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1954 Alfa Romeo 2000 Sportiva

In the late fifties, Alfa Romeo was looking to revive the glory of their prewar period. To do so they built several ‘flying saucers’ called Disco Volantes for the track and the Sportiva as a road-going version. While neither project made production, both encouraged the design of several unique cars and the Sportiva ranks as one of the best sports cars from the fifties. The Sportiva was a small car that relied on the solid Alfa Romeo engineering built up from the prewar period. Like the Disco Volante, the Sportiva featured a tubular space frame and a hot version of the DOHC engine sourced from Alfa’s immediate post-war family saloon, the 1900. But to stay competitive with the with cars like the Mercedes-Benz SL300, Alfa Romeo focused on creating a small design to utilize all the 138 bhp that was available.

So, a short wheelbase chassis was sent to the Studios of Bertone to be dressed in a body that would attract customers as series production supercar. Franco Scaglione was assisted with the project and together with Bertone they designed both a coupe and convertible version.

Even though the Sportiva complied with sport category racing regulations, the car never went into regular production. Only four show cars were completed including two convertible examples. It is a shame really, since the car was road tested as very production worthy

1954 Alfa Romeo 2000 Sportiva Gallery

See full 1954 Alfa Romeo 2000 Sportiva Gallery here

In Detail

engine Front Longitudinal
position Cast Iron Inline-4 w/Aluminum Head
valvetrain DOHC
displacement 1997 cc / 121.9 in³
bore 85 mm / 3.35 in
stroke 86 mm / 3.39 in
compression 9.0:1
power 102.9 kw / 138 bhp @ 6500 rpm
specific output 69.1 bhp per litre
bhp/weight 150.82 bhp per tonne
body / frame Steel Bodyt over Tubular Steel Chassis
driven wheels RWD
front tires 6.00 x 16
rear tires 6.00 x 16
front brakes Drums
f brake size mm / in
rear brakes Drums
r brake size mm / in
steering Rack & Pinion
f suspension Transverse Arms w/Coil Springs, Hydrualic Dampers
r suspension De-Dion Type Axle w/Oblique Arm, Transverse Rods, Hydrualic Dampers
curb weight 915 kg / 2017 lbs
wheelbase 2200 mm / 86.6 in
front track 1270 mm / 50.0 in
rear track 1310 mm / 51.6 in
length 3600 mm / 141.7 in
transmission 5-Speed Manual
gear ratios :1
top speed ~220 kph / 136.7 mph