Lot Ended
Description
Extremely rare Alfa Romeo commercial; ideal race transporter/paddock
support; later 1.6 twin-cam engine; little work to complete; UK
registered
The
Alfa Romeo "Romeo" Autotutto was introduced to the press at the Alfa Romeo
Portello (Milan) factory in 1954 and then to the public at the 1954 Turin Motor
Show as a panel van and minibus, bearing more than a passing resemblance to the
VW Transporter which had already been in production for several years.
But there were some marked differences. The Romeo had rear-hinged
"suicide" front doors whereas the VW had front hinged doors. The Romeo
windscreen was curved and one-piece, while the VW had a V screen of 2 flat
glasses. The Romeo had a full height rear loading door, the VW having a top
hinged half-door above the engine compartment.
However under the skin all was
different, although just as radical as the VW. Engines were either a 1,290cc
petrol or a 1,160cc diesel, but of course, being Alfa Romeo, these were not just
ordinary engines... The petrol engine was the new 750 series twin-cam destined
to power the Giulietta, while the diesel was a 1,160cc two-stroke twin-cylinder
with a Roots-type supercharger produced under licence from
Lizt.
The petrol engine was a de-tuned version
of what would later be installed in the Giulietta Berlina with a single choke
Solex carburettor. A compression ratio of 7.5:1 gave 35 bhp and enabled it to
run on the low octane petrol generally then available and to carry loads of up
to a ton at a top speed of 60mph, more than sufficient for the roads of the
period.
Transmission
was via a ZF transaxle (front-wheel drive), and the independent rear suspension
was by transverse torsion bars linked to trailing arms, giving an extremely low
floor level.
The
model subsequently received various modifications and was then known
as the "Romeo 2", of which this vehicle is an example.
There does not appear to be an exact
English translation for "Autotutto", it would seem to mean "All Purpose",
"Universal" or "Vehicle For All".
More
information about the Romeo series can be found on the Romeo Register website,
www.romeoregister.com.
This
particular example started out as a special bodied mobile AVIS blood donor
clinic vehicle, reputedly by Colli, the Milan carrozzeria who carried out
all the special projects for Alfa Romeo, and was originally powered by
the quirky two-stroke twin-cylinder diesel engine. There is a gap in
the history after it was withdrawn from AVIS service. It is thought that it
was converted to a camper in the 60's or 70's, in which form the current owner
bought it in Italy in the early 1990s. By then it had gained a
1,290cc four-cylinder twin-cam engine, as in the Giulietta, and this in
turn was replaced with a 1,570cc Giulia 105 series engine in around
2012.
We are advised that the engine has been given an overhaul, along
with the transmission and it sits on a set of new Continental 600 x 16
tyres. In the back are the numerous small parts removed during its restoration
such as handles etc,so it should be a straightforward project for its new
owner.
A very
rare high roof version, with a longer body behind the rear axle, the current
owner embarked on a comprehensive body-off restoration and conversion programme,
with the aim of having a quasi-replica of the Alfa Romeo factory service and
competition support vans which were in use in Italy and the USA. A
schematic of his original plan can be seen in the photos online.
Modifications
carried out included:
Overhauled
1,570cc Giulia t.i. engine
123
electronic ignition
Weber
replacement single choke carburettor
High
capacity stainless steel fuel tank (approx 100% increase) and Bendix type
electric fuel pump
Panelling
in of some rear side windows to increase available space for sign
writing.
The
pace at which the company carried out the restoration and conversion ground
to a halt, until it went into liquidation some 5 years ago. The owner
eventually retrieved his Romeo and has now reluctantly decided to pass
it on to another enthusiast to complete.
The Romeo has been running
recently, steers and stops. After making all the usual checks as one does after
a period of non-use, the engine soon started. The already somewhat crowded
engine bay, together with the increased height of the 1,570cc engine, has
resulted in the cracking of the cast-iron exhaust manifold. Considering the
lack of space in that area, a tubular manifold would be a good
solution.
It is understood that as this Romeo has been previously registered in
Italy under the Piacenza registration of "PC 33116", it may well be
possible to import it back into the E.U. without payment of any import duties or
taxes. You are advised to check this yourself. Note however that there has
been a change of engine since it left Italy.
There
are many possible uses for this Romeo, race support, advertising/promotion,
camper, or just to be enjoyed as a very rare version of an already uncommon Alfa
Romeo commercial vehicle.
Contact [email protected]
* All charges are subject to VAT