1938 Alfa Romeo 6C 2300B Mille Miglia Superleggera Coupe

A total of 107 examples of the 6C 2300B Mille Miglia were built with the majority fitted with either Spider or Berlinetta coachwork by Touring of Milan. This Touring-bodied Berlinetta left the Portello works in April 1938 with its first known (recorded) owner being Herr Hoffer of Geneva in 1946. In 1953, it was sold to Jean-Louis Fatio, also of Geneva. At the time, the car wore a 'light greyish green' exterior with 'red leather interior.' While in Monsieur Fatio's custodianship, the car was resprayed dark blue. In 1957, the car was sold to fellow Geneva resident Michel Dovaz, who would re-register this Alfa Romeo in France in August 1958 and retained it for the next three decades.

In 1990, the car came into the care of Dutch Alfa Romeo collector and dealer Douwe Heida who treated it to a much-needed restoration. It was returned to its original color scheme (as could best be determined) of light blue. Ownership later passed to Belgian Alfa Romeo aficionado and Pebble Beach judge Raoul San Giorgi in 1997 and sold it two years later to Dutch collector Paul Koot. After four years, the car was sold to David Smith of America. A second comprehensive restoration soon commenced which included the body removed from the Superleggera tubing and sympathetically restored prior to refitment to the frame. The work took two years to complete and upon completion, it wore a black color scheme with a dark green leather interior.

While with Mr. Smith, the car was given an Alfa Romeo Giulietta Sprint Veloce-sourced five-speed gearbox with a BMW clutch assembly to improve its touring capability. (The correct-type Alfa Romeo Gearbox (number 843047) remains with the vehicle).

It has the correct bumpers, stamped '2087', which correspond to this chassis - number 815053. The car was fitted with period-correct Carello head- and taillights, along with proper Bosch driving lights. It has its original Bosch ignition key, a prewar Pirrelli key fob and the original brass 1938 Automobile Club d'Italia tax stamp. It has genuine Alfa Romeo-brand rear shocks and NOS Triple-Carb Solex carburetors found only on the Alfa Romeo Mille Miglia cars.

The car rides on aluminum Borrani wire wheels - a period option - has hydraulic brakes, swing axles and torsion-bar suspension.

In 2007, the car was awarded a Best in Class award at the Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance. It won a CCCA Senior Badge at the Nationals in Bellevue, Washington in January of 2008.

When the car was sold in early 2008, it entered the Oscar Davis Collection. In 2009, it won the Pre-war Sports Car class at the Amelia Island Concours d'Elegance.

By Daniel Vaughan | Mar 2009

The front engine, rear wheel drive 6C derives its name from its six-cylinder engine. This 2300 Series was the 4th generation, produced from 1934 to 1939. This Mille Miglia model was designed by Vittorio Jano. The 2.3-liter, naturally aspirated, overhead valve, and 6-cylinder engine makes 105 horsepower with a top speed of 90 mph.

In the 1930s, Alfa Romeo produced some of the greatest cars ever made, like the 6C 2300. Originally introduced in 1934 with a 60 horsepower Dual Overhead Cam straight 6, tuned versions soon followed with 76 horsepower, followed by a short wheelbase 95 horsepower model. The next development model B featured a newly designed chassis, with individual front suspension, rear swing axle, and hydraulic brakes.

The ultimate version was this Mille Miglia model, with just 107 built on the short chassis in 1938 and 1939. The car was fitted with period-correct Carello head and taillights, along with proper Bosch driving lights. It has its original Bosch ignition key, a prewar Pirelli key fob and the original brass 1938 Automobile Club dItalia tax stamp. It has genuine Alfa Romeo-brand rear shocks and NOS Triple-Carb Solex carburetors found only on the Alfa Romeo Mille Miglia cars.

This example was the ultimate 'barn find.' It was purchased in 1956 by a reclusive Swiss collector and shorted at his chateau - untouched for the next 34 years before being sold. It became known as the 'Sleeping Beauty' and underwent an extensive and detailed restoration in the 1990s.