1931 Alfa Romeo 6C 1750

Alfa Romeo was founded in 1910, and in 1923, Nicola Romeo hired Vittorio Jano, a talented engineer from rival Fiat. Sig. Romeo desired to build a successful Grand Prix car, and Sig. Jano had the technical and managerial expertise to ascertain this goal. After less than a year, the P2 was introduced, and it was an immediate success, winning several Grand Prix races and claiming the first manufacturer's championship for Alfa Romeo in 1925.

Jano supervised Alfa Romeo's Grand Prix racing program and designed its road cars. The latter were some of the most exciting of their era, quickly establishing the Milanese marque's reputation for producing sporting driver's cars. The P2 was followed by a production chassis with similar sporting potential. It was a series of six-cylinder (6C) cars built between 1927 and 1933 in various specifications. During this production lifespan, Alfa Romeo produced 3,514 examples of all types of the 6C. The rarest was the Super Sport and Gran Sport 1750, which was equipped with a straight-six engine, with twin overhead camshafts, hemispherical combustion chambers, and Roots-type superchargers. In total, three hundred and nine of these 6C 1750 Alfa Romeos were built, all wearing elegant custom bodies by the preeminent European carrozzerie. In both Gran Sport and Testa Fissa forms, 6C 1750s were victorious in nearly every major sports car race of the day, including the 24 Hours of Spa, Mille Miglia, Brooklands Double Twelve, and the Tourist Trophy Race.

Alfa Romeo introduced the 6C 1500 in 1925 at the Milan Motor Show and came equipped with a straight-six engine with a 1.5-liter (1,487cc) displacement size. Series production began in 1927 with early examples bodied by James Young and Touring. The engine had an aluminum block with a cast-iron head, a single carburetor, and single overhead camshafts, delivering 44 horsepower at 4,200 RPM. A dual overhead-camshaft version of the engine with 54 horsepower arrived in 1928 with the 6C Sport. The ultimate configuration was the Super Sport Testa Fissa with a single carburetor, a supercharger, and dual overhead camshafts, delivering 84 horsepower at 5,000 RPM.

The 6C 1750, arriving in 1929, was a logical derivative of the Tipo 6C 1500, itself a direct descendent of the P2. Powered by a 1,752cc engine, it was built in single-cam Turismo and twin-cam Sport (later renamed Gran Turismo) variants. The low and lightweight chassis used semi-elliptic springs that passed through the front axle. Most examples were sold as rolling chassis and bodied by coachbuilders such as Touring Superleggera and Zagato.

In motorsport competition during the 1929 season, the 6C was victorious in every major racing event it contested. It won at the Grand Prix of Belgium, Spain, Tuins and Monza. The Mille Miglia was won by Giuseppe Campari and Giulio Ramponi in a 6C 1750, and another example won the Ulster TT and the Brooklands Double Twelve. During the 1930 season, it again won the Mille Miglia and Spa 24 Hours.

by Dan Vaughan

Zagato Spyder by Zagato
Chassis number: 10814356
Engine number: 10814356

In 1927 the 1500cc single overhead cam six-cylinder engine was introduced to the Alfa Romeo stable, and over the next five years would undergo many modifications, updates, and improvements. The following year the engine had been given two overhead cams and an increase in power. By 1929, the displacement had been increased to 1752cc where it would remain through 1932. In total, fewer than 400 examples of the 67 1750 SS and GS cars were constructed.

The heroic capabilities of the engine were first seen in 1982 when Giuseppe Campari won the grueling Mille Milgia with the first of the 6C 1500 supercharged Zagato Spyders. From there, Alfa Romeo's domination in the sports car racing scene would continue to escalate. Campari would repeat his victory in the Mille Miglia in 1930, this time with a 6C 1750 Zagato Spyder driven in the 2000cc class. Pirola and Guidotti won their 1500cc class in a 6C 1500. Seven of the top ten places that year were Alfa Romeos.

Alfa Romeo's success in competition continued with their 8C 2300. In 1950 an Alfa Romeo Tipo 159 Zagato-bodied car won the first Grand Prix World Championship.

This 1931 Alfa Romeo 6C 1750 Zagato Spyder is equipped with the supercharged engine that provided 85 horsepower at 4400 rpm. It is from the fifth series of production and wears coachwork by Zagato. It was first registered on August 10th, 1931 in the village of Saint Varent in Southwest France to Baron Phillipe de Gunzbourg. It was given the registration number 493 XL1.

It is believed that Baron used this car in motor racing with several notable successes. On June 5th of 1932, he won the 2000cc class at the La Mothe Ste Heraye hill climb and another class victory on June 12th at the Pumoyen hill climb.

