Saturday 9 October 2010

Column Shift Racer - Alfa Romeo 1900 Super Sprint 2



This is an Alfa Romeo 1900 Super Sprint Series 2 is powered by a 1975 cc / 120.5 cui 4 cylinder engine.



This particular carl featuring a 5 speed column shift was delivered on the 31st March 1954.



Vehicles of this type are known to have competed in events like the Targa Florio & Mille Miglia I am not sure if these vented rear window's were part of the original specification, but they would indicate this particular car might have a competition history, if you know anything about it leave a comment below.



The body work is made by Touring of Milan using their trade mark Superleggera ( Super light) Duraluminim construction technique featuring a light steel frame covered in aluminium panels. Anyone who has seen Goldfinger might remember James Bond telling one of his molls about his 'Aston Martin DB5 Superleggera'.
in that fabulous Scottish brogue. Aston Martin bought a licence from touring to use the technique.

The construction technique has one major flaw other than being very expensive, steel and aluminium when they come into contact suffer galvanic corrosion, which is why aluminium alloy wheels corrode the steel in the brake dust reacts with the aluminium, a similar problem occurs with aluminium license plates and steel screws. Allegedly Bristol Cars with their experience in the aircraft industry are the only manufacturer to have satisfactorily minimised the problem by using a special paste.



The sunken rear lights on this car look particularly fetching though the heavy duty steel bumper rather spoils the effect IMHO.

Wishing everyone a fabulous weekend, don't forget to come back now !