Alfa Romeo is the gold sponsor for the 2014 Mille Miglia regularity race, which takes place later this week. Under current regulations cars that compete in the modern Mille Miglia must have competed in the original era of the event (1927–1957). Thankfully for our eyes this 1954 Alfa Romeo 2000 Sportiva did just that.
The 2000 Sportiva is very rare and according to Wikipedia only two roadsters and two coupés were made. It was planned to enter the 2000 Sportiva into full production, but that didn’t eventuate.
All that means is we are left with this image above. What a gorgeous car! You can read a little more about the car from Alfa Romeo after the break.
Alfa Romeo 2000 Sportiva – 1954
The “2000 Sportiva” was designed in 1954 with the goal set by Alfa Romeo engineers to make a small series of high-performance cars suited for both road use and “Sport” category races. The two-litre twin camshaft four-cylinder engine delivered a power of 138 HP and was closely derived from the engine of the “1900”. It propelled the “Sportiva” to a top speed of 220 km/h, outstandingly fast for its day.
The “2000 Sportiva” is technically advanced: it fits a five-speed gearbox and a De Dion rear suspension. The aluminium body designed by Bertone and made by Franco Scaglione, “father” of the nearly contemporary “Giulietta Sprint”, “Giulietta SS” and “33 Stradale”, is streamlined and very elegant. The rear window, rear end and boot of the “2000 Sportiva” will be successfully carried over to the “Sprint”, with the proportions obviously adapted.
The driveability and performance of the “2000 Sportiva” were top in class and the car is remarkably pleasant and safe to drive even today. At the end of the sixties, the De Dion rear suspension will be used to create similar solutions for the 1972 Alfetta.
Two units of the “2000 Sportiva” were made, one with metallic grey paintwork (owned by the Alfa Romeo Museum) and the other a super-classic red owned by a collector.