In 1933 the Baron co-drove an 8C 2300 Alfa Romeo to second place at the 24 Hours of LeMans with Luigi Chinetti.

de Gunzbourg owned this car until September 1935, when it was registered in the department of Basses Pyrenees with registration number 5906 NM2. On May 14th of 1940, ownership passed to the aircraft manufacturing company Hydravions F.B.A. of Argenteuil near Paris and registered 5922YC2.

On June 5th, 1944, the car was purchased by Victor Polledri, a friend of Luigi Chinetti. It was given the Paris registration number 3081RN4. The car would remain in his possession until the late 1960s when it was sold to M. Barriere who used it sparingly until his death. Upon his death, the car passed to his son. While in his son's care, the engine was rebuilt, and the Zagato coachwork was stripped to bare metal. Little was done after that; it was sold in the early 1980s to its last owner. The car has been stored in unrestored condition since that time.

In 2007 it was offered for sale at the Gooding & Company auction held in Pebble Beach, California, where it was estimated to sell for $900,000 - $1,200,000. An unmolested supercharged Alfa Romeo Zagato Spyder 6C 1750 rarely comes to market. As the gavel fell for the third and final time, the lot had been sold for the sum of $946,000, including the buyer's premium.

by Dan Vaughan

Zagato Spyder by Zagato

A Great Car for Competition, Then and Now

In 1929, the legendary Alfa Romeo engineer, Vittorio Jano, designed a supercharged, six-cylinder, sports racing car engine of 1750cc. The Sports models would use a light frame with this powerful 100-horsepower engine, creating a car of truly exceptional capabilities. It was common practice for Alfa Romeo to sell only the chassis, with a coachbuilder adding a body. Zagato and Touring provided the majority for Alfa. Zagato bodies were favored for racing as the Superleggera principle of applying aluminum body panels over a steel framework which saved weight, improving the performance. Of the 2,259 1750s built, only 257 were Gran Sports. Many great racing drivers successfully raced these cars, including Campari, Varzi, Nuvolari, and Zehender.

The Sport models would use a light frame with this powerful 100 bhp engine, creating a car of truly exceptional capabilities.

It was common practice for Alfa Romeo to sell only the chassis, with a coachbuilder adding a body. Zagato and Touring provided the majority for Alfa. Zagato bodies were favored for racing because the coachbuilder utilized the Superleggera principle for applying aluminum body panels over a steel framework. This saved substantial weight, improving the performance.

The definitive form of the 1750 was the Gran Sport, and this model was instrumental in making Alfa a dominant marque in 1930s racing, especially at LeMans and the legendary Mille Miglia. This car is from the fifth of six series. Of the 2,259 1750s, only 257 were Gran Sports. Many great racing drivers successfully campaigned these cars, including Campari, Varzi, Nuvolari, and Zehender.

This Gran Sport has finished the 1000 Mile Colorado Grand twice, was the oldest car to finish in the 2004 California Mille Miglia, and was most recently entered, with its female driver/navigator team, in the 2007 1000-mile Huron Mille Miglia.

Great for competition 'Then and Now', this Gran Sport is regularly raced by its female owner.

Gran Sport Spyder by Zagato
Chassis number: 10814313
Engine number: 10814313

The Alfa Romeo 6C 1750 was produced in six series from 1929 to 1933. A total of 2579 were built, of which about 360 were supercharged GS models. Most 6C 1750s were sold as rolling chassis and bodied by coachbuilders. Zagato was the mast of the Superleggera method of placing aluminum body panels over a small-gauge steel framework. The 6C 1750s gained an enviable reputation for speed and reliability and were entered in many races. Alfa Romeo's most famous victory came in the 1930 Mille Miglia when the 1750s took the first four places, catapulting the Italian sports car into the history books.

n 1930, the Super Sport name was updated to Grand Sport, and these cars featured an ingenious sloping radiator that not only gave the car a more rakish appearance but also increased the surface area of the radiator for improved cooling. The 6C 1750 Grand Sport Standard was equipped with the Roots supercharger, which developed an unprecedented 85 horsepower. Approximately 106 examples were produced.

In factory competition form, the 6C 1750 firmly thrust Alfa Romeo into the winner's circle. With five major victories in 1929 alone, including Giuseppe Campari's triumph at the Mille Miglia, the 6C 1750 took the top three places at the 1930 Tourist Trophy and the 1930 Mille Miglia.

Zagato Spyder by Zagato
Chassis number: 10814356
Engine number: 10814356

Often times it is our decisions in the midst of seeming impossibility that makes the difference. Two such important decisions would surround a seemingly innocuous 1931 Alfa Romeo 6C 1750.

The first of these important decisions would take place in 1923. Enzo Ferrari was a man with a vision, but getting others to believe in that vision, to even listen to it, were few and far between. What he needed was a trump card, that carrot he could dangle that no one would deny as proof his vision would come to pass. That trump card was Vittorio Jano. Unfortunately, Jano was already employed at FIAT. He knew Ferrari, but knowing the man from Modena was entirely different from believing in his vision for the future. Jano, however, would decide against the established notion and would leave FIAT to come to Alfa Romeo.

