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

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Alfa Romeo RL Sport chassis 7087

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Alfa Romeo RL & RM chassis 7087 is a 1923 RL Sport (shortened to Targa Florio specification in period) bodied by Argentine coachbuilder (exact builder unknown).

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.

Factory specification

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  • Engine size (as built): 2,994 cc
  • Engine size (current): 2,994 cc (matching numbers)
  • Body style / type (as built): Sport (likely Argentine-built two-seater)
  • Body style / type (current): Sport two-seater (period modified; preserved)
  • Colour (as built): Unknown
  • Colour (current): Preserved “oily rag” condition
  • Interior colour (as built): Period sporting trim
  • Interior colour (current): Preserved original components where possible
  • First completed: 1923
  • First delivered: 03/01/1924
  • First dealer / destination: Buenos Aires, Argentina
  • Original registration: Argentina (early records under Caru/Zanardi)
  • Notes: Possibly oldest surviving RL; delivered new to Argentina; extensive documented period racing; shortened to TF specification in 1924; largely matching-number drivetrain.

Registry: Alfa Romeo RL & RM/Chassis Registry

Ownership history

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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

Registration history

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Registration Location From To Notes
Argentine registration (period) Buenos Aires 1924 1940s Used primarily for racing purposes

Competition history (period)

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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.

Appearances and non-competitive events

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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

Restoration and mechanical history

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  • 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.

Technical specification

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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.

Historical significance

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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.

Notes

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  • 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.

Sources

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