Editing Alfa Romeo RL & RM/Chassis Registry/Chassis/RL/7639S

= Alfa Romeo RL Sport (RLS) Tourer chassis 7639S =

{{ChassisEntry
| manufacturer = Alfa Romeo
| model = Alfa Romeo RL & RM
| variant = RL Sport (RLS), Third Series
| year = 1923
| chassis = 7639S
| engine = 7639
| gearbox = 4-speed manual
| body = Australian-built tourer body
| coachbuilder = Built in Australia (exact coachbuilder unknown)

| engine_size_original = 2,994 cc
| engine_size_current  = 2,994 cc

| body_style_original = Supplied as rolling chassis with scuttle; locally bodied tourer
| body_style_current  = Four-seat tourer (Australian coachwork, restored)

| colour_original = Unknown
| colour_current  = Red with black wings

| interior_original = Unknown
| interior_current  = Black leather with black carpets

| first_completed = Late 1923 (Third Series production)
| first_delivered = January 1924 (imported to Australia)
| first_destination = Overseas Motors (Australia)
| original_registration = JD7490

| notes_short = Third Series RL Sport; imported to Australia with sister chassis 7638S; retains restored Australian coachwork; long-term museum display.

| blurb = A 1923 Alfa Romeo RL Sport (RLS) Third Series chassis 7639S, imported to Australia in 1924 and later preserved in the Lance Dixon collection and the York Motor Museum.

| 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 || First recorded owner (name unconfirmed) || Victoria, Australia || Local dentist (reported) || 1924 || Post-WWII
|-
| 2 || Private owner (discoverer) || Victoria, Australia || Discovered vehicle on farm; retained for extended period || Post-WWII || 1971
|-
| 3 || Lance Dixon Collection || Australia || Collector; arranged restoration work || 1971 || 1980
|-
| 4 || York Motor Museum || Western Australia || Display vehicle || 1980 || —
|}

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== Registration history ==

{| class="wikitable sortable"
! Registration !! Location !! From !! To !! Notes
|-
| JD7490 || Australia || 1920s || — || Period Australian registration
|}

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== Competition history (period) ==

No confirmed period competition participation documented for chassis 7639S.

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== Appearances and non-competitive events ==

{| class="wikitable sortable"
! Year !! Event !! Driver(s) / Exhibitor !! Notes
|-
| 1980 onward || York Motor Museum display || Lance Dixon Collection / Museum || Preserved as static exhibit
|}

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== Restoration and mechanical history ==

* Imported to Australia in January 1924 by Overseas Motors together with sister chassis 7638S.
* Supplied from Alfa Romeo as a drivable chassis including scuttle, bonnet, wings, lights and dashboard.
* Coachwork constructed in Australia, reportedly modeled on contemporary Alfa Romeo factory brochure designs.
* Discovered post-WWII on a farm in Victoria.
* Restoration work undertaken following acquisition by the Lance Dixon collection (from 1971).
* Retains its restored Australian-built coachwork.
* Dry sump lubrication system requiring manual oil feed activation prior to starting.
* Equipped with twin Zenith carburettors.

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== Technical notes ==

The RL Sport (RLS) differed from the RL Normale through:

* Increased engine capacity (2,994 cc vs 2,916 cc)
* Dry sump lubrication
* Twin carburettors
* Shorter chassis
* Pointed radiator with dual Alfa Romeo badges

Third Series production incorporated incremental refinements introduced after September 1923.

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== Historical significance ==

Chassis 7639S represents a rare surviving Third Series RL Sport exported in period to Australia. Together with chassis 7638S, it forms part of a documented pair imported by Overseas Motors in early 1924.

Its survival with early Australian coachwork and long-term preservation within major collections contributes to its historical value as an example of Alfa Romeo’s first post-war sporting six-cylinder model.

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== Notes ==

* Total RL production approximately 2,640 units (1919–1927).
* RL Sport production approximately 537 units.
* Exact Australian coachbuilder unidentified.
* Early ownership prior to farm storage requires further archival confirmation.

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== Sources ==

* Vintage and Prestige Fine Motor Cars listing
* Lance Dixon collection records
* York Motor Museum documentation
* Secondary historical summaries of RL production