Alfa Romeo RL Sport (RLS) Tourer chassis 7639S

Alfa Romeo RL & RM chassis 7639S is a 1923 RL Sport (RLS), Third Series bodied by Built in Australia (exact coachbuilder unknown).

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.

Factory specification

Manufacturer: Alfa Romeo
Model: Alfa Romeo RL & RM
Variant / Type: RL Sport (RLS), Third Series
Year: 1923

Chassis number: 7639S
Engine number: 7639
Gearbox number: 4-speed manual
Body number: Australian-built tourer body
Coachbuilder: Built in Australia (exact coachbuilder unknown)

Engine size (as built): 2,994 cc
Engine size (current): 2,994 cc

Body style / type (as built): Supplied as rolling chassis with scuttle; locally bodied tourer
Body style / type (current): Four-seat tourer (Australian coachwork, restored)

Colour (as built): Unknown
Colour (current): Red with black wings

Interior colour (as built): Unknown
Interior colour (current): Black leather with black carpets

First completed: Late 1923 (Third Series production)
First delivered: January 1924 (imported to Australia)
First dealer / destination: Overseas Motors (Australia)
Original registration: JD7490

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

Registry: Alfa Romeo RL & RM/Chassis Registry

Ownership history

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	—

Registration history

Registration	Location	From	To	Notes
JD7490	Australia	1920s	—	Period Australian registration

Competition history (period)

No confirmed period competition participation documented for chassis 7639S.

Appearances and non-competitive events

Year	Event	Driver(s) / Exhibitor	Notes
1980 onward	York Motor Museum display	Lance Dixon Collection / Museum	Preserved as static exhibit

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.

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.

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.

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.

Sources

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