1955 Alfa Romeo 1900C SS Boano Speciale
- Engine
- Competition-spec Tipo 1308 inline-four with large-valve head, ram-type induction, and twin Weber 50 DCO3 carburettors, paired with five-speed gearbox
- Colour
- Black upper body over creamy yellow lower body
A one-off coachbuilt Alfa Romeo 1900C SS built by Mario Boano for the 1955 Turin Motor Show, its flowing yellow-and-black bodywork was inspired by a coupe Boano had created for Argentine president Juan Perón. Fitted with a competition Tipo 1308 engine and twin Weber carburetors, the car passed through several Italian owners before entering a prominent Bolognese collection. Brought to the United States in 2014, it was shown at Pebble Beach in the Preservation Class in 2015, then restored to its original Turin livery by Fastcars Ltd., winning Best in Class at Pebble Beach in 2017.
Ownership
- —Auction saleSold US$1,270,000
- → 2013-10-01Acquisition unknownMario Righinipartial documentation
Prominent Bologna-based collector who held the car as part of his well-regarded collection until its sale in late 2013.
- 2013-10-01 →Private saleEuropean enthusiastfull documentation
Acquired from the Righini collection, exhibited the car in Europe before bringing it to the US for the first time; subsequently commissioned a full restoration to original livery by Fastcars Ltd. of Redondo Beach, California.
- Date unknownPrivate saleGiuseppe Dalmazio Vallergapartial documentation
Milan-based first owner after the 1955 Turin show; acquired the car directly following its exhibition debut.
- Date unknownAcquisition unknownVarious Italian ownersnone documentation
Several unidentified Italian custodians held the car in succession after Vallerga, concluding by the 1980s.
Competition
- 19551955 Turin Motor Show
The car was constructed specifically for this exhibition and displayed as a coachbuilt show special on the Alfa Romeo 1900C SS platform.
- 20142014 Rétromobile
Exhibited by the European owner prior to the car's first transatlantic transfer to the United States.
- 20152015 Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance
Entered in the Preservation Class in its unrestored state, retaining original mechanicals and bodywork beneath a later red repaint.
- 20172017 Pebble Beach Concours d'EleganceBest in Class
Returned following restoration to original Turin livery by Fastcars Ltd.; awarded top class honors recognizing fidelity to original specification.
Maintenance & restoration
- —Bodywork
At some undated point the car received a repaint in red over its original yellow-and-black livery; this was the only significant departure from original condition noted prior to the subsequent restoration.
The original paint was discovered beneath the red finish and used as a colour reference for the later restoration.
- —Mechanical
Correct spark plugs, ignition wires, and contact-breaker points were sourced and fitted to return the ignition system to proper specification.
Carried out during the period of pre-Pebble Beach preparation; other original mechanical components including the engine, induction system, tubular header, and dual-outlet exhaust were confirmed to be intact and unmodified.
- —RestorationFastcars Ltd.
Full restoration to the car's original 1955 Turin show specification, including a bare-paint strip that revealed a sound, uncompromised body, followed by refinishing in the correct two-tone yellow-and-black scheme using the original paint as a colour reference. The original black leather interior, instrumentation, Nardi steering wheel, and Autovox radio were retained. Work is documented with photographs and receipts.
Commissioned by the European collector owner; workshop located in Redondo Beach, California. Completed before the 2017 Pebble Beach Concours.
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