Description
The Alfa Romeo 1900C Super Sprint belongs to a generation of cars that marked an important turning point for the Italian manufacturer. While the 1900 introduced modern unitary construction, Alfa Romeo deliberately kept the door open for independent coachbuilders by offering shortened chassis versions for bespoke bodies, with the ‘C’ in CSS standing for ‘Corto’ (shortened wheelbase). Touring of Milan responded with the elegant Super Sprint Coupé, built according to their patented Superleggera principle with an aluminium skin over a lightweight tubular structure. The result was a fast, refined grand touring car that combined strong performance with relatively low weight.
Production of the Touring-bodied 1900C Super Sprint is estimated at around 580 examples. Roughly half are believed to survive today, making the model one of the more desirable post-war Alfa Romeo grand tourers.
A rare Belgian‑built example
This example is extra special. Already having sold one a few years ago, Marreyt Classic Cars is pleased to offer yet another Belgian “Nessonvaux” 1900. It belongs to a very small number of Alfa Romeo 1900 models assembled between 1956 and 1958 under licence by ‘Impéria Automobiles’ in Nessonvaux, near Liège, Belgium. In addition to roughly fifty 1900 Berlinas, it is generally believed that only around six 1900 C Super Sprint Coupés by Touring were assembled there.
The cars were delivered from Italy largely in component form. Bodies were painted at the Impéria factory and the upholstery was produced locally in Belgium, giving these examples a slightly distinctive character. The goal of this whole operation was avoiding custom duties, but the venture was short-lived, as the 1900 remained an expensive car at the time and the small-scale Belgian assembly does not appear to have been particularly profitable.
The Impéria Automobiles factory itself was famous for its rooftop test track, similar to the one at the Fiat Lingotto plant in Turin. It’s still out there, but in a severely neglected state now, serving only as a decaying monument for adventurous urban explorers and onlookers from nearby vantage points.
Identity, specification and colours
This particular 1900C is a Super Sprint of the third series, is a matching numbers car (ARCSS10398) and retains its original engine (10393). Interestingly, that engine was rediscovered with a former owner during the restoration and reunited with the car. The factory records confirm an original colour combination of 'grigio biacca', but during the restoration the owners chose for a slightly more stylish ‘Blu Cobalto’ — a period Alfa colour that was at the time also available for the model. The interior was retrimmed in a beige, sand-coloured leather and in our opinion still presents brand new. It contrasts very pleasingly with the dark blue coloured paintwork.
Most of the previous owners are known, and the car likely spent the majority of its life in Belgium/ the Netherlands.
Body-Off restoration and mechanical rebuild
The car underwent a comprehensive body-off restoration between 2013 and 2016 by Scuderia Azzurra GmbH. The work included a full disassembly of the vehicle and a careful rebuild with a strong focus on authenticity. The aluminium body was restored to its original shape and and chrome parts were either renewed or restored to a high standard.
Mechanically the car was rebuilt as well. The original engine received a full overhaul with new pistons, liners, bearings and valves. The instruments were restored by Classic Manufactory Instruments in Hamburg and the wiring loom was replaced with a correct reproduction of the original harness. The car retains its stunning original Borrani chrome wire wheels, stamped with a ’56 production date, which were restored by Radspannerei Köhler in Oberau.
Most 1900 CSS models were delivered with a column-shift gearbox. With the restoration this one was fitted with a five-speed floor-shift gearbox from the later fourth series, converted using a Nardi kit with a wooden Nardi steering wheel. The combination gives the car a more direct and engaging driving feel without altering the character of the car.
Condition and presentation today
With only 4, 430 kilometres shown since restoration, the car presents in excellent condition throughout. Panel fit is very good, the paint finish has a deep gloss and the mechanical components perform exactly as expected from a properly rebuilt Alfa Romeo twin-cam engine.
Given its authenticity, it is of course Mille Miglia eligible, and at Marreyt Classic Cars we are happy to guide you through the entire Mille Miglia process — from paperwork to preparation and support along the way.
We warmly invite you to discover this car in person at our new showroom in Ternat, Belgium, you WILL be captivated by its beauty.
