1956 Alfa Romeo 1900 SS Coupe

One of only Six Built!
The company that became Alfa Romeo was founded as Societa Anonima Italiana Darracq (SAID) in 1906 by Cavaliere Ugo Stella, an aristocrat from Milan, in partnership with the French automobile firm of Alexandre Darracq. The firm initially produced Darracq cars in Naples, but after the partnership collapsed Stella and other Italian co-investors moved production to an idle Darracq factory in Milan suburb of Portello, and the company was renamed A.L.F.A. (Anonima Lombarda Fabbrica Automobili). The first non-Darracq car produced by the company was the 1910 24 HP, designed by Giuseppe Merosi. Merosi would go on to design a series of new ALFA cars with more powerful engines (40-60 HP). ALFA also ventured into racing, with drivers Franchini and Ronzoni competing in the 1911 Targa Florio with two 24 HP models.

Zagato is an Italian coachwork firm that was founded after WWII, and has designed bodies for most major marques. The 'double bubble' top is their trademark. Zagato is still operating today under the leadership of the grandson of the founder, Andrea Zagato. There were only six 'double bubble' 1900SSZ Alfas produced. In 1956, they cost about $3,500, and had all-aluminum bodies and all-plexiglas windows, except for the windshield. This car has been shown coast-to-coast, and has completed the famous Mille Miglia in 2002, 2003, and 2007, when it placed second among all American drivers!