Description
If some of the finest Italian cars ever to roam the roads of the world were designed by an Italian atelier or designer such as Pininfarina, Zagato, Bertone or Touring, to name just a few, independent craftsmen were also at work in a “carrozzeria” tucked away in the countryside, right at the heart of isolated villages—capable of bringing their clients’ wildest dreams to life, like the Carrozzeria ATL (Auto Tecnica del Lario) run by Giorgio GREPPI, in Colico (Lecco), in the north of Italy, on the shores of Lake Como.
Working purely by ear and by touch, these coachbuilders could turn an ordinary car into a truly magnificent machine—built for both ambitious drivers chasing success on their next hill climb, and for well-heeled “gentlemen drivers” wanting a one-off for getting to their country estate.
These craftsmen typically started with proven mechanical bases, then dressed them in aluminium coachwork—an Italian specialty.
The Carrozzeria ATL (Auto Tecnica del Lario), headed by Giorgio Greppi, created in 1973 this replica of the “Disco Volante” known as “Fianchi stretti” (literally “narrow hips”). It features an aluminium-bodied structure throughout and a tubular chassis mounted on a shortened 1900 chassis.
It’s powered by a 1, 975 cc, 4-cylinder Alfa Romeo 1900 engine, including two twin Weber 40 DCOE carburettors, an increased compression ratio, a revised exhaust manifold and an aluminium oil pump. It develops around 115 hp and is fitted with a 5-speed gearbox.
With the engine positioned at the front-centre, the car achieves ideal weight distribution. It weighs just 920 kg.
Our workshop, Le Clos de Calatrava, carried out a full restoration from April 2022 to October 2025—apart from the engine and transmission, which had been completely overhauled a few years earlier and were then checked and repaired where necessary to ensure everything remained in perfect working order.
Having covered plenty of miles, the car’s chassis was checked on a marble surface, and some of the front body panels were reshaped by a well-known French specialist in sheet-metal forming (who won awards in California while working for a major Bentley and Rolls-Royce atelier). Since this is a one-off, drawings were made from a 3D scan and a bespoke mould was produced in a digital woodworking workshop.
The dashboard, upholstery, radiator, wiring loom, etc. were all remade. The instruments were overhauled and/ or replaced with period-correct gauges, as was the interior rear-view mirror. The steering wheel, windscreen, door mirrors and other minor parts are all new (the plexiglass windscreen has been replaced by a Makrolon screen, a material that resists even pistol bullets, and the relevant components have been replaced and/ or refurbished).
The inspection carried out by Stéphane BONORON, a highly respected expert in the French market, was extremely positive.
Registered on French historic-vehicle paperwork, this piece—extremely rare in the replica market, and unique in its “narrow hips” configuration—will win you over just as much on long drives on open roads as on the track.
It may also be eligible for major international competitions.
A truly exceptional car, worthy of major interest: the original “narrow hips” Alfa Romeo was built experimentally by Alfa Romeo in a single example only.
French historic registration document for the “Alfa Romeo Disco Volante Replica” and “Attestazione” Carrozzeria ATL by Giorgio GREPPI.
