1933 Alfa Romeo 6C 1750 Gran Sport Cabriolet

The Alfa Romeo Company began as 'Anonima Lombardo Fabbrica Automobili' at Milan in 1910. In 1915, industrialist Nicola Romeo took over, and cars built after World War I was given the Alfa Romeo name. In 1920, Enzo Ferrari became a test engineer and driver, later forming his own Scuderia to race Alfa Romeo cars. The early mechanical genius at Alfa Romeo was engineer Vittorio Jano who left Fiat in 1923 and would become responsible for Alfa Romeo's successful line of potent power plants for years to come. He developed the 150cc single OHC six, followed by DOHC versions in both 1500 and 1750cc displacement. The most potent of the 1750 series was the supercharged Gran Sport.

This 1933 Alfa Romeo 6C 17500 Gran Sport wears coachwork by Carrozzeria C. Castagna & Co of Milan, Italy. The company was formed by Carlo Castagna in 1906. He was a skilled and gifted businessman who had a talented son, designer Ercole. Ercole's younger brother, Emilio, became chief designer in the 1920s. His specialty was close-coupled cabriolets which he built for such legendary marques as Isotta-Fraschini, Alfa Romeo, Fiat, Bianchi, Lancia, Mercedes-Benz, and OM.

This vehicle, chassis number 121215037, was once owned by Major Kyle Mouey in England. In 1975 it was exported to Australia and completely restored by The Automobilists of Melbourne in 1986. It was given the traditional Alfa Romeo red color at that time; prior, it had been painted cream with black highlights. With the rebuilt engine, the car was entered in two events of the Targa Tasmania. The third owner, Mrs. Diana Gaze, continued its racing pedigree and did so with much success.

Since 1997, the car has been a showpiece in a Brazilian collection. Recently, it has been given new interior carpets and leather upholstery.

In 2008, the car was offered for sale at the 'Quail Lodge, A Sale of Exceptional Motorcars and Automobilia' presented by Bonhams Auction. It was estimated to sell for $800,000 - $1,000,000. At the conclusion of the auction, the car had not sold.

By Daniel Vaughan | Dec 2008