This One-Off Coachbuilt Alfa Romeo From 1995 Is Heading To Auction

It’s not a surprise to see a one-of-one coach-built Italian sports car come up for auction, though usually when it happens, it’s the work of a Bertone or Pininfarina from the ‘50s or ‘60s. Less often do we see something from 1995, making this Alfa Romeo a peculiar one.

Hiding an Alfa 75 under its skin, the Castagna Vittoria was the work of Carrozzeria Castagana, and the first of a relaunch of the Milan-based firm that originally ceased operations in 1954. Unfamiliar with its previous work? Its back-catalogue includes the Benz quadricycle, and trimming the passenger cabins of the Orient Express.

A complete reworking of the 75’s bodywork gives it more of a resemblance to the SZ of the time, though even more dramatic - just take a look at that huge one-piece grille for example. The side profile has a sense of Bugatti Veyron before the Veyron itself existed thanks to its C-shaped doorline, too.

It was properly hand-built with aluminium panels hammered over the steel frame of the car, too, just as coachbuilding was commonly done when it was more prevalent early in the 20th century. The interior was completely retrimmed with pretty eye-catching green suede plus some new wood trimmings.

Though intended to showcase what Carrozzeria Castagna could do with the design of a car, Castagna Vittoria remained a functioning concept. The 75’s Busso 3.0-litre V6 remains, producing 252bhp, and still paired up to a five-speed manual gearbox.

Improvements were made to the suspension with the addition of Koni shock absorbers, while uprated Brembo discs improved upon the 75’s braking performance.

Car & Classic will be auctioning the Alfa Romeo Castagna Vittoria prototype online, running from 15-22 November, and it’s expected to fetch up to £135k. Worth noting it’s rarer than a new 33 Stradale and significantly cheaper…