1954 Alfa Romeo 1900 SS Coupe

Many of the Zagato Berlinetta, also known as the SSZ, were made specifically for racing. Only 39 were built, matching Zagato's aerodynamic efficiency and light weight body design with the most potent version of Alfa Romeo. The 'SS' is for Super Sport; the 'Z' for Carrozzeria Zagato. The first Alfa Romeo 1900 saloon had successes in the Targa Florio and the Stella Alpina Rally. Then in 1951 Alfa Romeo announced the 1900 Sprint, a short-wheelbase coupe seen for the first time at the Geneva Motor Show, and in 1952 the 1900 SSZ was developed by Zagato for competition use. The weight was kept low by utilizing aluminum for the body and Perspex for the windows.

This 1900 left Alfa Romeo at the end of July, 1954 to be delivered to Zagato. There, coachwork was installed and the car readied for deliver to the Great Garage International, in Lucca, on September 24, 1954. This car, as were most SSZs, was finished in green. It is the seventh car produced in that series and does not have the customary double bubble roof design, a solution present on the first six cars of the series.

The car was originally purchased by Ruggero Ricci and wore the number plate LU 20404. The car was raced in a few events, such as the 1954 Firenze-Siena road race where it was driven by Otello Biagiotti, who had bought the car in February, 1955.

After several changes in ownership, the car resided with a Mr. Strippoli, in Rome. He left the car in that garage for 40 years, surrounded and submerged beneath a collection of parts and tires. Found there, in great original condition, the car was thoroughly cleaned without undergoing any restoration and is now displayed in all its original beauty.

Avoiding the temptation of restoring the car, it was taken apart and cleaned; nothing has been restored. It is now on display as a piece of Italian automotive history for enthusiasts to enjoy its original beauty. There is not another example like it anywhere in the world.