The carrot Ferrari dangled before Alfa Romeo and Jano was a racing program that would be greater than any other in Europe. It would be a grand vision, but both sides would buy into it, although it was Jano that put the argument over the top for Alfa Romeo.

The other important decision would take place more than a decade later when the German military was marching, at will, across Europe. Philippe de Gunzbourg was a young man with means. The de Gunzbourg family was a wealthy Jewish family originally from Russia. Philippe's grandfather, Horace, was into banking and property ownership. And, early in the 20th century, he would be presented with an opportunity to invest in a Dutch petroleum company by the name of Royal Dutch Shell. Along with the Rothschilds, Horace would invest in the company. The result would be that by the time Philippe came of age, he would have his choice of outlets as to where he would put his time and efforts.

It was the 1920s and 30s, it was a time of great adventure and intrigue. No longer did the affluent remain in the back, chauffeured around in immense limousines. The majority of the affluent youth would use the wealth available to them to live lives of adventure and discovery. Philippe would be no exception, but the wealth did not mean he was weak of will.

Gunzbourg would reject the elite social scene, the life of lavish parties and stuffy environments. Instead, he would be drawn in by the adventure of aviation and motor racing. If he wasn't pushing the limits in an airplane, he was skirting the ragged edge in some of the best motor racing cars of the period.

However, by the late 1930s, the German military was on the march. A world war was inevitable. Philippe was married with children. He had the means to escape and enjoy his wealth while being protected from the current events of the world. He would do this for his wife and children, but not for himself. Though he would purchase a home in France seemingly far out of the reach of the war, it would soon become apparent there was little escape from the battle of arms. Still, instead of fleeing, the Jewish boy would determine to make himself useful to the French arm of the Special Operations Executive, or, SOE. Disregarding safety for himself, Gunzbourg would work closely with the French Resistance and would barely avoid capture by the Nazis more than a couple of times over the course of the war.

When the war came to an end, his selfless act would be recognized. As a result of his efforts, De Gaulle himself would honor Gunzbourg having the town square of the village of Bergerac named after Philippe.

So these would be two examples where decisions in the midst of great danger or impossibility would have profound consequences. But what is even more incredible is that these two events would be connected by none other than a car.

Jano's first effort for Alfa Romeo would be the 6C 1500. This car would serve as a good basis for the future, but it was not the racing machine Ferrari envisioned. But Jano wasn't done; he was just getting started.

His follow-up to the 1500 would be the 1750, and this car would end up being a leap forward for Alfa Romeo and its racing aspirations. The 1750 would be practically identical to the 1500 with the exception of an engine with a larger displacement. The Sport model would be debuted after the first model of the 1750 would be unveiled. The Sport would have a shorter wheelbase and a supercharged engine producing nearly 100hp. When combined with the 6C chassis, Alfa Romeo would have the basis from which grand prix and sports cars would come for nearly the next decade.

While Alfa Romeo would build the chassis and the engine, coachbuilders like Zagato and Touring would be tasked with creating tidy bodies to sit atop the lightweight chassis. One of the most romantic examples, one of the most evocative, would be designed and built by Zagato.

Based in Milan, Zagato would get its start in automobiles and airplanes. Therefore, the company was already familiar with aerodynamic and tight designs and how they affected performance, and this was at a time when aerodynamics was still very much a new and under-investigated science.

One example of the 6C 1750 Zagato would have a hand in building would be 10814356. It would be this car that would connect the story of Ferrari, Jano, and Alfa Romeo with Gunzbourg and war-torn Europe.

Alfa Romeo would complete its work on the chassis in 1931. The chassis would be a fifth series Gran Sport Spider meaning it would have a supercharged 1750 cubic inch dual overhead cam, all-aluminum, engine. The place within the series in which 10814356 occupies also meant that when the chassis and engine made the trip to Zagato, it would receive the updated and more refined body.

The car would be completed and shipped to France in August 1931, where it would be united with its first owner—Philippe de Gunzbourg. Though 27 at the time, Gunzbourg was deeply motivated in his racing career. After having scored so impressive results in hill climbing events, he would turn his attention to sports car racing. In fact, Gunzbourg's name would pass down through Le Mans history as a result of his partnering with the legendary Luigi Chinetti in the 1933 24 Hours of Le Mans.

In spite of his relative inexperience, Gunzbourg would partner with Chinetti to finish an impressive 2nd with an Alfa Romeo 8C 2300. It is widely held that the 6C 1750 was his personal car that he used to get around Le Mans at the time of the historic race.

