1939 Alfa Romeo 6C

“One of the finest pre-war Alfa Romeo builds we have ever had the pleasure of discovering”

The Alfa Romeo chassis #915010 is believed to have originally belonged to a 2500 Super Sport with a coupé body by Touring, which was rediscovered in the late 1980s by Corrado Cupellini. A renowned Italian collector, racing driver and enthusiast of historic sports cars, originally from Bergamo, a hunter of lost treasures and an unrivalled dealer, he has also recently published a book recounting his finest discoveries, *SuperFinds*, in which our Alfa features.

When it was discovered, the worn-out ‘Pur-Sang’ was being used at a horse racing track in Italy to give the flying start for horse races. Corrado Cupellini, recognising the potential of this Super Sport chassis with a 2.70 m wheelbase, decided to restore the car to its former glory. He fitted it with the #823915 inline-six engine with twin overhead camshafts, taken from a 1937 6C 2300 B Pescara – one of the finest pre-war production engines. He then entrusted the running chassis – strangely fitted with the central X-shaped cross members characteristic of Super Sport chassis from 1942 onwards – to his coachbuilder in Bergamo, who fitted it with a Spider body inspired by the authentic ex-Bianchetti 2500 racing car, which he owned at the time, before selling it to the United States.

The result? A sublime Alfa Spider – balanced, elegant and sporty – a true testament to the talent of Italian coachbuilders, and a high-performance car thanks to its short chassis, magnificent running gear and prestigious engine. This car was subsequently sold in France and became part of the collection of the Seydoux brothers and their friend and partner Edgar Bensoussan. Jérôme Seydoux and Bernard Reignier took the wheel for the Mille Miglia Storico in 1991; bearing the number 65, the car was entered under the name ‘1938 Alfa Romeo 2300 B MM’.

Jérôme Seydoux remained particularly attached to this Alfa, the only one that enabled him to finish the Mille Miglia, and kept it for over 25 years before it was sold at auction (April 2018) and became part of what is now one of the finest collections in Europe.

Despite its history, its appeal, its styling and its beautiful patina, this Alfa Romeo – which had seen very little use over the past 10 years – quickly showed signs of engine trouble, with a damaged cylinder head. The engine was therefore completely stripped down and remains today in pieces, on a pallet, next to the car. This incredible Alfa is now waiting for an enthusiast who will be able to bring it back to life and enjoy its beauty and performance. With such an attractive estimate, it could be you…