Topic: Solved NIC#602 - Satta Special based on 1955 Alfa Romeo 1900

[nicanary]

What is this car?

[Allan L]

Not only the car but the driver will be solved before my chance comes - nicely done mate!

[nicanary]

Not only the car but the driver will be solved before my chance comes - nicely done mate!

I didn't bother to hide the massive clue, there didn't seem any point. Let's see how long it lasts.

[Mogul]

Some kind of Alfa race replica?

[nicanary]

Some kind of Alfa race replica?

Personally I wouldn't call it a replica. It's more like an "homage" to a previous Alfa racer. You're on the right track.

[Mogul]

Build in Europ?

[nicanary]

Build in Europ?

No.

[nicanary]

Experts?

[Iluvatar]

Hearne Satta Special?

By Peter Bruin from New Zealand based on an Alfa 1900

[Iluvatar]

Hearne Satta Special?

By Peter Bruin from New Zealand based on an Alfa 1900

What I understand is that Bruin built the chassis, while John Hearne is the author of the body, is it right?

[nicanary]

Hearne Satta Special?

By Peter Bruin from New Zealand based on an Alfa 1900

What I understand is that Bruin built the chassis, while John Hearne is the author of the body, is it right?

That's correct, and you win the point.

It was a project started by Peter Bruin in New Zealand but not finished following his death, and William Hearne completed the car. As you say, it is based on an Alfa Romeo 1900 engine, and was named after Orazio Satta who was an Alfa engineer on the 159 and 1900 cars.

It is obviously styled to look like one of the 158/159 GP cars, but thankfully is not an exact copy. I really do not care for people who make machine room copies - it confuses less knowledgeable people like me!

[Allan L]

And that's John (or William) Hearne driving it!

[nicanary]

And that's John (or William) Hearne driving it!

He's copied your "look", Allan.

[Allan L]

And that's John (or William) Hearne driving it!

He's copied your "look", Allan.

Ah, but I now sport a full, but shorter beard - sadly of the same colour.

[William Hearne.]

The history is not quite correct. The late Peter Bruin never owned the car however I commissioned him to build it for me in 2000. The idea came from the late Ron Roycroft and the car was built using the parts from a car that his wife Betty once owned [they had a 1900 each]. All the components came from that one 1955 Alfa Romeo 1900. I named it the 'Satta Special' due to the fact that Satta designed both the 1900 and also did the final development on the Alfetta race car. I purchased the monoposto body originally and had Peter Bruin build a period style tubular frame inside that. It is based on an Alfetta however I never made any attempt to copy that car and hence named it the Satta Special. I have not had the use from it that I thought I would in the seventeen years that I have owned it and as I am now in my late 70's I intend to offer it to a new keeper next year. It is a great car to drive and is quite practical as 1900 components are available. I have run it at both Shelsley Walsh and Prescott and also took it to Goodwood. My email is: williamhearne19@yahoo.com  I am attaching another image of the car taken from the rear for your interest.