Although Gunzbourg would remain in Paris, even with the coming German military fast approaching, the Alfa Romeo 6C 1750 would actually be separated from him by 1935. That year, he would sell the car to a resident living in the region near the Pyrenees. The car would remain in this area until 1940, when it would again be sold and moved to Paris. It would actually be registered at that time to an aircraft manufacturer, Hydravions F.B.A.

Interestingly, the car would remain with its owner until June 5th, 1944, one day before the launch of Operation Overlord. At that time, another French racing driver would purchase the car. The driver was one Victor Polledry. He was a friend of Chinetti and would have an impressive racing career in his own right.

The 6C 1750 would remain with Polledry for a number of years and would actually remain housed at Montlhery right beside another 6C 1750 Super Sport. It wouldn't be until the late 1960s when Polledry parted with the Alfa Romeo. He would sell the car to Mr. Barriere, one of the designers of Courreges. When Barriere passed away the car passed to his son. While the possession of Barriere's son, the 6C would be stripped of its paint but would remain untouched from then on. By the late 1970s, the car was still without its original livery but very original inside and out.

Yet another French owner would come into the picture in the 1980s. The car would remain in a collection for around 20 years. Then, in 2007, the car would be purchased by a Texas collector. This owner would set about restoring the car to its original state. Gary Okoren of Golden, Colorado, would be commissioned to do the work. Alfa Romeo historians and specialists would be consulted throughout the whole endeavor. Nearly everything would be rebuilt. Everything else would be refurbished.

Once completed, 10814356 would be sold. In 2010, an East Coast collector would become the car's latest owner. Upon its arrival, the car would be immediately sent to Steven Babinsky for a complete restoration. Every detail would be looked after and it would all culminate with the car being refinished in black. The whole process would cost around $600,000 and would be fully documented the entire way. The work would take nearly two years. However, upon completion, the car would receive an invitation to the 2012 Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance.

In 2013, the car would be presented at the Amelia Island Concours where it would be awarded Best in Class. Almost immediately, the Alfa would be shipped across the Atlantic where it would then take part in the Mille Miglia. It would be a truly special moment when this piece of Italian automotive history passed along the streets lined with thousands of its passionate compatriots looking on.

All told, 10814356 is a very special link to two different but connected events in history. One of the most iconic of all pre-war Alfa Romeos, the 6C 1750 is certainly a remarkable line of automobiles with every one having its own special story. This particular example remains an evocative example of a time when two men by the name of Ferrari and Jano propelled Alfa Romeo into the stratosphere of everyone's subconscious.

Offered for sale at the 2014 Bonhams Scottsdale auction, 10814356 offered a rare opportunity to buy into Alfa Romeo history. Not surprisingly, the 1931 Alfa Romeo 6C 1750 would set a record for its model, garnering a final sale price of $3,080,000.

Sources:

'1930 Alfa Romeo 6C 1750 GS News, Pictures, Specifications and Information', (http://www.conceptcarz.com/). Retrieved 21 January 2014.

'Obituary: Baron Philippe de Gunzbourg', (http://judaisme.sdv.fr/). Retrieved 21 January 2014.

'Complete Archive of Luigi Chinetti', (http://www.racingsportscars.com) Retrieved 21 January 2014.

'Lot No. 130: 1931 Alfa Romeo 6C 1750 Supercharged Gran Sport Spider', (http://www.bonhams.com/auctions) Retrieved 21 January 2014.

'Alfa Romeo 6C 1750 GS Zagato Spider', (http://www.ultimatecarpage.com/). Retrieved 21 January 2014.

Wikipedia contributors, 'Philippe de Gunzbourg' Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia December 18, 2013, 5:34 p.m. UTC http://fr.wikipedia.org/) Accessed 21 January 2014

Wikipedia contributors, 'Zagato', Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia, 15 October 2013, 20:37 UTC, http://en.wikipedia.org/ accessed 21 January 2014

by Jeremy McMullen

Zagato Spyder by Zagato
Chassis number: 10814344

The 6C 1750 GS is one of the most important sports/racing cars from the early 1930s. The twin-cam supercharged engine, in combination with the short, lightweight chassis, provides a great-performing car - even by today's standards. This car sports a Zagato body and a six-cylinder engine rated 85 horsepower.

Zagato Spyder by Zagato
Chassis number: 10814368
Engine number: 10814368

This 1931 Alfa Romeo 6C 1750 Gran Sport Spider is a fifth-series car fitted with a supercharged dual overhead camshaft engine producing 85 horsepower. It has the streamlined, lightweight coachwork by Zagato and is fitted with four-wheel mechanical drum brakes.

Its very early ownership has been lost to history. In 1934 it was in the possession of Charles E.C. Martin. The next owner, also of the United Kingdom, was Johnny Spindler who used it in competition at the Prescott Hill climb in the early postwar years.

Near the close of the 1950s, the car was in the ownership of a U.S. Navy officer in Norfolk, Virginia. It was sold to Gene Cesari, who sold it to L. Scott Bailey, the founder, editor, and publisher of Automobile Quarterly. The next owner was a resident of Washington, Pennsylvania.

