Alfa Romeo G1/Chassis/6018
Alfa Romeo G1 chassis 6018
[edit]Alfa Romeo G1 chassis 6018 is a 1921/1922 G1 (export specification) bodied by Originally Schieppati (production style); later coachwork reconstructed (1970s) and modified (2010s).
Alfa Romeo G1 chassis 6018, exported new to Australia and long preserved there, is widely regarded as the sole surviving example of the G1 model and has undergone multiple restorations, most recently in Spider Corsa-style configuration.
Factory specification
[edit]- Manufacturer: Alfa Romeo
- Model: Alfa Romeo G1
- Variant / Type: G1 (export specification)
- Year: 1921/1922
- Chassis number: 6018
- Engine number: Matching G1 six-cylinder
- Gearbox number: Alfa Romeo 4-speed manual
- Body number: Originally Torpedo; later reconstructed; currently Spider Corsa-style
- Coachbuilder: Originally Schieppati (production style); later coachwork reconstructed (1970s) and modified (2010s)
- Engine size (as built): 6,299 cc
- Engine size (current): 6,299 cc
- Body style / type (as built): Torpedo (factory export configuration)
- Body style / type (current): Open two-seat Spider Corsa-style (interpretative reconstruction)
- Colour (as built): Unknown (export finish)
- Colour (current): Dark red (competition style)
- Interior colour (as built): Luxury touring trim
- Interior colour (current): Competition-style trim
- First completed: 1921–1922
- First delivered: Early 1920s
- First dealer / destination: Australia (Queensland)
- Original registration: Queensland (early records)
- Notes: One of 52 G1 chassis built; long Australian history; body reconstructed after discovery; multiple concours-level restorations; later converted to Spider Corsa form.
Registry: Alfa Romeo G1/Chassis Registry
Model context
[edit]The Alfa Romeo G1 (1921–1923) was Alfa Romeo’s first post-war large-capacity production model. Approximately 52 chassis (including prototypes) were constructed.
Powered by a 6,299 cc side-valve inline six-cylinder engine, it remains the largest-displacement production engine ever fitted to an Alfa Romeo automobile.
Due to limited domestic demand in post-war Italy, most G1 production was exported, primarily to Australia.
Ownership history
[edit]| No. | Owner | Location | Notes | From | To |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Queensland businessman | Queensland, Australia | Original owner; hidden during bankruptcy | Early 1920s | 1920s/30s |
| 2 | Farm custodians | Queensland, Australia | Used as farm vehicle; later engine used for water pump | 1930s/40s | 1964 |
| 3 | Ross Flewell-Smith | Winton, Queensland | Commenced 10-year restoration | c.1964 | 1995 |
| 4 | Julian Sterling | Melbourne, Australia | Commissioned comprehensive restoration | 1995 | Late 1990s |
| 5 | Neville Crichton | Australia | Further restoration; Pebble Beach 2005 entrant | 2000s | 2012 |
| 6 | Private collector | Southern California, USA | Converted to Spider Corsa-style configuration | 2012 | Present |
Registration history
[edit]| Registration | Location | From | To | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Queensland registration | Australia | Early 1920s | Mid-century | Early export use |
Competition history (period)
[edit]A stripped G1 variant reportedly won its production class at the Coppa del Garda.
No confirmed evidence that chassis 6018 itself competed in period European racing.
Appearances and non-competitive events
[edit]| Year | Event | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 1977 | Queensland Vintage Car Concours | Award winner |
| 1978 | Australian Mille Miglia Memorial Run | Participant |
| 1998 | Featured in Classic Car Yearbook | Editorial feature |
| 2005 | Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance | 3rd in class |
| 2010 | Alfa Romeo Centenary Tour (Australia) | Nationwide tour |
| 2012+ | Exhibited at Enzo Ferrari Museum, Modena | Display |
| 2014 | Arizona Concours d’Elegance | Entrant |
| 2014 | Amelia Island Concours | Entrant |
| 2014 | Mille Miglia Storica | Participant |
Restoration and mechanical history
[edit]- Rediscovered in Queensland in the 1960s.
- Original body no longer extant at time of recovery.
- 1960s–1970s: Extensive restoration by Ross Flewell-Smith.
* Replacement Torpedo-style body constructed with guidance from Luigi Fusi.
- 1995: Comprehensive restoration commissioned by Julian Sterling.
- 2000s: Further concours-level restoration under Neville Crichton.
- 2012+: Converted to Spider Corsa-style configuration inspired by early Alfa racing cars.
* Bodywork altered to open-wheel, two-seat racing style. * Painted darker red.
- Michelin commissioned reproduction tires from original molds during restoration.
Current configuration differs significantly from original touring Torpedo specification.
Technical specification
[edit]Alfa Romeo G1 specification:
- Inline six-cylinder side-valve engine
- Displacement: 6,299 cc
- Bore x stroke: 98 mm x 140 mm
- Output: approximately 70 bhp
- Torque: approx. 216 ft-lbs
- Four-speed manual gearbox
- Rear-wheel drive via open prop shaft
- Mechanical rear-wheel brakes
- Transmission brake
- Semi-elliptic front springs
- Twin quarter-elliptic rear springs
- Top speed approx. 138 km/h (86 mph)
Historical significance
[edit]Chassis 6018 is widely regarded as the sole surviving example of the Alfa Romeo G1 model.
It represents:
- Alfa Romeo’s first large post-war production luxury model
- The largest-displacement production engine fitted to an Alfa Romeo
- An important example of early Alfa Romeo export strategy
- A rare survivor of the marque’s formative commercial years
While extensively restored and later reconfigured, it remains a significant artifact of Alfa Romeo’s early history.
Notes
[edit]- Original coachwork by Schieppati no longer extant.
- Current Spider Corsa-style body is interpretative.
- Widely cited as the only surviving G1; no confirmed second example documented.
- Participated in multiple concours-level restorations over five decades.
Sources
[edit]- Auction catalogue description
- Australian restoration documentation
- Pebble Beach Concours records
- Mille Miglia Storica participation records