: Sergio Bettoja
Entered under the pseudonym Pegaso; no finish result recorded in the prose.
- 1955-05-011955 Mille MigliaDriver: Vittorio RandaccioDNF
Car started as number 503 but retired early; one of six Alfa 1900 SSZ examples entered in the same edition.
- 1955-11-11Coppa Inter EuropaDriver: Vittorio Randaccio
Car ran as number 94; no finish position noted in the prose.
- 19561956 Mille MigliaDriver: Vittorio RandaccioDNF
Car entered as number 335 and failed to finish; final documented race appearance under Randaccio's ownership.
- —Winter Park Concours d'Elegance
Presented as a preservation-class entry by Leerdam; the car was shown at this event on four separate occasions over several years.
- —Radnor Hunt Concours d'Elegance
Single appearance during Leerdam's ownership period.
Maintenance & restoration
- 2014RestorationInternational Auto Restorations and Continental Auto Sports
Comprehensive freshening encompassing a full repaint in the car's original metallic grey, renewal of the wiring harness and gearbox, and restoration and refitting of the original bumpers.
Work was shared between International Auto Restorations of Oak Lawn, Illinois, and Continental Auto Sports of Hinsdale, Illinois; commissioned by the consignor and completed late in 2014, supported by numerous invoices.
- —Mechanical
Basic mechanical work carried out to make the car drivable while preserving its largely original condition prior to concours exhibition.
Undertaken by A.C. Leerdam during his ownership; scope was intentionally limited to maintain the preservation character of the car.
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