The next owner, in the late 1980s, entrusted Tony Merrick in England to perform a light mechanical and cosmetic restoration, which was completed in 1993. It was used sparingly after the restoration - until it was entered in the 1997 California Mille 1,000-mile run.

It was purchased in 1998 by another individual who enlisted David George to perform a thorough restoration. In 2003, it was purchased by the current owner, who spent an additional $100,000 on a complete engine rebuilt by expert Jim Stokes in England. It was then driven twice on the Mille Miglia Storica with great success.

The car is currently painted in an all-black livery with a matching black leather interior. It is in impeccable cosmetic and operational condition and one of the very few Pre-War Alfa Romeos still wearing its original Zagato coachwork.

In 2008, this Series V Alfa Romeo 6C 1750 was offered for sale at the Gooding & Company auction held in Pebble Beach, California, and was estimated to sell for $1,300,000 - $1,600,000. As the gavel fell for the third and final time, the lot had been sold for $1,320,000, including the buyer's premium.

As one of the most successful models of its period, the Alfa Romeo 6C 1750, along with its predecessor the 19500, embodied the functional simplicity typical of the 1930s Italian sports car. With its supercharged performance and elegant coachwork, the 1750 could be described as the ancestor of every GT car ever made. This late Series V model is one of the few 1750s still retaining its original Zagato coachwork. It was driven in competition by several British owners during the first half of its life. It arrived in the United States in the 1950s, and L. Scott Bailey, the founder of Automobile Quarterly, owned the car for a number of years. Now carefully preserved, it has been driven on many rallies in recent years.

In 2009, it was on display at the Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance.

by Dan Vaughan

Zagato Spyder by Zagato
Chassis number: 10814349
Engine number: 10814349

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.

Gran Sport Spyder by Zagato
Chassis number: 10814313
Engine number: 10814313

When Enzo Ferrari personally recruited the young engineer named Vittorio Jano in late 1923 FIAT, it marked a downturn for the Turin firm's fortunes and a coup de grace for Alfa Romeo. Jano's first project at Alfa Romeo was the new grand prix car, the P2, which was met with tremendous success and numerous victories. By 1926, Jano had succeeded Giuseppe Merosi as Alfa Romeo's head of design and was working on a touring car that was powered by a brand-new overhead-cam, 1.5-liter, inline six-cylinder engine. The 6C 1500 officially entered production in 1927, and the Sport Version, which followed a year later, was given a twin overhead cam that raised power by 10 horsepower. The Normale and Sport versions rested on a 114-inch wheelbase platform and were generally given saloon or four-seat tourer coachwork.

Alfa Romeo introduced their 6C 1500 Super Sport in 1929. With the help of the optional Roots supercharger, horsepower was increased to 76. During the two series of 6C 1500 production, which lasted until late 1929, only a small number of examples were produced. By this point, the displacement had been enlarged to 1752 cubic centimeters, resulting in the 6C 1750. The new 6C 1750 was produced in four more which were gradually improved over the next six years. During its production lifespan, nearly 2,600 examples were produced, many of which were equipped as the single-cam Turismo version (the replacement for the Normale) and were given Alfa's long 122-inch chassis. Produced in small numbers were the Sport models, which had a 114-inch chassis and were equipped with the twin-cam 1750 engine. Most of these cars were given Alfa saloon coachwork and were soon renamed Gran Turismo. The Super Sport examples had an even shorter platform, measuring 108 inches, and were available with finned alloy superchargers and intake manifolds. These cars were coach built to individual customer orders by coach-builders such as Castagna, Touring, and Zagato.

The Super Sport name was updated in 1930 to Gran Sport. These cars were given a sloping radiator that gave the vehicles a more rakish appearance and increased the surface area of the radiator for improved cooling. With the help of the Roots supercharger, horsepower power was rated at 85. In total, approximately 106 examples were produced before the introduction of the sixth and final series of cars in 1933.

This particular example is a 6C 1750 Gran Sport with Sport Spider coachwork by Zagato and chassis number 10814313. Factory records of the car were destroyed during World War II, but it is believed the car was constructed in March or April 1931. This example is the 13th of approximately 106 examples of the fifth-series 6C 1750 Grand Sport.

It is believed that the car was first registered in Switzerland in 1933. By the late 1940s, it was in the care of a student in Geneva named Lucien Dorier. In June of 1950, Mr. Dorier sold the car to Guido Arioli, who lived in nearby Tinizong. It is believed the car has spent most of its life in Switzerland. By the 2000s, it was owned by Peter Groh, who had commissioned a substantial restoration, which began in 2005. The work was completed in April 2009 with invoices totaling over 100,000 Swiss francs.

