1953 | Alfa Romeo 1900 M
Alfa Romeo 1900 M "Matta" (the Crazy One)
$78,478
1 / 50
1953 | Alfa Romeo 1900 M
Alfa Romeo 1900 M "Matta" (the Crazy One)
$78,478
1953 | Alfa Romeo 1900 M
Alfa Romeo 1900 M "Matta" (the Crazy One)
$78,478
Dealer
Description
Description
Alfa Romeo 1900 M AR51 “Matta” – an exceptional piece of Alfa Romeo history
An off-road vehicle from Alfa Romeo? What may not sound particularly unusual today was a truly surprising proposition in the early 1950s. Alfa Romeo was known for elegant saloons and sports cars – now the brand was to develop a light off-road vehicle on behalf of the Italian Ministry of Defence.
The result officially carried the designation 1900 M AR51. The “1900” referred to the technical basis, the “M” to its military purpose, and “AR” to Autovettura da Ricognizione, meaning reconnaissance vehicle. The brief called for a robust four-wheel-drive vehicle that could replace the American Jeeps available after the war. Alfa Romeo approached the task in its typically distinctive manner, however: instead of simple mass-production technology, it put a technically sophisticated vehicle on the road.
At its heart was the 1.9-litre four-cylinder engine with two overhead camshafts derived from the Alfa Romeo 1900. The engine was appropriately adapted for off-road use and fitted with dry-sump lubrication. This was complemented by four-wheel drive with low-range gearing, a ladder frame, and independent front-wheel suspension, unusual for an off-road vehicle of the time.
That Alfa Romeo was not exactly modest in its approach to development is demonstrated by one of the most famous stories surrounding the AR51: On 5 October 1951, the prototype conquered the steps leading to the Basilica of Assisi in front of an audience. The vehicle impressively demonstrated what it was capable of – and in this context received the nickname that would later become legendary, “Matta”, Italian for “the mad one” or “the crazy one”. The name was not originally an official model designation, but rather a nickname that became established through the vehicle’s spectacular appearances.
The Matta also attracted attention in competition with the off-road vehicle developed by Fiat. In 1952, one example took part in the Mille Miglia – the only year in which military vehicles were also permitted to compete – and beat the Fiat Campagnola. For an off-road vehicle, this was a fitting demonstration of the unusual ambitions with which Alfa Romeo had approached the project.
The military AR51 ultimately failed to prevail against Fiat’s simpler and less expensive competition. Alfa Romeo nevertheless produced a small series: around 2,000 vehicles went to the Italian military, with only a few civilian AR52s added. It is precisely this limited production number that makes the Matta such a rare sight among historic Alfa Romeos today.
The Alfa Romeo 1900 M AR51 offered here was first registered for civilian road use in 1972. From 2019 to 2021, the vehicle was fully restored and subsequently granted historic registration.
As a result, the Matta is not only an exceptional Alfa Romeo, but also a vehicle with a history that can hardly be compared with that of an ordinary classic car. It tells the story of a time when Alfa Romeo was prepared to develop a technically sophisticated off-road vehicle for the Italian military – and went so far as to send it up the steps of Assisi.
“Matta” is one of the most unusual stories in Alfa Romeo history. And that is precisely why it is such a fascinating collector’s vehicle today.
Drive your dream!
This description has been automatically translated. Original language: German.
Condition & Registration
Condition & Registration
- Condition category
- Restored
- MOT
- Historical license plate
- Registered
- Ready to drive
- Accident free
Self assessments
Engine (Seller assessment)
★★★★☆
Paintwork (Seller assessment)
★★★★☆
Interior (Seller assessment)
★★★★☆
Technique (Seller assessment)
★★★★☆
Inspection Report
Not available
Inspection Report
Not available
Have this vehicle inspected by experts!
- Transparency over 128 inspection points
- Condition grades for each component
- Paint thickness measurement
Technical Details
Technical Details
Vehicle data
- Make
- Alfa Romeo
- Model series
- Matta
- Model name
- 1900 M
- Manufacturer code
- AR 51
- First registration date
- 07/1972
- Year of manufacture
- 1953
- Mileage (read)
- 23,800 km
- Chassis number
- AR5100312
- Engine number
- Not provided
- Gearbox number
- Not provided
- Matching numbers
- Yes
- Number of owners
- Not provided
Technical details
- Body style
- 4x4 (Military vehicle)
- Power (kW/hp)
- 48/65
- Cubic capacity (cm³)
- 1900
- Cylinders
- 4
- Doors
- 2
- Steering
- Left (LHD)
- Gearbox
- Manual
- Gears
- 4
- Transmission
- 4WD
- Front brakes
- Not provided
- Rear brakes
- Not provided
- Fuel type
- Petrol
Individual Configuration
Individual Configuration
- Exterior color
- Blue
- Folding roof
- Yes
- Interior color
- Grey
- Interior material
- Imitation leather
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