• One-off Vignale coachwork designed by Giovanni Michelotti
• Unveiled at the 1955 Salone di Turino
• Appeared in two 1980s Italian films: Sapore di Mare 2 – Un Anno Dopo and Giovanni Senzapensier, and the TV show Yesterday, Vacanze al Mare
• Acquired by the current owner in 2011 and restored under his care, whilst retaining the original interior
• Exhibited at numerous concours events, including winning Best of Show at the Concours d’Elegance Citta di Lugano
• Retains its original chassis and engine

Combining some of Italy’s most beloved names in automotive coachbuilding, design, and engineering; Vignale, Michelotti, and Alfa Romeo, this 1900 Cabriolet embodies the very best of La Dolce Vita. At a time when the Italian automotive industry had finally found its feet after the Second World War, a variety of manufacturers and coachbuilders were churning out an incredible assortment of automobiles, captivating audiences both on the race track and at motor shows across Europe, with this particular 1900 Cabriolet taking pride of place at the Salone di Torino in 1955.

Period photographs of the Alfa Romeo on display show it with a placard displaying the nickname “La Fleche”, translated from French meaning “The Arrow”, alluding to the car’s sleek design. Characterized by its use of chrome trim and scalloped vents, its design is softer and more subtle than Michelotti and Vignale designs seen on other Italian cars, such as the Vignale-bodied Ferrari 250 Europas unveiled a few years prior. At the rear, La Fleche boasts bespoke taillights, and inside the car’s dashboard was trimmed to match the exterior colours. Most notably, this is the only Alfa Romeo to feature a heart-shaped radiator grille.

Shortly after its unveiling in Turin, La Fleche was registered for road use, and it has remained in its native Italy ever since. First registered in Trieste in mid-1955 under the ownership of the Società Navigazione Italo- Sud Africana, the car was later reregistered in their ownership in Rome in 1964. By 1983, the car was acquired by Società Colonica Belvedere, a company that provided rental of interesting vehicles for use in Italian films. Under their ownership, the car appeared in two Italian comedy films; Sapore di Mare 2 – Un Anno Dopoand Giovanni Senzapensieri, released in 1983 and 1986 respectively, as well as the Italian television miniseries Yesterday, Vacanze al Mare in 1985.

In 1987, La Fleche was acquired by Emanuele Barletta who kept the car until 2011, at which point it was acquired by the current owner, a well-known collector of coachbuilt Italian automobiles. Under his care, La Fleche was restored and upon its completion, the car was shown at a number of concours events. Great care was taken not only in returning the car to as it was when it was first unveiled in Turin, which included carefully preserving the car’s wonderfully patinated original interior.

Following the completion of the restoration, the owner has very much enjoyed showing La Fleche at a handful of European concours events, beginning in 2018, where it was very well received. It was awarded 1st in class at the 2018 Concorso d’Eleganza di Lucerna and Best of Show honours at the Concours d’Elegance Citta di Lugano later that year. In 2019, the car was shown at the Concourso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este and also appeared at a Fashion and Design exhibition at the Museo Svizzero dei Trasporti in Lucerne. The car was also prominently featured at the at the Museo dell’Automobile di Torino in an exhibition celebrating Michelotti’s designs dubbed “Michelotti World”.

Alfa Romeo’s 1900 chassis played host to a variety of fascinating coachbuilt designs, with La Fleche standing out as one of the most attractive of the one-off designs, and a truly spectacular example of ‘Stile Transatlantico’. Well restored and coming out of long-term ownership from a highly esteemed collection, La Fleche would be an exceptional addition to any collection on either side of the Atlantic.
To view this car and others currently available, please visit the RM website at rmsothebys.com/ps00/.