The current caretaker acquired the car in 2011 and had it imported to the United States. In 2012, it was shown at the Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance where it competed in the European Classic : Sports Racing Class.

Since it has come into the current caretaker's possession, it has been used sparingly.

by Dan Vaughan

Zagato Spyder by Zagato
Chassis number: 10814349
Engine number: 10814349

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.

Cabriolet by Castagna
Chassis number: 10914408

Originality is a quality that is often sought after with collector automobiles, and this Alfa Romeo 6C 1750GT still retains its original cabriolet body, which was fitted by Carrozzeria Castagna in 1931. It is believed that this vehicle was a gift to Tazio Nuvolari from the Alfa Romeo factory when new. Nuvolari was a very accomplished driver with a very successful racing career, with five European Championships for Alfa Romeo.

After World War II, the car was purchased by an American and brought to the United States. In the 1950s, it was purchased by Mr. Paul W. Hatmon of Independence, Missouri, who traded a Jaguar XK for the car. Mr. Earl Brown of Kentucky became the car's next caretaker in 1961. In the early 2000s, the car was sold to a collector in Italy. Since the acquisition, the car has been given a sympathetic restoration with the purpose of preserving the Alfa. The original green paint and a fragment of the lizard-patterned calfskin upholstery were used as a guide. The Castagna body number was found on various body panels and parts, another confirmation of the coachwork's originality. After the work was completed, the car was awarded 'Best of Show' at the 2009 Concours d'Elegance Trofeo Salvarola Terme, as well as the best pre-war car at the 2010 concours at San Pellegrino Terme and 'Best of Show' in the Pre-War Class at the Concorso d'Eleganza in Motion during the Vernasca Silver Flag in 2011.

Modern modifications made to the car include the electric cooling fan and a water temperature gauge. The car has a full set of tools, and documentation of the restoration process. Powering the car is a six-cylinder, dual overhead cam engine that offers 55 horsepower. There is a four-speed manual transmission and four-wheel drum brakes.

In 2012, the car was offered for sale at RM Auction's Monaco sale. The car carried a pre-auction estimated value of €325.000-€375.000. As bidding came to a close, the car had been sold for €336.000 inclusive of the buyer's premium.

by Dan Vaughan

Spider Corsa by Giuseppe Aprile
Chassis number: 10814331

This Alfa Romeo 6C 1750 Grand Sport was built and sold in 1931 and originally given a Zagato roadster body for its Turin-based owner. In 1938, it was purchased by Giuseppe Aprile from Savona. At this point in the car's history, its body had been damaged. Giuseppe Aprile, who was a Carrozzeria, purchased it with the intent of fitting it with a new of his own design and creation. The design of the new body was handled by Count Revelli de Beaumont. The result of his work was an aerodynamic car that had hints of its Alfa Romeo roots.

After the work was completed, the car was sold to its third owner, a local enthusiast, who kept it until 1956 in the Savona area. During the War, the car was hidden in order to keep it protected. The next caretaker owned the car until 2008, and during that time, it was seen in public on rare occasions.

The current owner acquired the car in 2008. Since that time, the car has been meticulously restored. The work took two years to complete. With help and collaboration from the Politecnico of Milano University, the exact shades of white and blue have been recreated. Upon completion, it made its first concours debut (and its restoration debut) at the 2012 Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance.

by Dan Vaughan

Zagato Spyder by Zagato
Chassis number: 6C 10814363
Engine number: 10814383

The powerful Alfa Romeo 6C 1750 was produced in six series between 1929 and 1933. Most of the cars were sold as rolling chassis and bodied by coachbuilders such as Zagato, Touring, and James Young.

The Gran Sport, introduced in 1931, benefited from Vittorio Jano's excellent engineering and design principles. It was an updated version of the 6C 1750 Super Sport from 1929 which had similar specifications. New to the Gran Sport was a shorter wheelbase that was reduced by 50mm and fitted with shorter rear leaf springs.

With its modified Roots supercharger, the 1750 Gran Sport was an invincible race car, one with ample torque for its small chassis.

In total, over 250 Gran Sports were produced, and they provided launch points for several firms, including Zagato, who bodied most of them, and Scuderia Ferrari, who bought and raced them.

This example has lived in Canada for over 50 years and has been in the hands of the current owner/collector for over 30 years. It has competed in the Historic Mille Miglia rally, where it finished as the top Canadian entry. It is a very authentic fourth-series supercharged 1750 that sports all of its original major mechanical components and iconic Zagato Spyder coachwork. It was also the first Canadian-owned and driven car to compete in the Mille Miglia commemorative rally in Italy, where it ran in 1989 and 1990, fittingly returning to the classic open road event for which it had originally been designed, and in which the 6C 1750 once reigned supreme.

