Description
1954 Alfa Romeo 1900 CSS Ghia Special
Giovanni Savonuzzi was an Italian engineer who had more than a remarkable influence on the automotive industry. In the 1940s, he was technical director at Cisitalia where, between 1945 and 1948, he steered the Cisitalia D46 project to completion as the successor to Dante Giacosa. He also produced the initial sketches of the Cisitalia 202 SMM Spider Nuvolari and the 202 CMM Aerodinamica Savonuzzi, which would be built by Pininfarina.
From 1953 to 1957, Savonuzzi was Direttore Tecnico Progettazione e Produzione Carrozzerie e Stile at Carrozzeria Ghia of Turin. At that time, he began developing a series of extremely aerodynamic cars called the "Supersonic series". The silhouette of these cars resembles that of a fast aircraft or a rocket. The elongated shape with a small glazed cockpit only intensifies these similarities.
In 1953, he built his first supersonic car, an Alfa Romeo 1900, in collaboration with Virgilio Conrero. The car took part in the Mille Miglia of 1953. Unfortunately, the car never reached the finish line of the Mille Miglia due to a serious accident during the race. In the wake, Savonuzzi decided to construct several other Supersonics.
At Alfa Romeo, the design is based on the 1900 Super Sprint series. Ten unique examples were built, each differing from the other by small details. Other bases were worked on: Fiat 8V, Jaguar XK, Aston Martin DB2/ 4, etc.
This car, one of some 30 Supersonics ever built, is a rare gem in Italian automotive history. With a sale price higher than that of a 300SL Gullwing, it is clear that this car was accessible only to a handful of privileged people. The first owner was part of this tight circle and lived in Milan. Rich in a history dating back to its birth in Italy, this beautiful car found its place with its current owner in Germany since 2007. There, it underwent a metamorphosis, a restoration that brought it to a state of perfection, ready to be admired at the highest level. No expense has been spared.
Today, the car is still in perfect condition. Of 10 Alfa Romeo, only six or seven would still exist. One thing we are almost certain of is that this car could well be the most beautiful in the world among those that remain. The evidence is the award "Best Car of the Show 2022" awarded by Techno Classica Essen.
This is not just any car, but a masterpiece on wheels, ready to be admired and cherished. A unique opportunity to join a very select club, that of Ghia-Supersonic.
