1949 Alfa Romeo 6C 2500 SS Coupe

The 6C 2500 was Alfa's first new post-war car and used the same basic running gear as the pre-war models but with the addition of a column-mounted gear shift and more modern aerodynamic styling. Introduced in 1947, the new model was also the last Alfa Romeo to be delivered as a bare chassis to be bodied by the best carrozzeria of the post-war period.

This 6C 2500 SS Touring Coupe is a fixed-head Berlinetta coupe with Superleggera coachwork by Touring and fitted with the 110 horsepower, 2443cc six-cylinder Super Sport engine with dual overhead camshafts and triple Weber carburetors. The Super Sport was not just a touring car, it was also very successful in racing, highlighted by an overall win in the 1950 Targa Florio.

The Alfa Romeo 6C 2500 was introduced in 1939 and served as a replacement for the 6C 2300B. It had an increased bore of 72mm, resulting in a 2443cc six-cylinder engine. The 6C 2500 would be Alfa Romeo's first road-going car capable of reaching speeds of 100 miles per hour. In keeping with Alfa Romeo's tradition, there were several levels of performance available, starting with the 87-horsepower Turismo, moving up to the 110-horsepower Super Sport or SS, and culminating in the track-ready Tipo 256 with 120 horsepower.

The 6C 2500 was Alfa Romeo's first post-ware project, and it carried the same basic running gear as the pre-war models. It would be the final Alfa to use a separate body-on-frame construction. Four body styles were offered, with bodies from Pinin Farina, Stabilimenti Farina, Touring, and Boneschi.

This Alfa Romeo 6C 2500 Super Sport Coupe is one of just 413 examples built during a production run that began in 1947 and ended in 1951. It wore Superleggera, meaning super light, coachwork by Touring of Milan.

The current owner purchased the car in March 2005 from a German collector. Upon acquisition, the car was sent to a UK Alfa Romeo Specialist for a complete evaluation and mechanical rebuild. The car wears older black exterior paint with black painted center-lock wire wheels. Upon completion, it was imported to the United States.

In 2009, this 6C 2500 Super Sport Coupe was offered for sale at the Automobiles of Arizona auction presented by RM Auctions. The car was expected to sell for $225,000 - $275,000. As bidding came to a close the lot had been sold for the sum of $198,000 including buyer's premium.

By Daniel Vaughan | Apr 2009