1954 Alfa Romeo 1900

We believe that only three Alfa Romeo 1900 Barchetta Conreros were ever made.

We cannot confirm whether this is a genuine Conrero car or not due to lack of documentation, sadly. We must describe this, therefore, as an evocation of an Alfa Barchetta. It started life as a 1900 Saloon that has been rebodied at some point in its life.

Wiser heads than ours will either be nodding in assent at that claim, or spitting feathers of dissent.

We don’t know.

What we do know, however, is that this is a stunning car and one that should and does turn heads wherever it goes.

The car was originally delivered from the factory as saloon as per the chassis number.

It was reportedly rebodied as a Barchetta by Conrero in the 1970s but we have no documentation to support this. The badges on the body would suggest this but we cannot confirm due to lack of documentation.

It was privately sold to a Portuguese collector of Italian exotica in 2010, at which point it fetched €125,250.00 and had a red interior and exterior with a green and white bonnet stripe.

Today, it has gained a splendid new Schedoni tan leather interior and lost the stripe.

The chassis number is AR 1900 07583.

The engine number is AR 1306 07805.

We have driven the vehicle and can attest to its rare ability to delight, thrill and surprise in equal measure.

The engine, with its two twin-choke Solex carburettors, is properly lively and presses on with real urgency when asked. Although there is no paperwork to support this, the engine was overhauled by the Baldi Twins of Abarth fame, explaining why it runs so well.

The side-exit exhaust pipe is unhindered by any sound-deadening measures worth mentioning.

People who hear this car coming at the last minute will dive headlong into the nearest hedge.

The car is balanced and, although it inevitably has the heaviness of steering you’d expect to find in an early 1950s car, it responds faithfully and predictably to steering inputs.

The 4-speed gear box is tight and notchy, the only slightly tricky shift being downwards from fourth or third to second.

We felt that the brake pedal might be slightly sticky, but it’s possible that we were just imagining that.

We drove the car for an hour or so, on a very hot day, and it didn’t miss a beat and maintained its temperature diligently throughout.

The car is EU registered and under bond, so although it’s currently at our UK HQ, it can be taken back into EU ownership without any issues. It is offered with Portuguese Registration documents, which can be shared with interested parties at their request.

If you don’t think this is a seriously beautiful car, well, frankly there’s no hope for you.

It is simply stunning from every angle and has a simplicity of line and form that are woefully absent in most modern sportscars.

The panels, panel gaps and shut -lines are consistent and even.

The vibrant red paintwork gleams and has bags of lustre and shine to it.

The Borrani wire wheels (all 5 of them) were new in 2011 and are in fine condition.

The tyres look decent, too.

The car’s badging (including the Conrero badging on the wings), trim, lights, lenses, chrome work and other exterior fixtures and fittings are all very good indeed.

So, too, is the lovely tan leather tonneau cover, which attaches and detaches with a minimum of fuss or effort.

You’ll find a few paint chips around the base of the driver’s door and a couple on the n/s/r wing.

There’s a paint chip on top of the passenger door and a couple of scuffs and marks on the bodywork between the cabin and the boot lid.

Some stone chips may be seen around the leading edge of the bonnet, along with a tiny patch of micro-blistering and what looks like a blob of paint overrun on the bonnet air scoop.

The interior is equally impressive, having been retrimmed using Schedoni leather (of Ferrari fame).

The tan leather bucket seats are comfortable and supportive and free of any nicks, tears or grazes.

The quilted leather door cards and roll-cage covers are exquisite and add a real touch of class to an already very classy interior.

The red carpets and mats are fine and showing only minimal signs of wear anywhere.

The steering wheel, gear lever and handbrake are all beyond reproach and the aluminium fascia is free of any meaningful scratches or marks.

The odometer, which currently reads 92,664 kms, doesn’t work and neither does the speedometer.

We’re not sure of the accuracy of the fuel gauge.

We didn’t press every button or tweak every toggle, knob or switch but, as far as we can tell, everything else does what it’s supposed to do.

The boot, which contains a spare wire wheel and a leather-bound tool roll, is in fine condition.

Everything in the engine bay appears to be clean, dry, right and proper.

The undersides of the car look to have a good deal of structural integrity.

This car comes with little history at present, and no more of a paper trail can be found.

Due to lack of documentation, we must describe this as an evocation of an Alfa Barchetta. It started life as a 1900 Saloon that has been rebodied at some point in its life. Whether this was Conrero or not, we cannot confirm. Wiser heads than ours will hopefully be able to find this out.

Currently, it comes with Italian invoices for new Schedoni leather trim and Borrani wheels from around 2011, and a proof-of-sale invoice from 2010, as well as a Portuguese Registration Document. The engine was rebuilt by Elio and Giovanni Baldi of Milan, which explains why it runs so well. We do not have an invoice for this but it is customary not to be provided with an invoice from these famed mechanics.

Whether we’re right or wrong about there being only three Alfa Romeo 1900 Barchetta Conreros ever created, and whether this was rebodied by Conrero or not, the fact remains that is an exceedingly rare car.

It has clearly had no expense spared in its upkeep and maintenance – a belief amply supported by the exhilarating experience of driving this pedigree machine.

And, as if that wasn’t enough, it’s just drop-dead gorgeous.

We’re confident to offer this fine car for auction with an estimate of £90,000 - £110,000.

Viewing is always encouraged, and this particular car is located with us at the Bonhams|Cars Online HQ near Abingdon; we are open weekdays 9am-5pm, to arrange an appointment please use the Contact Seller button at the top of the listing. Feel free to ask any questions or make observations in the comments section below, or try our ‘Frequently Asked Questions’.