Editing Alfa Romeo RL & RM/Chassis Registry/Chassis/RL/7087

= Alfa Romeo RL Sport chassis 7087 =

{{ChassisEntry
| manufacturer = Alfa Romeo
| model = Alfa Romeo RL & RM
| variant = RL Sport (shortened to Targa Florio specification in period)
| year = 1923
| chassis = 7087
| engine = 7087
| gearbox = Alfa Romeo 4-speed manual (matching numbered unit)
| body = Two-seater sporting body (Argentine coachwork)
| coachbuilder = Argentine coachbuilder (exact builder unknown)

| engine_size_original = 2,994 cc
| engine_size_current  = 2,994 cc (matching numbers)

| body_style_original = Sport (likely Argentine-built two-seater)
| body_style_current  = Sport two-seater (period modified; preserved)

| colour_original = Unknown
| colour_current  = Preserved “oily rag” condition

| interior_original = Period sporting trim
| interior_current  = Preserved original components where possible

| first_completed = 1923
| first_delivered = 03/01/1924
| first_destination = Buenos Aires, Argentina
| original_registration = Argentina (early records under Caru/Zanardi)

| notes_short = Possibly oldest surviving RL; delivered new to Argentina; extensive documented period racing; shortened to TF specification in 1924; largely matching-number drivetrain.

| blurb = A 1923 Alfa Romeo RL Sport, chassis 7087, delivered new to Argentina and extensively raced in period, retaining matching chassis, engine and major drivetrain components and modified to Targa Florio specification during its early competition career.

| registry_page = Alfa Romeo RL & RM/Chassis Registry
}}

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== Ownership history ==

{| class="wikitable sortable"
! No. !! Owner !! Location !! Occupation / Notes !! From !! To
|-
| 1 || Eduardo Caru Jr. / Alfa Romeo Buenos Aires dealership || Buenos Aires, Argentina || Imported new; used for promotional competition entries || 1924 || 15/04/1924
|-
| 2 || Ernesto Zanardi || Argentina || Racing driver; campaigned car under Caru dealership arrangement || 15/04/1924 || 1937
|-
| 3 || José “Don José” Oyon || Argentina || Secretary of Audax Automovil Club; raced car || 1937 || 19/04/1942
|-
| 4 || Luis A. Sala || Buenos Aires, Argentina || Acquired as “automovil de carrera” with spare engine || 19/04/1942 || 1994
|-
| 5 || Eugenio Schlossberg || Argentina || Alfa Romeo collector; initiated careful restoration || 1994 || 2012
|-
| 6 || Private owner || Germany || Acquired 2012; mechanical overhaul while preserving patina || 2012 || Present
|}

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== Registration history ==

{| class="wikitable sortable"
! Registration !! Location !! From !! To !! Notes
|-
| Argentine registration (period) || Buenos Aires || 1924 || 1940s || Used primarily for racing purposes
|}

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== Competition history (period) ==

{| class="wikitable sortable"
! Year !! Event !! Driver(s) !! Result !! Notes
|-
| 1925 || Gran Premio Nacional || Ernesto Zanardi || 3rd overall || Documented participation
|-
| 1925 || Circuito Castellano || Ernesto Zanardi || DNF || Fastest lap recorded at over 130 km/h average
|-
| 1926 || Circuito Audax Córdoba || Ernesto Zanardi || — || Documented entry
|-
| 1937 || Audax Automovil Club events || José Oyon || — || Confirmed via license documentation
|}

Car was entered under promotional arrangement with Eduardo Caru’s Alfa Romeo dealership.

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== Appearances and non-competitive events ==

{| class="wikitable sortable"
! Year !! Event !! Exhibitor !! Notes
|-
| 2024 || Concorso d'Eleganza Villa d'Este || Current owner || Accepted entrant
|-
| Various || Historic rallies and exhibitions || Current owner || Including Flying Scotsman Rally (unsuccessful outing prior to overhaul)
|-
| 2026 || Salon Rétromobile || PreWarCar.com stand || Pavilion 7.3, stand B011
|}

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== Restoration and mechanical history ==

* Period modification (1924): chassis shortened to Targa Florio specification.
* Front axle replaced in period with 1924 unit to incorporate front braking system (introduced September 1923).
* Front axle is numbered in the 8000 range.
* Matching numbers retained for:
  * Engine
  * Gearbox
  * Steering box
  * Rear axle
  * Other numbered components
* Restored under guidance of Eugenio Schlossberg (post-1994).
* Technical overhaul undertaken after 2013:
  * Rear suspension corrected
  * Clutch revised
  * Brakes revised
* Engine fully overhauled by German specialists (circa 2018–2020).
* Restoration philosophy: mechanical reliability with preservation of original patina.

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== Technical specification ==

RL Sport specification:

* Inline six-cylinder overhead-valve engine
* Displacement: 2,994 cc
* Approximately 71 bhp
* Twin carburettors
* Four-speed manual transmission
* Live rear axle
* Mechanical drum brakes (front braking introduced 1923)

Period modification brought chassis closer to RL Targa Florio specification.

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== Historical significance ==

Chassis 7087 is regarded as possibly the oldest surviving Alfa Romeo RL.

Its extensive documented Argentine competition history, early export status, and period modification to Targa Florio specification make it a significant example of Alfa Romeo’s early international sporting activity.

The car retains an unusually high percentage of original numbered components, enhancing its historical integrity.

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== Notes ==

* Front axle replaced in period to incorporate front brakes.
* Spare engine referenced in 1942 sale documentation.
* Racing arrangement between Caru dealership and Zanardi documented in period correspondence (29.01.1926).
* Delivery to Argentina 03 January 1924.
* Argentine coachbuilder not identified.

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== Sources ==

* Auction catalogue description
* Argentine period racing documentation
* Sale contract dated 19 April 1942
* Correspondence dated 29 January 1926
* Restoration documentation (Schlossberg collection)