And here it is, remarkably, another T10 van, also known as Autotutto or Romeo II. Today, we’re showcasing one that requires more care compared to the one we featured two days ago, but naturally, it’s also less expensive.
“Remarkably” because these particular vans, which have now reached price levels comparable to the more expensive Volkswagen Typ 2, rarely appear for sale. Seeing two of them on the market at the same time, especially one needing restoration like this, has become increasingly uncommon.
Unlike the previously featured model, this example is equipped with a two-stroke diesel engine powered by a SPICA mechanical injection system. This van is said to be complete, albeit partially disassembled, as it appears to be the “victim” of an unfinished restoration. The bodywork seems to be in good condition, but the state of the mechanical components is unknown. However, given the price, there seems to be sufficient margin to carry out the necessary work. Find it for sale at €37,000 (today $39,000) here in Parma, Italy.
Classic Virus 
A note about the original color: according to Centro Documentazione Alfa Romeo certificate shown in the ad the van was sold to Ministero Interno (Internal Affairs Department), DG PS = Direzione Generale Pubblica Sicurezza (head office for national “public safety” guards, the national police) painted in “amaranto” color.
After WWII the road patrol (Milizia della strada = M.d.S., later Polizia Stradale) cars, mainly Jeeps left by the Allied Forces, belonging to the same Internal Affairs department, had a dark red livery called “Vinaccia” M.d.S. (literally red grape pomace, a sort of burgundy, amaranth), still present in Lechler vintage vehicles color catalog (8066 – MIL A 9).
The same color was adopted at the beginning of the fifties for the new Fiat Campagnola and Alfa Romeo Matta, both named AR 51 (scout car 1951), as well for some Fiat 1400 and Giuliettas, while the Alfa Romeo 1900 TI were black, hence the nickname “panther”.
In the late Fifties the national police introduced the fern green livery for the new cars, progressively adopted also on older vehicles, until 1976 when the color changed to the still present light blue and white.
The engine, a two stroke Diesel with volumetric, not turbo, overcharger, is certified as being the original one: its serial number matches the records recovered in Alfa Romeo archives.
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