Alfa Romeo RL Sport chassis (unknown)

Alfa Romeo RL & RM chassis Unknown is a 1922 RL Sport (RLS) bodied by Unknown (plate reading “Virginio Perucci – Palermo”).

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

Factory specification

Manufacturer: Alfa Romeo
Model: Alfa Romeo RL & RM
Variant / Type: RL Sport (RLS)
Year: 1922

Chassis number: Unknown
Engine number: Unknown
Gearbox number: Unknown
Body number: Unknown
Coachbuilder: Unknown (plate reading “Virginio Perucci – Palermo”)

Engine size (as built): 2,994 cc
Engine size (current): 2,994 cc (rebuilt; components renewed)

Body style / type (as built): Sporting touring body (exact factory style unknown)
Body style / type (current): Two-seater competition-style body (as discovered in Argentina)

Colour (as built): Unknown
Colour (current): Unknown

Interior colour (as built): Unknown
Interior colour (current): Unknown

First completed: 1922
First delivered: Unknown
First dealer / destination: Unknown
Original registration: Unknown

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

Registry: Alfa Romeo RL & RM/Chassis Registry

Ownership history

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)

Registration history

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

Competition history (period)

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

Appearances and non-competitive events

Year	Event	Driver(s) / Exhibitor	Notes
1994	Feature article in The Automobile magazine	UK owner	April 1994 edition, following restoration

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.

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.

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).

Sources

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