ALCA - Volpe - NO RESERVE - 1947
Opens 11:00
Starting bid
€ 1
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Expert
Selected by Arjan Rietveld
Thirty years' experience with classic cars, specialising in Italian cars and Porsche.
Estimate € 35,000 - € 45,000
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Description from the seller
IN RISALTO
- Perizia Garanzia Conformità Federperiti
- one of about 10 survivors
- completely restored in the past
- Italian microcar with load-bearing body and fascinating history
STORIA/PANORAMICA
The story of the ALCA Volpe is one of the most curious and controversial episodes in post-war Italian motoring. Designed to motorize Italy, it quickly became a sensational fraud. Unveiled in March 1947 in Rome, the Volpe was produced by ALCA (Anonima Lombarda Cabotaggio Aereo), a Milan-based company. It was designed as a microcar, a precursor to the “bubble car,” intended to be an ultra-economical alternative to the Fiat Topolino with interesting technical solutions such as the load-bearing body. The engine project was the work of Ing. Colombo, who would soon power all post-war Ferraris through the 1950s and 1960s, and whose story is told in his autobiographical book.
The Volpe was heavily promoted, taking orders for thousands of units and even entered for the 1947 Mille Miglia. However, in 1948 the company was accused of fraudulent bankruptcy. The executives disappeared with about 300 million lire collected as deposits from customers, without delivering nearly any car. It is estimated that only a very few units were assembled (perhaps ten, some say fewer), later recovered by Piacenza scrappers and some powered with Vespa or Rumi engines of the era.
This exemplar has been fully restored and subsequently kept in a private collection.
EXTERIOR
The bodywork is solid and complete and in good condition, previously restored. A polishing and detailing treatment has just been completed.
The undercarriage is well preserved and solid, restored.
INTERIOR
The minimalist interior has been completely restored. Equipped with the rare convertible roof frame.
MECHANICS
Mechanically the car has a Vespa engine code VM1M, functioning and dated 1952-1953, but the car is not drivable.
TRANSPORT
The seller can arrange home delivery in Italy and Europe. Contact for a quote.
BUY NOW: You can secure the lot without waiting! Have doubts? Contact the seller for assistance.
DOCUMENTATION
Perizia Garanzia Conformità Federperiti
Sales invoice
CRS Certificate of Historical Relevance with ongoing process, outcome pending
SERVICES - All vehicles are our property and we do not engage in consignment sales. We provide
consultation and support for foreign registration even through our trusted agencies.
------------------
WARRANTY - We sell exclusively vehicles guaranteed to 100% conformity and
Certificates: each vehicle is sold with a Certificate of Conformity issued by Federperiti,
an Italian independent authority recognized internationally. Each vehicle is
inspected in person to guarantee the buyer the conformity of photos, description and
overall condition of the car.
Some videos of the car, engine and driving may be available; ask Catawiki.
The seller handles the transfer of ownership remotely or the documents for export. Assistance with shipping in Italy, Europe and worldwide at favorable prices. You can also pick up the car in person.
You are welcome in our showroom to meet us and see the vehicle before the auction ends, even with your mechanic or via a WhatsApp video call, write to Catawiki for an appointment.
Follow our NO RESERVE classic car auctions on Catawiki
Seller's Story
Since 2000, we have specialized in Collector Cars. For six consecutive years (2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024, and 2025), we have been awarded the 'Catawiki Certificate of Excellence' as the best seller, becoming the top seller in the category: each car is independently inspected in person by certified Federperiti experts for maximum transparency and accuracy in our Reserve Auctions. Customer support via email, WhatsApp, and phone is always available during and after the auction to ensure assistance with documents, ownership transfers, export, and delivery. For more information, visit Netclassic.it.
Subscribe to stay updated with our mailing list.
Translated by Google TranslateIN RISALTO
- Perizia Garanzia Conformità Federperiti
- one of about 10 survivors
- completely restored in the past
- Italian microcar with load-bearing body and fascinating history
STORIA/PANORAMICA
The story of the ALCA Volpe is one of the most curious and controversial episodes in post-war Italian motoring. Designed to motorize Italy, it quickly became a sensational fraud. Unveiled in March 1947 in Rome, the Volpe was produced by ALCA (Anonima Lombarda Cabotaggio Aereo), a Milan-based company. It was designed as a microcar, a precursor to the “bubble car,” intended to be an ultra-economical alternative to the Fiat Topolino with interesting technical solutions such as the load-bearing body. The engine project was the work of Ing. Colombo, who would soon power all post-war Ferraris through the 1950s and 1960s, and whose story is told in his autobiographical book.
The Volpe was heavily promoted, taking orders for thousands of units and even entered for the 1947 Mille Miglia. However, in 1948 the company was accused of fraudulent bankruptcy. The executives disappeared with about 300 million lire collected as deposits from customers, without delivering nearly any car. It is estimated that only a very few units were assembled (perhaps ten, some say fewer), later recovered by Piacenza scrappers and some powered with Vespa or Rumi engines of the era.
This exemplar has been fully restored and subsequently kept in a private collection.
EXTERIOR
The bodywork is solid and complete and in good condition, previously restored. A polishing and detailing treatment has just been completed.
The undercarriage is well preserved and solid, restored.
