After serving as an engineer in the Italian Royal Air Force during World War II, Virgilio Conrero established himself as a leading engine builder and tuner after founding Autotecnica Conrero in the early 1950s. While Conrero was known primarily for his preparation of Alfa Romeo powerplants for various drivers and teams, his portfolio also extended to the construction of a limited number of full cars between the 1950s and early 1960s.
This example incorporates a steel tube frame…
After serving as an engineer in the Italian Royal Air Force during World War II, Virgilio Conrero established himself as a leading engine builder and tuner after founding Autotecnica Conrero in the early 1950s. While Conrero was known primarily for his preparation of Alfa Romeo powerplants for various drivers and teams, his portfolio also extended to the construction of a limited number of full cars between the 1950s and early 1960s.
This example incorporates a steel tube frame carrying alloy spyder-style coachwork that is finished in red. Various imperfections are noted in the finish, and a variation in shade is detectable between panels. Features include a headrest fairing with an integrated roll hoop, covered headlights, a hood scoop, a full-framed windshield, fixed side windows, body-color side mirrors, and leather straps to secure the hood and removable rear panel.
Silver-painted steel wheels are wrapped in 175/70SR15 Pirelli tires. Stopping is handled by hydraulic drum brakes, the rear units of which are mounted inboard. Suspension incorporates coilover shock absorbers at each corner with double wishbones up front and lower wishbones and radius rods at the rear.
The two-place cockpit houses a pair of fixed-back bucket sits trimmed in blue upholstery, which is also utilized for the shift boot and driver’s headrest. Additional features include a driver-side four-point harness, a front-braced black roll bar, drilled pedals, and an electrical cutoff switch.
The riveted wood-spoke steering wheel features a Conrero hub and sits ahead of a Jaeger 8,600-rpm tachometer, a coolant temperature gauge, and a combination gauge monitoring oil pressure, oil temperature, and fuel level. Marks on the combination gauge partially obscure the oil temperature reading. VDO temperature gauges are mounted underneath the passenger side of the dash. The car is not equipped with an odometer, and total mileage is unknown.
The Alfa Romeo DOHC inline-four is said to have been modified to displace 1,147cc. Induction is through a pair of dual-throat Weber carburetors, while ignition is handled by twin spark plugs at each cylinder. Service is said to have been performed by the selling dealer in 2020.
Power is sent to the rear wheels via a five-speed manual transmission. Four-into-two exhaust headers pass through the left-side rocker panel and exit via a single outlet ahead of the left-rear wheel.
The FIA historic passport lists the car as a Conrero Alfa Romeo 1150 Sport with chassis number 002, and FIA identification paperwork from 1992 that includes notes on the car’s history can be viewed in the photo gallery below.