Villa d 'este

Hello from Italy... I had the honor of showing my Alfa at this years Villa d'este Concours. What an amazing experience. A Cal Spider won our class.
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1955 Ghia-Aigle Alfa Romeo 1900CSS


In 1948, P.P. Filippi established a subsidiary of the famed Italian coachbuilder, Ghia, in nearby Aigle, Switzerland; originally operating as a subsidiary of Carrozzeria Ghia, but becoming independent in 1953. The firm was temporarily located in Lugano (1954–58). With the help of Ghia designers such as Mario Boano, Giovanni Michelotti and Pietro Frua, the firm flourished throughout the 1950s, producing a number of spectacular one-off cars for wealthy clients and for display at auto shows throughout Europe. Like many small coachbuilding firms, Ghia-Aigle found work wherever it could, and the unique Swiss bodies were seen on a diverse group of cars from Fiat 1100s to a Bugatti 57SC.

This Ghia-Aigle Alfa Romeo 1900 (Serial #: 01959) was manufactured on May 10, 1954, and was immediately sold as a rolling chassis to Societa per il Commercio dei Prodotti Alfa Romeo in Lugano, Switzerland, the new location of Ghia-Aigle.

One of just eight Alfa Romeos bodied by Ghia, and the earliest of them, Giovanni Michelotti designed this car specifically for the Geneva Auto Salon, where it debuted in March 1955.

The car is powered by a twin-overhead-cam, in-line 4-cylinder, 1,975cc engine developing 115 horsepower coupled to a 5-speed manual transmission. The chassis consists of coil-spring suspension, independent in front, worm-and-roller steering and hydraulic drum brakes. The car weighs 2,205 pounds and has a top speed of 112 mph.

After the Auto Show, the car was sold to a Swiss owner. However, by the 1960s, it appeared to be in the hands of Dutch dealer Rob de la Rive Box. The history of the car during this period of time is still obscure as the car seems to have remained in very private hands.

During the 1980s the car underwent a restoration by its then-owner, Pierre Le Grand. The car was then acquired by Claud Fresard and was featured prominently in his “Musee de l’Automobile Muriaux” in Switzerland for approximately 10 years.

It was then purchased by a Dutch collector, who maintained, used and displayed it for several years throughout Europe.

It remained in mainland Europe until 2000 when it finally, and for the first time, made its way to America and to her new owner, Gene Ponder.

The car was acquired by her current owner, Mr. Stephen Bruno, in 2009, and was ultimately brought to The Creative Workshop in 2010 to begin restoration.

The car completed its comprehensive, forensic restoration in August of 2013, and was unveiled at the 2013 Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance, ultimately earning a third place in class in the incredibly competitive O2 Custom Body post war sports and touring class.

In March 2014 the car was shown at the Amelia Island Concours, taking best in class and winning the Most Elegant Sports Car award, a Major Amelia award.
In May 2014 the car was invited to participate at the 2014 Villa d’este Concours d'Elegance in the St. Tropez to Portofino class, “Alfresco Driving for Two”.

Next stop the St John Concourse in Michigan in July.