Alfa Romeo 1900
Encyclopedia
The Alfa Romeo 1900 is a sports sedan designed by Orazio Satta
for the Alfa Romeo
company in 1950. It was Alfa Romeo's first car built entirely on a production line
and was also Alfa's first production car without separate chassis and first Alfa offered with left-hand drive. The car was introduced first time for bigger audience in 1950 Paris Motor Show.
The 1900 was offered in two door or four door models, with a new 1884 cc (bore 82.55 mm, stroke 88 mm), 90 bhp, 4 cylinder twin cam engine. It was spacious and simple, yet quick and sporty. The slogan Alfa used when selling it was "The family car that wins races", not-so-subtly alluding to the car's success in the Targa Florio
, Stella Alpina, and other competitions. In 1951 the short wheelbase 1900C (c for corto (Italian for short) version was introduced. It had a wheelbase of 2500 mm (98.4 in). In the same year the 1900TI with a more powerful 100 bhp engine was introduced, it had bigger valves, a higher compression ratio and it was equipped with a double carburetor. Two years later the 1900 Super and 1900 TI Super (also 1900 Super Sprint) with 1975 cc engine were introduced (bore increased to 84.5 mm, stroke unchanged). The TI Super had two double carburetors and 115 bhp. Transmission was a 4-speed manual on basic versions and 5-speed manual in Super Sprint version, the brakes were drum brakes. The 1900 had independent front suspension (double wishbones
, coil spring
s and hydraulic telescopic shock absorber
s) and live rear axle
.
Production at the company's Milan plant continued until 1959: a total of 21,304 were built, including 17,390 of the saloons.
The chassis was designed specifically to allow coachbuilder
s to rebody it, the most notable of which was the Zagato
designed, 1900 Super Sprint Coupe, with an improved engine and custom body design. The Alfa Romeo 1900M AR51
(or "Matta") is a four-wheel drive off-road vehicle based on the 1900-series.
produced between 1960-1962 a car named IKA Bergantin in Argentina, the body and suspension was from 1900 Berlina and engines were from Willys
line, 4-L 151 cu in (2.5 l) In. and the 6-L 226 cu in (3.7 l).
Orazio Satta Puliga
Orazio Satta Puliga was an Italian automobile designer known for several Alfa Romeo designs....
for the Alfa Romeo
Alfa Romeo
Alfa Romeo Automobiles S.p.A. is an Italian manufacturer of cars. Founded as A.L.F.A. on June 24, 1910, in Milan, the company has been involved in car racing since 1911, and has a reputation for building expensive sports cars...
company in 1950. It was Alfa Romeo's first car built entirely on a production line
Production line
A production line is a set of sequential operations established in a factory whereby materials are put through a refining process to produce an end-product that is suitable for onward consumption; or components are assembled to make a finished article....
and was also Alfa's first production car without separate chassis and first Alfa offered with left-hand drive. The car was introduced first time for bigger audience in 1950 Paris Motor Show.
The 1900 was offered in two door or four door models, with a new 1884 cc (bore 82.55 mm, stroke 88 mm), 90 bhp, 4 cylinder twin cam engine. It was spacious and simple, yet quick and sporty. The slogan Alfa used when selling it was "The family car that wins races", not-so-subtly alluding to the car's success in the Targa Florio
Targa Florio
The Targa Florio was an open road endurance automobile race held in the mountains of Sicily near Palermo. Founded in 1906, it was the oldest sports car racing event, part of the World Sportscar Championship between 1955 and 1973...
, Stella Alpina, and other competitions. In 1951 the short wheelbase 1900C (c for corto (Italian for short) version was introduced. It had a wheelbase of 2500 mm (98.4 in). In the same year the 1900TI with a more powerful 100 bhp engine was introduced, it had bigger valves, a higher compression ratio and it was equipped with a double carburetor. Two years later the 1900 Super and 1900 TI Super (also 1900 Super Sprint) with 1975 cc engine were introduced (bore increased to 84.5 mm, stroke unchanged). The TI Super had two double carburetors and 115 bhp. Transmission was a 4-speed manual on basic versions and 5-speed manual in Super Sprint version, the brakes were drum brakes. The 1900 had independent front suspension (double wishbones
Double wishbone suspension
In automobiles, a double wishbone suspension is an independent suspension design using two wishbone-shaped arms to locate the wheel. Each wishbone or arm has two mounting points to the chassis and one joint at the knuckle. The shock absorber and coil spring mount to the wishbones to control...
, coil spring
Coil spring
A Coil spring, also known as a helical spring, is a mechanical device, which is typically used to store energy and subsequently release it, to absorb shock, or to maintain a force between contacting surfaces...
s and hydraulic telescopic shock absorber
Shock absorber
A shock absorber is a mechanical device designed to smooth out or damp shock impulse, and dissipate kinetic energy. It is a type of dashpot.-Nomenclature:...
s) and live rear axle
Live axle
A live axle, sometimes called a solid axle, is a type of beam axle suspension system that uses the driveshafts that transmit power to the wheels to connect the wheels laterally so that they move together as a unit....
.
Production at the company's Milan plant continued until 1959: a total of 21,304 were built, including 17,390 of the saloons.
The chassis was designed specifically to allow coachbuilder
Coachbuilder
A coachbuilder is a manufacturer of bodies for carriages or automobiles.The trade dates back several centuries. Rippon was active in the time of Queen Elizabeth I, Barker founded in 1710 by an officer in Queen Anne's Guards, Brewster a relative newcomer , formed in 1810. Others in Britain included...
s to rebody it, the most notable of which was the Zagato
Zagato
Zagato is a design consultancy and engineering services company situated just outside Milan, Italy.The company's premises occupy an area of , of which are covered....
designed, 1900 Super Sprint Coupe, with an improved engine and custom body design. The Alfa Romeo 1900M AR51
Alfa Romeo Matta
- External links :**...
(or "Matta") is a four-wheel drive off-road vehicle based on the 1900-series.
Engines
| Model | Displacement | Power | Top speed |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1900 | 1,884 cc | 80-90 bhp | 103 miles per hour (46 m/s)-106 miles per hour (47.4 m/s) |
| TI | 1,884 cc | 100 bhp | 170 kilometres per hour (105.6 mph) |
| Super | 1,975 cc | 90 bhp | 160 kilometres per hour (99.4 mph) |
| TI Super | 1,975 cc | 115 bhp | 112 miles per hour (50.1 m/s) |
IKA Bergantin
Industrias Kaiser ArgentinaIndustrias Kaiser Argentina
Industrias Kaiser Argentina S.A. or IKA was an Argentine motor company established in 1956 in Córdoba Province as a joint venture with Kaiser Motors of the United States....
produced between 1960-1962 a car named IKA Bergantin in Argentina, the body and suspension was from 1900 Berlina and engines were from Willys
Willys
Willys was the brand name used by Willys-Overland Motors, an American automobile company best known for its design and production of military Jeeps and civilian versions during the 20th century.-Early History:In 1908, John Willys bought the Overland Automotive Division of Standard Wheel Company...
line, 4-L 151 cu in (2.5 l) In. and the 6-L 226 cu in (3.7 l).