
Win a Premium Subscription to VeloceToday if you can who can tell us exactly when and where this photo was taken, and prove it. Photo by Jerry Lehrer.
By Pete Vack
Alfa Romeo 2.9 S/N 412014 Halley’s Comet
Frank Cantanzariti, he of the above placard, was reportedly in the electronics business and lived on Partridge Rd, Cornwall-On-Hudson, Newburgh, New York, about 40 miles north of New York City. Very little is known about him today, and though his business and life may have been exemplary, his main claim to fame via the internet may be that for one shining year circa 1952, Mr. Cantanazariti owned this fabulous Alfa 2.9. Furthermore, he had it on display at the 1952 or 1953 New York Auto show, where it was photographed by Jerry Lehrer. Mr. Cantanzariti put about a 1000 miles on the car, making a grand total of 16000 miles before selling it to Mike Garber via Zumbachs’ in New York.



1936 Alfa 2.9A Coupe, S/N 412004 began life with a ‘botticello’ body (meaning cask or barrel-like), and won the 1936 Mille Miglia. In 1939 it was rebodied as a striking convertible by Pininfarina, and after the war converted into a coupe by a coachbuilder named Martin.