1931 Alfa Romeo 6C 1750 Zagato Spyder

This Alfa Romeo was built in 1931 and was in Switzerland from 1934 until 1959. Chassis repairs suggest the car was wrecked comprehensively, probably in Switzerland, and it's safe to say that at some time the car was raced. While there is no record of this car racing, the Supercharged 6C 1750 Grand Sport Alfas dominated sports car racing from 1929 to 1930.

This Zagato-bodied two-seater spider is typical of the model. A total of 369 Super Sport and Grand Sport 6C 1750s were built. It is powered by a water-cooled, double-overhead-cam, 6-cylinder, 1752 cc, engine coupled to a 4-speed manual transmission. The engine produces 85 horsepower, and the supercharged version is capable of 90 mph. The chassis consisted of channel-steel and front and rear suspension by semi-elliptic leaf springs with 4-wheel drum brakes.

The current owner purchased the car in 1993, and a three-year restoration was completed in 1996. Since the restoration, the car has been driven 1,800 miles just for the fun of driving it, according to the owner.

The Alfa marque was founded in 1910, and in 1923 Nicola Romeo hired Vittorio Jano from rival Fiat. In less than a year, Sig. Jano unveiled the P2 Grand Prix car that was an immediate success. It was a masterpiece of automotive design that won several Grand Prix victories and claimed the first manufacturer's championship for Alfa Rome in 1925.

Next, Sig. Jano began work on a production chassis with sporting potential. What resulted was the six-cylinder (6C) that was built between 1927 and 1933 in various specifications. During the production lifespan of the 6C, a total of 3,514 examples were built. The rarest specifications were the short-chassis Super Sport and Grand Sport 1750, which featured twin overhead camshafts, hemispherical combustion chambers, and Roots-Type superchargers. Just 309 of these 6C 1750 Alfa Romeos were built.

Alfa Romeo built the chassis, while the bodies were built and installed by a variety of coachbuilders, including Castagna, Pininfarina, Touring, James Young and Zagato. The Gran Sport was the most powerful of the 1750 variations. The cars were driven in competition by private owners as well as by factory drivers.

The 1,752cc six-cylinder motor featured dual overhead camshafts and developed 85 horsepower thanks to the optional supercharger. Not surprisingly, the 6C was a regular winner on the European racing circuit. Their list of victories includes the Mille Miglia, 24 Hours of Spa, Brooklands Double Twelve, and the Tourist Trophy Race.

This Alfa Romeo received Best in Show at the 2003 Glenmoor Gathering. It was also an award winner at the Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance and the Louis Vuitton Classic.

It was built for the 1931 model year, and its history traces back to February 23rd, 1934, when it was imported into Switzerland. It was in Swiss ownership from at least 1947 through 1959. During this time, its original body was damaged and repaired at one point, leaving only the original substructure and some interior panels intact.

Around 1960, this Alfa Romeo was acquired by Jean de Dobbeleer or Brussels, Belgium. A short time later, it was sold to Gene Cesari and exported to the United States, where it eventually landed on the lot of a Cadillac and Rolls-Royce dealer in St. Louis, Missouri. From here, it was purchased by Vivian Krespi of Princeton, New Jersey. In 1966, it was purchased directly from Ms. Krespi by its current caretaker. Over the next two decades, the Alfa Romeo saw little use.

In 1993, after an initial restoration had taken place but not to the owner's high standards, another restoration began. The work took three years of concentrated effort. Two complete and original Zagato-bodied 6C 1750 Gran Sports were used as references to re-create the coachwork. The chassis was carefully restored, the engine was completely rebuilt and the entire process was documented.

After the work was completed, it was unveiled at the 1996 Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance, where it earned Best in Class and the Strother MacMinn Award for the Most Elegant Sports Car. The car went on to capture a Best in Class at the Amelia Island Concours d'Elegance and a perfect 100-point score at the CCCA National Meet. At the Louis Vuitton Classic at Rockefeller Center in 1997 it won Best of Show from a field of 48 significant classics and sports cars.