Abandoned car graveyard unearths ultra-rare one-in-88 luxury vehicle – it was really worth $250,000

AN exceptionally rare sports car, hidden away in a garage for over 40 years, has been uncovered – and is now heading to auction.

An Alfa Romeo 1900C Cabriolet, featuring coachwork by the renowned Italian design firm Pininfarina, is one of only 88 ever produced.

Jam Press/Gullwing Motor Cars

An ultra rare classic car has been discovered hidden away in a garage[/caption]

Jam Press/Gullwing Motor Cars

An Alfa Romeo 1900C Cabriolet, featuring coachwork by Italian design firm Pininfarina, is one of just 88[/caption]

Jam Press/Gullwing Motor Cars

It had been left gathering dust in a garage in New Hampshire since 1983[/caption]

Jam Press/Gullwing Motor Cars

Now it’s available to buy at an auction and could sell for a huge price[/caption]

Jam Press/Gullwing Motor Cars

The car was originally bought in Germany but was shipped over to the US in the 1960s[/caption]

Left untouched since 1983, the car is now being offered to buyers for the first time in over half a century.

According to Luxury Auto News, the sports car – which is numbered Chassis 01063 – has been owned by the same family for some 56 years, after it was imported to New Hampshire from Germany in the 1960s.

It’s believed to retain its original Tipo 1308 engine – a highly sought-after feature for collectors in the know.

The car’s early history is well documented, according to the listing, as it was first owned by US Army Sergeant Leroy Bell Jr., who was stationed in Darmstadt, Germany.

But in 1964, he sold the car to Barbara Urbielonis, a teacher at a local school with 90,000 kilometers already clocked on its odometer.

Barbara brought the Alfa Romeo back to the US in 1966, where it was seldom driven before being parked up in her garage in 1983.

Today, the car shows 98,615 kilometers and remains largely original – which includes its stunning off-white bodywork and red interior upholstery.

The rare roadster still retains its original “US Forces in Germany” registration plate, as well as a set of New Hampshire vanity plates and a matching keychain tag.

While the car does require a full restoration, its key components, trim and documentation – which includes insurance papers, registration forms and repair receipts – are all intact.

A spokesperson for the auction house said: “This is a remarkable discovery – an unrestored, coachbuilt Alfa Romeo with unmatched provenance and timeless design.

“It presents a rare opportunity for collectors to return one of Pininfarina’s finest creations to its former glory.”

The Alfa Romeo 1900C Cabriolet is expected to generate huge interest from wealthy gearheads when it goes to auction later this year.

The report suggests the price range for this car sits between $250,000 and $350,000, although this largely depends on its condition and originality.

Recent auctions have recorded sales ranging from approximately $96,250 to as high as $550,000.

This comes as an iconic classic car that combines the luxury and exclusivity associated with Rolls-Royce with the practicality and affordability of the Volkswagen Beetle can now be yours.

The little-known ‘Rollswagen’ was met with outrage when it was showcased at the 1969 Los Angeles International Auto Show, but today is considered a hotly sought after curiosity among enthusiasts.

But now, the Rollswagen is set to be auctioned by RM Sotheby’s in Monterey, with an estimated value of $150,000 to $200,000 – making it a contender for one of the most expensive Beetles ever sold.

Its blend of history, luxury and celebrity connections certainly makes the Rollswagen a truly remarkable piece of automotive history – and something a collector would long to own.