1955 Alfa Romeo 1900 M – Exterior and Interior – Retro Classics Stuttgart 2022

This is the Alfa Romeo 1900 M. Its nickname, “La Matta” (“the crazy one”) stuck because it captured the car’s unexpected nature: a refined Alfa Romeo engine and twin-cam pedigree in a brutish, loud, and uncompromising 4×4.

Technical Details:

The Alfa Romeo 1900 M, better known as the “Matta,” is technically distinct within the broader 1900 family. It uses a front-mounted inline four-cylinder engine derived from the 1900 series, with displacements cited at 1,885 cc and 1,975 cc depending on specification. Power output ranges from 90 PS at 5,200 rpm to up to 115 PS at 5,500 rpm, figures that were notable for a vehicle conceived for military reconnaissance rather than road performance. Power is sent through a four-speed manual gearbox paired with a low-range reduction gear, and drive is delivered to the rear wheels or all four wheels via manually engaged four-wheel drive. A rear differential lock further underlines the Matta’s off-road intent.

One of its most distinctive technical features is dry-sump lubrication with a separate oil tank, a solution chosen specifically to guarantee engine reliability on steep inclines. The chassis is of ladder-frame construction, suited to rough terrain and heavy-duty use. Period Italian sources regularly quote impressive off-road capabilities, including the ability to climb gradients of up to 120 percent (around 50 degrees) and to ford water up to 70 cm deep. With a wheelbase of 2,200 mm and compact overall dimensions—3,520 mm in length, 1,575 mm in width, and 1,820 mm in height—the Matta combined maneuverability with robustness. Depending on configuration, top speed figures are typically given between 150 and 180 km/h, an unusual statistic in this vehicle class.

• Manufacturer: Alfa Romeo
• Model name: Alfa Romeo 1900 M “Matta”
• Year of manufacturing: 1955

Design:

In design terms, the Alfa Romeo 1900 M is defined less by elegance than by purpose. Its body is made of steel sheet metal and prioritizes durability and practicality over visual refinement. The proportions are upright and compact, with a tall stance that reflects its intended use on uneven ground rather than paved roads. Surfaces are largely flat and functional, reinforcing the Matta’s utilitarian character.

Yet beneath this rugged exterior lies an unmistakable Alfa Romeo contradiction. The presence of a refined twin-cam engine architecture within a noisy, uncompromising military four-wheel-drive vehicle created a striking contrast that enthusiasts still note today. The interior follows the same logic: sparse, practical, and focused on usability, with little concession to comfort. This tension between mechanical sophistication and austere presentation is central to how the Matta is perceived, both visually and emotionally.

Historical Significance:

The historical importance of the Alfa Romeo 1900 M is closely tied to Alfa Romeo’s postwar repositioning. Before the Second World War, the Milanese manufacturer was primarily known for luxurious cars and exclusive six- and eight-cylinder sports models. After 1945, Alfa Romeo recognized that continuing unchanged was no longer viable. The 1900, introduced in 1950, marked a turning point as the company’s first model with a self-supporting pontoon body and fully in-house production, laying the foundation for Alfa Romeo’s reputation as a builder of sporty sedans.

The Matta emerged from this context as a specialized offshoot. It was developed in response to a tender from the Italian Ministry of Defence for a light reconnaissance vehicle, designated A.R. 51 (Autovettura da Ricognizione 1951). A civilian derivative followed as the AR 52, featuring small but concrete differences in equipment and practicality. Total production between 1951 and 1954 reached 2,059 units, comprising 1,899 AR 51 vehicles (plus six prototypes) and 154 AR 52s, many allocated to various Italian state bodies. While produced in limited numbers, the Matta stands as evidence of Alfa Romeo’s willingness to apply its engineering culture to unconventional roles during Italy’s postwar reconstruction.

Quirks and Pop Culture:

Few military vehicles have generated as many stories as the Alfa Romeo Matta. Its nickname, “La Matta” (“the crazy one”), emerged almost immediately among soldiers and testers and was never an official factory designation. The name stuck because it captured the car’s unexpected nature: a refined Alfa Romeo engine and twin-cam pedigree in a brutish, loud, and uncompromising 4×4. In Italian car culture, this contrast resonated with the idea of genio e sregolatezza—genius paired with unruliness—often associated with the brand.

One of the most cited episodes is the Matta’s participation in the 1952 Mille Miglia, where a one-off “military vehicles” category was created and won by an Alfa Romeo Matta. Enthusiast culture remembers this as both a provocation and a demonstration that Alfa Romeo engineering could “compete” even when seemingly misapplied. Club storytelling has since exaggerated the moment into near parody, sometimes calling it “the only time a jeep had a racing pedigree.”

Another documented curiosity involves an AR 52 prototype used as a support and command vehicle for Fausto Coppi’s cycling team during the 1952 Tour de France. Associating the Matta with Coppi—a national symbol of modernity, discipline, and postwar redemption—gave the vehicle a symbolic weight far beyond its logistical role. The frequently repeated legend of a Matta prototype climbing the medieval stone staircases of Assisi further cemented its mythic status, whether fully factual or not.

Display and preservation:

The vehicle was exhibited at the Retro Classics Stuttgart in 2022. This car show is one of the major events on the classic car calendar in Germany. In 2022, it took place across five exhibition halls. Visitors can enjoy special showcases, hunt for rare parts and books, and buy cars—both private sellers and dealers offer a wide range of classic and youngtimer vehicles. In 2022, there was a noticeable increase in low-mileage youngtimers and classic cars.

Conclusion:

The 1955 Alfa Romeo 1900 M “Matta” occupies a singular place in automotive history. Technically advanced yet outwardly austere, it combined Alfa Romeo’s twin-cam engineering tradition with a ladder-frame, four-wheel-drive military platform. Born from postwar necessity and a defence tender, produced in small numbers, and surrounded by anecdotes ranging from the Mille Miglia to Fausto Coppi, the Matta has endured less as a mass-market vehicle than as a cultural artifact. It remains a compelling illustration of how Alfa Romeo’s identity persisted even when applied to the most unlikely of vehicles.