1948 Alfa Romeo 6C Competizione Coupe
Seller's description
This wonderfully rare Alfa Romeo 6C is one of just three cars of its type built by Alfa Romeo Corse. The first post-war competition model, chassis 920.002 is one of two surviving cars, which, following four years of hugely successful racing, was mothballed and left untouched for a staggering forty years as part of Michel Dovaz’s fabled ‘Sleeping Beauties’ collection.
Writing about the 6C 2500, Stefano Centanni, Coordinator of the International 6C 2500 Register, said ‘Immediately after the war, the 6C 2500 was reborn like a phoenix, consecrating its success through the development of some of its most beautiful and prestigious models intended for a select and elitist clientele.’ The 6C 2500 is universally considered to be the end of an era for the great Italian manufacturer, with many believing it to be the last great car that the marque produced. This particular example, with its ‘textbook’ racing history from the period, rarity and Pebble Beach Concours-winning restoration, is arguably the best example in existence today.
Originally delivered to well-known privateer racer, Franco Rol in May 1948, chassis 002 made four consecutive Mille Miglia appearances – from 1948-51 – and completed three Targa Florio runs – from 1949-51- where it enjoyed significant success across the board. This is the only car on record to have competed in four successive Mille Miglias from 1948 to 1951.
Despite a field that consisted of 303 participants, Rol and his co-driver managed an impressive third place overall in the 1948 edition of the Mille Miglia. At the Targa Florio, 002 placed second in the 1949 edition, third in the 1950 and fifth in 1951.
In 1954, 002 was acquired by journalist and wine expert Michel Dovaz; an avid collector of pre and post-war luxury cars. The collection was stored in an overrun garden in the South of France and the expression ‘Sleeping Beauties’ was coined by interested photographers and journalists, who documented the collection. In 1984, Dovaz’s friend persuaded him to restore the car in time for a retrospective running of the Mille Miglia. After this event, the car was briefly displayed at the Salon de la Voiture Ancienne Collection in Bordeaux before moving to the now-closed Musée de Sarlat.
In 1995, 002 headed to Germany where its new owner began a restoration programme. Sold before this restoration was finalised, collector Raoul San Giorgi completed the project in Milan, prior to showing the car at three major events in 2003: the Concourse Villa d’Este, The Louis Vuitton Classic, and the Concourse Paleis Het Loo. 002 was then acquired by a Mr. David Smith who shipped the Alfa to the US and commissioned a final and exceptional restoration, which brought the car to its current condition, based on its 1949 appearance. The car was subsequently awarded an impressive 100 point score in 2005 at Pebble Beach Concours.
002 is presented with a largely original hand-formed body. The restored nose is an identical match with that portrayed in period photographs, sporting a ribbed grille with an air inlet positioned below. With burgundy paintwork, the competition number ‘648’ has been painted in white across the hood and sloped rear, as homage to the car’s success at the1949 Mille Miglia.
The 2,443cc engine has a cast iron block, which is topped with a cast aluminium head that allows for two camshafts. Three Weber side-draft carburettors complete the unit, which produces 145hp; ample to power 002’s lightweight body with gusto. Start the engine and the throaty sound brings back the atmosphere of racing before modern day silencing regulations.
002 is fitted with a 5-speed manual transmission taken from an early Alfa Giulietta. With synchromesh and an extra gear, it makes the car more pleasurable to drive but the original 4-speed remains with the car. The interior of 002 has been sympathetically restored based on period styling, with new corduroy, although the instruments are still a pleasant mismatch of period-correct gauges fitted throughout the car’s rich history.
002 is presented for sale with an impressive collection of documentation, which includes a full ownership history, a raft of period photographs, race information, newspaper clippings, and an original Alfa booklet. The collection is presented in a leather Alfa-branded binder, which is accompanied by a book that details all editions of the Mille Miglia in detail. 002 recently took part in the 2015 edition of the Coppa D’Oro Delle Dolomiti and would be welcomed at all the best historic events, including, of course, the Mille Miglia.
Writing about the 6C 2500, Stefano Centanni, Coordinator of the International 6C 2500 Register, said ‘Immediately after the war, the 6C 2500 was reborn like a phoenix, consecrating its success through the development of some of its most beautiful and prestigious models intended for a select and elitist clientele.’ The 6C 2500 is universally considered to be the end of an era for the great Italian manufacturer, with many believing it to be the last great car that the marque produced. This particular example, with its ‘textbook’ racing history from the period, rarity and Pebble Beach Concours-winning restoration, is arguably the best example in existence today.
Originally delivered to well-known privateer racer, Franco Rol in May 1948, chassis 002 made four consecutive Mille Miglia appearances – from 1948-51 – and completed three Targa Florio runs – from 1949-51- where it enjoyed significant success across the board. This is the only car on record to have competed in four successive Mille Miglias from 1948 to 1951.
Despite a field that consisted of 303 participants, Rol and his co-driver managed an impressive third place overall in the 1948 edition of the Mille Miglia. At the Targa Florio, 002 placed second in the 1949 edition, third in the 1950 and fifth in 1951.
In 1954, 002 was acquired by journalist and wine expert Michel Dovaz; an avid collector of pre and post-war luxury cars. The collection was stored in an overrun garden in the South of France and the expression ‘Sleeping Beauties’ was coined by interested photographers and journalists, who documented the collection. In 1984, Dovaz’s friend persuaded him to restore the car in time for a retrospective running of the Mille Miglia. After this event, the car was briefly displayed at the Salon de la Voiture Ancienne Collection in Bordeaux before moving to the now-closed Musée de Sarlat.
In 1995, 002 headed to Germany where its new owner began a restoration programme. Sold before this restoration was finalised, collector Raoul San Giorgi completed the project in Milan, prior to showing the car at three major events in 2003: the Concourse Villa d’Este, The Louis Vuitton Classic, and the Concourse Paleis Het Loo. 002 was then acquired by a Mr. David Smith who shipped the Alfa to the US and commissioned a final and exceptional restoration, which brought the car to its current condition, based on its 1949 appearance. The car was subsequently awarded an impressive 100 point score in 2005 at Pebble Beach Concours.
002 is presented with a largely original hand-formed body. The restored nose is an identical match with that portrayed in period photographs, sporting a ribbed grille with an air inlet positioned below. With burgundy paintwork, the competition number ‘648’ has been painted in white across the hood and sloped rear, as homage to the car’s success at the1949 Mille Miglia.
The 2,443cc engine has a cast iron block, which is topped with a cast aluminium head that allows for two camshafts. Three Weber side-draft carburettors complete the unit, which produces 145hp; ample to power 002’s lightweight body with gusto. Start the engine and the throaty sound brings back the atmosphere of racing before modern day silencing regulations.
002 is fitted with a 5-speed manual transmission taken from an early Alfa Giulietta. With synchromesh and an extra gear, it makes the car more pleasurable to drive but the original 4-speed remains with the car. The interior of 002 has been sympathetically restored based on period styling, with new corduroy, although the instruments are still a pleasant mismatch of period-correct gauges fitted throughout the car’s rich history.
002 is presented for sale with an impressive collection of documentation, which includes a full ownership history, a raft of period photographs, race information, newspaper clippings, and an original Alfa booklet. The collection is presented in a leather Alfa-branded binder, which is accompanied by a book that details all editions of the Mille Miglia in detail. 002 recently took part in the 2015 edition of the Coppa D’Oro Delle Dolomiti and would be welcomed at all the best historic events, including, of course, the Mille Miglia.
Contact Fiskens for more details.
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