Editing Alfa Romeo RL & RM/Chassis Registry/Chassis/RL/Unknown-RLS-ARG

= Alfa Romeo RL Sport chassis (unknown) =

{{ChassisEntry
| manufacturer = Alfa Romeo
| model = Alfa Romeo RL & RM
| variant = RL Sport (RLS)
| year = 1922
| chassis = Unknown
| engine = Unknown
| gearbox = Unknown
| body = Unknown
| coachbuilder = Unknown (plate reading “Virginio Perucci – Palermo”)

| engine_size_original = 2,994 cc
| engine_size_current  = 2,994 cc (rebuilt; components renewed)

| body_style_original = Sporting touring body (exact factory style unknown)
| body_style_current  = Two-seater competition-style body (as discovered in Argentina)

| colour_original = Unknown
| colour_current  = Unknown

| interior_original = Unknown
| interior_current  = Unknown

| first_completed = 1922
| first_delivered = Unknown
| first_destination = Unknown
| original_registration = Unknown

| notes_short = Early RL Sport identifiable by two-wheel braking system; discovered in Argentina; extensively restored in the UK in the late 1980s–early 1990s.

| blurb = A 1922 Alfa Romeo RL Sport (RLS), one of approximately 537 examples produced, later discovered in Argentina and restored in the United Kingdom.

| 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 || Juan Malcolm || Córdoba, Argentina || Racing driver; competed locally with the car || By 1924 || c.1924
|-
| 2 || Pleni (surname unknown) || Córdoba, Argentina || Mechanic to Juan Malcolm; retained vehicle for extended period || c.1924 || Late 1980s
|-
| 3 || Private owner (current consignor at time of auction) || United Kingdom || Imported car from Argentina; commissioned full restoration by Frenchay Garage || Late 1980s || Present (at time of sale)
|}

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== Registration history ==

No confirmed early registration records are currently documented. Argentine competition participation in 1924 is recorded but registration data is unconfirmed.

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== Competition history (period) ==

{| class="wikitable sortable"
! Year !! Event !! Driver(s) !! Race No. !! Result !! Notes
|-
| 1924 || Córdoba (local event) || Juan Malcolm || — || Unknown || 27 April 1924
|-
| 1924 || Córdoba (local event) || Juan Malcolm || — || Unknown || 5 October 1924
|-
| 1924 || Córdoba (local event) || Juan Malcolm || — || Unknown || 12 October 1924
|}

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== Appearances and non-competitive events ==

{| class="wikitable sortable"
! Year !! Event !! Driver(s) / Exhibitor !! Notes
|-
| 1994 || Feature article in ''The Automobile'' magazine || UK owner || April 1994 edition, following restoration
|}

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== Restoration and mechanical history ==

* Discovered in Argentina and imported to the United Kingdom in the late 1980s.
* Subject to comprehensive restoration by Frenchay Garage (marque specialists).
* Engine fully rebuilt with:
  * New bearings  
  * Cylinder liners  
  * Pistons  
  * Connecting rods  
  * Valves  
  * Timing chain  
* Radiator appears to originate from an RL Normale or possibly a four-cylinder RM.
* Body configuration retained as discovered in Argentina.
* No factory identifying numbers located at time of restoration, with the exception of a plate reading “Virginio Perucci – Palermo” affixed to the bonnet side.

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== Historical significance ==

The RL Sport represents one of Alfa Romeo’s earliest successful post-war sporting models and forms part of the evolutionary lineage that led to the later 6C series. Approximately 537 RL Sport examples were produced, compared with 2,631 RL models in total.

Although not documented as a factory Targa Florio (RLTF) chassis, this example reflects the sporting configuration and aesthetic style associated with the competition variants of the period. Its confirmed participation in Argentine racing in 1924 contributes to its period competition relevance, albeit at a regional level.

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== Notes ==

* No confirmed chassis or engine numbers have been identified.
* Radiator believed to be non-original.
* Coachbuilder attribution unconfirmed; plate reading “Virginio Perucci – Palermo” may indicate later bodywork or repair.
* Production totals cited from period sources (2,631 RL total; 537 RL Sport; eight RLTF competition cars).

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== Sources ==

* Auction catalogue description (1922 Alfa Romeo RL Sport Special)
* ''The Automobile'' magazine, April 1994 edition
* Restoration records (Frenchay Garage)