When most people think of Alfa Romeo, it brings to mind an Italian marque with a reputation for producing sweet little cars with a sporting focus. However, there was a time when the company turned its hand to developing an effective off-roader for the country’s military. They diversified into a civilian version, but the production life for both was extremely short. This 1954 Alfa Romeo 1900 M “Matta” is one of those vehicles, and it presents well following a total restoration. It is a turnkey proposition, and I must say a big thank you to Barn Finder Mitchell G. for spotting the Matta listed here on eBay in Southampton, New York. The seller set their BIN at $50,000 with the option to make an offer.

Many post-war European nations followed their own path to vehicle development, especially those that were earmarked for military use. Italy was no exception, with Alfa Romeo handed the task of developing an off-roader that offered similar capabilities to the Jeep. The result was the 1900 M, referred to colloquially as the “Matta.” Two versions would eventually leave the factory. Those designated with Model Number AR 51 were exclusively for military service, while the AR 52 was lightly revised for civilian buyers. The Matta proved an early hit with the country’s armed forces, although it only saw service for a short period between 1951 and 1954 before being replaced by a similar vehicle from Fiat. This 1954 Matta is the civilian version that was restored in its home country before finding its way to North America. Its dazzling Red paint holds a nice shine, and the panels are free from significant bumps and bruises. Although it is a civilian vehicle, there is an almost complete absence of bright trim, but the windshield looks excellent. I eagerly scrolled through the seller’s images, dreading the prospect of having a look at the vehicle’s underside. It sports a layer of dry surface corrosion, but none of the penetrating rust that seems almost inevitable from an Alfa. Having said that, I would probably treat the corrosion to prevent deterioration, because there is no point in tempting fate.

Where the Matta stands apart from most similar vehicles of this era hides below the surface. It derives its power from an 1,884cc twin-cam four, linked to a four-speed manual transmission and a dual-range transfer case. The twin-cam was an unusual choice, especially since these engines tend to be quite “peaky” in their power and torque delivery. However, with 64hp and 90 ft/lbs of torque at the driver’s disposal, the relatively light Alfa offered buyers very respectable performance. Another unusual feature was the front end, with Alfa ignoring the traditional beam axle for independent front suspension. It proved a wise move, providing better grip and drive potential in rough environments. The downside was that it wasn’t as robust as a beam, which is why the replacement from Fiat didn’t follow that path. The seller indicates that this Matta’s engine received a rebuild by marque specialist Alberto Dell’Orto. The Alfa is in excellent health, ready to provide the buyer with plenty of summer fun.

As was the case with most off-roaders from this period, the Matta’s interior offered a motoring experience at its most basic. Everything was designed to withstand an onslaught of mud and water, with the seats trimmed in vinyl, plenty of painted steel, and no carpet on the floors. This interior looks tidy, with the seats free from wear and the gauges featuring clear lenses and crisp markings. All of the appropriate stickers and instruction plaques are present, and I can’t spot any aftermarket additions.

The Alfa Romeo 1900 M Matta showed promise as a military vehicle, but its place was soon taken by the Fiat Campagnola, which featured a less complex mechanical configuration and was produced with a diesel engine. Production ended after 2,007 examples of the military version were built. However, it is civilian versions like our featured Matta that are the automotive unicorn, because only 154 of those rolled off the line. There are no clear indications of how many survive, but scrolling through the archives confirms that this is the first that we have seen at Barn Finds. That makes placing a value on this one virtually impossible, although some older sales results suggest that the seller’s BIN figure could be realistic. Therefore, if you crave an off-roader that is out of the ordinary, maybe this is the classic for you.