INTERIOR
The minimalist interior has been completely restored. Equipped with the rare convertible roof frame.
MECHANICS
Mechanically the car has a Vespa engine code VM1M, functioning and dated 1952-1953, but the car is not drivable.
TRANSPORT
The seller can arrange home delivery in Italy and Europe. Contact for a quote.
BUY NOW: You can secure the lot without waiting! Have doubts? Contact the seller for assistance.
DOCUMENTATION
Perizia Garanzia Conformità Federperiti
Sales invoice
CRS Certificate of Historical Relevance with ongoing process, outcome pending
SERVICES - All vehicles are our property and we do not engage in consignment sales. We provide
consultation and support for foreign registration even through our trusted agencies.
------------------
WARRANTY - We sell exclusively vehicles guaranteed to 100% conformity and
Certificates: each vehicle is sold with a Certificate of Conformity issued by Federperiti,
an Italian independent authority recognized internationally. Each vehicle is
inspected in person to guarantee the buyer the conformity of photos, description and
overall condition of the car.
Some videos of the car, engine and driving may be available; ask Catawiki.
The seller handles the transfer of ownership remotely or the documents for export. Assistance with shipping in Italy, Europe and worldwide at favorable prices. You can also pick up the car in person.
You are welcome in our showroom to meet us and see the vehicle before the auction ends, even with your mechanic or via a WhatsApp video call, write to Catawiki for an appointment.
Follow our NO RESERVE classic car auctions on Catawiki
Seller's Story
Since 2000, we have specialized in Collector Cars. For six consecutive years (2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024, and 2025), we have been awarded the 'Catawiki Certificate of Excellence' as the best seller, becoming the top seller in the category: each car is independently inspected in person by certified Federperiti experts for maximum transparency and accuracy in our Reserve Auctions. Customer support via email, WhatsApp, and phone is always available during and after the auction to ensure assistance with documents, ownership transfers, export, and delivery. For more information, visit Netclassic.it.
Subscribe to stay updated with our mailing list.
Translated by Google TranslateDetails
Brand
ALCA
Model type
Volpe - NO RESERVE
Year
1947
Located in
Italy
Mileage reading
1 km
Registration papers
without registration papers
Transmission
Manual
Fuel
Petrol
Colour
Red
Horse power
6
Cubic capacity
124
Matching numbers
Unknown
Matching colours
Yes
Service book/history
No
Valid MOT
No
CoC (Certificate of Conformity) present
No
Certificate available
Yes
Engine number
VM1M
Condition (Paint & body)
Very Good: minor chips or scratches, minor conventional body and paintwork
Condition (Interior)
Very Good: clean, showing minimal wear. May require replacement of minor missing or broken parts
Condition (Frame & underbody)
Very Good: frame/structure is in a well preserved condition, minor signs of usage/wear
Condition (Mechanical)
Good: mechanically sound. May require maintenance and repair
Condition (Overall)
Very good condition: minimal signs of wear
Sold by
Disclaimer
Catawiki always aims to offer you the best possible buying experience. Our experts virtually review and select every vehicle in line with our submission guidelines and we require our sellers to provide the most accurate description of the vehicle. However, providing a fully detailed analysis of the vehicle is extremely difficult, and close to impossible. To guide you, we ask our sellers to provide information about the vehicle’s condition. Please consider that most vehicles for sale are classic vehicles and they often already have a whole life behind them, meaning that even a condition 1 or 2 vehicle might need maintenance to be ready for the road. It is advised to carefully read our submission guidelines that further describe details about the condition grades and types to manage your expectations. Cars are sold “as is”, meaning as described and in the condition they are in at the time of the sale and without any representation, warranty or assumption of liability of any kind as to the condition by Catawiki or by the seller. The condition of this item is the opinion of the seller and may differ from yours, your local garage, or the dealer’s opinion. This does not automatically mean the car does not conform to its description. Before bidding, please check your local legislation regarding vehicle registration. Neither the seller nor Catawiki is responsible for the registration of the vehicle in your country and will not accept a cancellation for your failure to register the vehicle. We also recommend that, if possible, you arrange a viewing with the seller before placing a bid.
Catawiki always aims to offer you the best possible buying experience. Our experts virtually review and select every vehicle in line with our submission guidelines and we require our sellers to provide the most accurate description of the vehicle. However, providing a fully detailed analysis of the vehicle is extremely difficult, and close to impossible. To guide you, we ask our sellers to provide information about the vehicle’s condition. Please consider that most vehicles for sale are classic vehicles and they often already have a whole life behind them, meaning that even a condition 1 or 2 vehicle might need maintenance to be ready for the road. It is advised to carefully read our submission guidelines that further describe details about the condition grades and types to manage your expectations. Cars are sold “as is”, meaning as described and in the condition they are in at the time of the sale and without any representation, warranty or assumption of liability of any kind as to the condition by Catawiki or by the seller. The condition of this item is the opinion of the seller and may differ from yours, your local garage, or the dealer’s opinion. This does not automatically mean the car does not conform to its description. Before bidding, please check your local legislation regarding vehicle registration. Neither the seller nor Catawiki is responsible for the registration of the vehicle in your country and will not accept a cancellation for your failure to register the vehicle. We also recommend that, if possible, you arrange a viewing with the seller before placing a bid.
