The Alfa Romeo 1900 is a sport saloon that Alfa Romeo built from 1950 to 1959. Designed by Orazio Satta, it was the marque’s first car built entirely in series production, and it prepared the way for the later models. This page covers the key facts, the history, the variants and the questions people ask most often.
Alfa Romeo 1900 at a glance
| Manufacturer | Alfa Romeo |
|---|---|
| Designer | Orazio Satta |
| Production years | 1950–1959 |
| Type | Sport saloon |
| Significance | The first Alfa Romeo built entirely on a production line |
The Russian source gives the same production period. The sources do not list the engine and power figures in a single table, so they are not included here.
History
The 1900 was introduced at the 1950 Paris Motor Show. It was the first Alfa Romeo built on a production line and the first production car without a separate chassis, and the first Alfa Romeo offered with left-hand drive.
The 1900 was offered as a two-door or four-door model. Its sales slogan, “The family car that wins races”, referred to its success in events such as the Targa Florio and the Stella Alpina.
Production at the Milan plant continued until 1959, with a total of 21,304 cars built, including 17,390 saloons. The 1900 C, a short-wheelbase version, appeared in 1951, and the more powerful 1900 Super Sprint with a 1,975 cc engine followed in 1953.
The photos below show the 1900 C Super Sprint with Touring bodywork, from 1954.
Design and features
- A 1,884 cc twin-cam four-cylinder engine with 90 hp at launch, later 100 hp in the TI.
- Independent front suspension with a live rear axle, and drum brakes.
- The chassis was designed so that coachbuilders could rebody it, which led to the Zagato-designed Super Sprint coupé.
Variants
- Alfa Romeo 1900: the sport saloon described here, 1950–1959.
- Alfa Romeo 1900 C SS: the sportier coupé version shown in the photos.
The chassis also formed the basis of the 1900M AR51 “Matta”, a four-wheel-drive off-road vehicle, according to the English article.
See also: the Alfa Romeo 1900 C, the Alfa Romeo 1750 and the Alfa Romeo collection.
Alfa Romeo 1900 questions and answers
When was the Alfa Romeo 1900 built?
From 1950 to 1959.
Who designed the 1900?
Orazio Satta.
Why is the 1900 important?
It was the first Alfa Romeo built entirely in series production.
Video: 1957 Alfa Romeo 1900C SS Tipo IV
Video on YouTube.
Sources
- Alfa Romeo 1900, English Wikipedia: production 1950–1959, Orazio Satta, first series-built Alfa Romeo
- Alfa Romeo 1900, Russian Wikipedia: sport saloon, first series-produced Alfa Romeo
- 1954 Alfa Romeo 1900 CSS Touring, Wikimedia Commons: photo and licence
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