Flying Star Spyder by Touring
Chassis number: 10814341

This famous Alfa Romeo 6C 1750 known as 'The Flying Star' was built specially by Carrozzeria Touring of Milan, Italy, for the 1931 Concorso d'Eeganza Villa d'Este, where it was first shown by model Josette Pozzo and won the Coppa d'Oro. The Flying Star was a great triumph for Touring. The overall shape of the car is similar to that of the standard competition Alfa coachwork but it differs in many details. The car has repeating polished aluminum accents throughout, including a defining line beginning at the front hood, running the full length of the body, integrating with the door hinge and continuing up and back to emphasize the rear end and fender. Three louvers on the hood echo this line, reaching back to the door and giving the impression of a comet's tail, likely inspiring the name of 'Flying Star.' The running boards curve harmoniously to form the fenders. The windshield is a one-piece wonder. And the all-white body, interior and steering wheel contrast beautifully with the black dashboard with metal accents and a brass shift knob elaborately engraved with the first owner's initials. In more recent years, the car won the Elegance in Motion Award at the 2005 Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance, the People's Choice Award at the 2007 Concorso d'Eleganza Villa d'Este, and Best of Show at the Hampton Court Concours d'Elegance.

Zagato Spyder by Zagato
Chassis number: 10814358

Gifted engineer Vittorio Jano joined Alfa Romeo in 1923 to work on the factory's racing program and design its road cars, such as the Tipo 6C 1500 and 6C 1750. The 1750 amassed countless wins at races in Europe, including 1-2-3 finishes in the Mille Miglia, the Targa Florio, the Tourist Trophy, and the Spa 24 Hours in 1930.

This Spider was bodied by Carrozzeria Zagato in 1931 for its first owner Gustav Eismann of Switzerland. It was later bought by another Swiss national, Aldo Minoretti, who drive it at the Elren Grand Prix in 1948. In 1959, the Alfa was purchased by Robert Hamil of California and in 1962 by Grant White of Salt Lake City, who owned it for 41 years. Its current owner acquired it in 2017 and has driven it in the Mille Miglia and on the Colorado Grand. Known for its originality, the Alfa retains its mechanical components, bodywork and trim from new.

Berlinetta Aerodinamica GT by Touring
Chassis number: 10914569
Engine number: 10914569

Just three or four Alfa Romeo 6C 1750s were created with this special Berlinetta Aerodinamica GT coachwork by Carrozzeria Touring - and this particular 6C is thought to be the only example remaining. In a process that predated and presaged the Superleggera construction for which Touring became known, a light and silent body was constructed by wrapping waterproof panels around a frame. In addition to its special coachwork, the car's sporting history stands out. Alfa initially sold this 6C to Alfa Corse's Chief Engineer, Giannangelo Sperti, who entered it in the 1933 Mille Miglia as a privateer and finished first in his closed car class and 17th overall - without a compressor. The car has been lovingly cared for and sparingly driven over the years and remains in good condition. It has been in the hands of its current owner since 2018.

Gran Sport Spyder by Zagato
Chassis number: 10814311
Engine number: 10814311

This 1931 Alfa Romeo 6C 1750 Series V Gran Sport wears coachwork by Zagato and is powered by a 1,750cc DOHC inline 6-cylinder engine with a Roots-type supercharger and single Memini Twin-Throat carburetor delivering 85 horsepower at 4,400 RPM. There is a four-speed manual gearbox and four-wheel mechanically operated drum brakes. It was issued its Certificato d'Origine on March 18th, 1931, and is the 11th of the Series V cars built. It was sold new on March 20th to privateer racer Sergio Rusca of Milan.

This Alfa Romeo, like many that bore a similar name, was quickly entered into competition. Rusca and co-driver Giovanni Minozzi drove the Alfa in the 1931 Mille Miglia where it wore race number 151 and finished 13th overall. Alfa Romeo was well represented in the race as twelve of the top fifteen finishers were from the marque, and ten of those were 6C 1750s.

Rusca later raced the Alfa Romeo in a race at the Circuito Tre Province in September, where it finished 3rd overall.

The car remained with Rusca for a short period of time as it was sold in October of 1931 to another privateer named Giovanni Restelli of Como, Italy. While in his care, the car was raced by Restelli and co-driver Pieri to a 17th-place finish at the 1932 Mille Miglia. Restelli placed 1st Overall at the Bellagio Guello in June and 4th in Class that July at the Gaisbergrennen in Austria.

The Alfa Romeo passed through several Italian owners before it was acquired by Giacomina Vonwiller of Austria in 1935. It remained in Austria until around 1966, when it was purchased by Bill Pollock of Pottstown, Pennsylvania. It then passed to John Mozart of Palo Alto, California, in 1983, who owned it for four years. Subsequent owners included Tom Price and Tom Armstrong. The current caretaker acquired the vehicle through Mark Leonard of Grand Prix Classics in 2003. It was then sent to Ivan Zaremba at Phil Reilly & Company for an engine overhaul and the replacement of the Series VI gearbox with a correct Series V case.

