1939 Alfa Romeo 6C 2500 Sport Touring Berlinetta

Alfa Romeo introduced the 6C 2500 in 1938, and it served as a successor to the 6C 2300. Continuing to build upon the '6C' dynasty, the 6C 2500 with engineering by Vittorio Jano, would remain in production until 1952.

Changes to the sports car racing regulations enacted in 1939 brought an end to Alfa's supercharged racers and ushered in the new Sport Nationale formula shifting emphasis to normally aspirated, production-based sports cars. Alfa Romeo's answer was the newly enlarged 2.5-liter DOHC inline six-cylinder engine coupled with light, aerodynamic Touring alloy bodywork.

Just five examples of the 3,000mm wheelbase chassis were built for the 6C 2500, and this example is number one. It wears Berlinetta coachwork by Carrozzeria Touring, which was formally known as Touring design number 1137. A few examples, including 915.005, were given triple carburetors and dubbed as 'SS' models.

915.005 was exported from Italy to Canada by Elmer Leigh. Mr. Leigh later moved to Colorado during the 1960s and brought the Alfa with him. It was road-registered and plated (TU 8183) in Colorado. From circa 1979 to 1980, it was stored in Mr. Leigh's garage. At the time, it had approximately 44,000 kilometers on its odometer. Photographs of the period show the body appearing in bare metal, worn and in need of restoration.

It was later sold to Steve Tillack in the 1980s, who, in 1987, offered the car for sale on consignment and advertised it in the UK's Classic & Sports Car magazine for $75,000. Mr. Tillack eventually sold the Alfa to Holland. In 2006, it was sold to a new owner via the Deventer Car Museum of Holland. In 2011 it was given a total restoration by the Restoration Division of Carrozzeria Touring Superleggera S.r.l., in Milan, the successor company to the original Carrozzeria Touring coachbuilding firm established by Carlo Felice Bianchi Anderloni.

The car was exhibited 'under restoration' at the first edition of Milano Autoclassica held in February 2012. It was next shown in February 2013 at the world-famous Retromobile show in Paris, this time with the body painted and fully finished and with the glass, lights, bumpers, and brightwork all fitted.

By Daniel Vaughan | Sep 2017