Sold | 1955 Alfa Romeo AR 51 'Matta

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£21,000

1955 Alfa Romeo AR 51 'Matta

United Kingdom • 30 Mar 2026 • Lot N/S

Vehicle Details

AI Listing Summary

This 1955 Alfa Romeo AR 51 'Matta' is a rare, restored military vehicle with a fascinating history, boasting a rebuilt engine, gearbox, and numerous new or refurbished parts. Despite its solid condition and recent restoration, potential buyers should note its heavy clutch, non-power steering, and brakes that require ample anticipation.

Condition

7

The car is described as being in overall solid condition with slight wear visible. The bodywork is straight and free of any dinks, dents or damage. The interior is spartan and functional, with some originality preserved. The engine bay is in first-class condition. However, there are a couple of holes in the passenger-side seat cover, and the brakes are described as needing to be applied well in advance. Overall, the car appears to be in very good condition, but some reconditioning may be required.

/ 10

Transmission:

Manual

Chassis No:

AR5101693

Odometer:

19,013 miles

Reg Number:

844 XWF

RHD/LHD:

LHD

Thankfully for us, the vendor has described his journey to restore this vanishingly rare vehicle to Auto Italia magazine, in whose March 2026 edition - which comes with the car - you will find an in-depth write-up of the 5-year project.

He believes that this ‘Matta’ was still on active service in some branch of the Italian military until the early 1970s, although the car came with no military records to definitively determine that.

The vendor is the former owner of an engineering company and is no stranger to restoring classic vehicles.

He tracked down and bought this AR51 in Italy.

He was relieved to find that the ladder chassis was absolutely sound, solid and free of rot.

He was rather less relieved to discover the scale and nature of the restoration work that would unfold over the next 5 years, a period during which he says the AR51 “kicked and fought all the way” .

He was helped immensely by being able to call upon the advice, knowledge and expertise of Enrico Checchinato, wh...