In 2005, the current owner and his father brought the car to the Mille Miglia Storica in 2005, and he was invited back in 2008 as part of the official Squadra Alfa Romeo Automobilismo Storico. The other two cars were owned by the Alfa Romeo Museum. At the event, this car placed 5th overall. It went on to win the 1000 Millas Sport in Patagonia, Argentina, in 2005, 2008, and 2015, garnering podium positions in other years.

In 2016, the car returned to Phil Reilly & Company for a body-off cosmetic restoration. It was determined during the restoration that the body was highly original, and only the fenders and running boards are believed to have been replaced. Since the completion of the cosmetic restoration, the Alfa has been used sparingly.

by Dan Vaughan

Gran Turismo Compressore Series V by Touring
Chassis number: 6C101014859
Engine number: 101014949

The Alfa Romeo 6C 1750 Gran Turismo Compressore (GTC) was produced in 1931 and 1932, and combined a detuned version of the 6C Gran Sport's 1,752-cubic-centimeter supercharged engine with a long-wheelbase chassis. The suspension was comprised of semi-elliptic springs and adjustable shock absorbers, and large brakes provided the stopping power. The axles and gearbox were derived from the 8C. Among the list of coachbuilders were Zagato, Touring, and Castagna, among others. Two examples received lightweight bodies and competed in the 1932 Mille Miglia, with one placing fourth overall and winning the closed-car production class.

Alfa Romeo produced 66 examples of the GTC in 1931, and this particular example is the third-to-last built (based on its chassis number). It wears a two-door Coupé Royal body with seating for four and coachwork by Carrozzeria Touring. Its styling was modern and aerodynamic, with a domed roof, sloping trunk, and streamlined fenders.

The car's history is known from 1983 forward, when Ugo Isgró of Silea, Treviso, Italy, acquired it from an individual from Turin. At the time, the car was in very poor condition and was devoid of an engine. Mr. Isgró enlisted Dino Cognolato at Carrozzeria Nova Rinascente in Vigonza, Padua, to have the body restored. The work included the reconstruction of the sloping rear trunk and restoring the overlapping running boards and front fenders to the correct specification. When the work was completed in 1984, it wore a yellow and black livery.

In 1985, the car was sold to Umberto Genovese who commissioned Bonfanti Garage in Bassano del Grappa, Vicenza, to restore all the mechanicals to full factory specification. The mechanical work was overseen by Gigi Bonfanti, including sourcing and installing a correct, supercharged, 1,752-cubic-centimeter inline, six-cylinder engine.

The Alfa Romeo would remain in Genovese's collection for the next three decades. The current custodian acquired the Alfa in 2015. Prior to its importation to the United States in late 2016, Bonfanti Garage recommissioned various components, including the clutch and radiator.

by Dan Vaughan

The Alfa Romeo 6C 2500 was introduced near the end of the 1930's. The 6C name was derived from the engine size, an inline-six while the 2500 represented the engine's cubic-centimeter displacement size.

The engine was a version of Vittorio Jano designed a six-cylinder engine. The 6C was available in a plethora of body styles and wheelbases and was produced during two different times in history. Most of the coachwork was handled by Touring of Italy or by Pinin Farina. The body styles ranged from coupes and convertible to a four-seater salon. In 1939 Alfa Romeo introduced the SS version, a short-wheelbase model, dubbed 'SS' for Super Sport, that had a high-compression 6C engine rated at 105 horsepower. It was the top-of-the-line 6C model that married style and performance together to create the perfect road-going vehicle.

World War II had interrupted production for many automobile manufacturers. During this time many switched their efforts to support the war, such as building engines for marine and aircraft or by producing vehicles that were suitable for wartime. When Alfa Romeo resumed production, their vehicles were similar to those they had offered in 1939. The main difference was that Alfa Romeo now bodied the cars themselves rather than providing the rolling chassis for custom coachbuilders to body. The designs had become standard but they were still based on sketches and designs produced by coachbuilders such as Pinin Farina and Touring. Pinin Farina built exclusive bodies such as the Cabriolet. These vehicles were elegant and stylish and had a price tag that matched. Touring built the Coupes which became known as the Villa d'Este in 1949 after winning the famous Concours d'Elegance Villa d'Este. When outfitted with the Superleggera, meaning lightweight, bodies were capable of speeds in excess of 100 mph.

The engines were similar to the Jano designed six-cylinder power plant, capable of producing 110 horsepower. Independent suspension was installed to soften the ride while improving performance and handling characteristics. A four-speed manual transmission was similar to the one used prior to the onset of the war.

The history of the Alfa Romeo 6C 2500 automobiles are extensive. The various designs and body-styles matched with their mechanical capabilities make this one of the finest Alfa Romeos ever produced.

by Dan Vaughan