1930 Alfa Romeo 6C 1750 Series III Super Sport Spider

Few automobiles more perfectly encapsulate the golden age of Alfa Romeo competition than the 6C 1750. Conceived by Vittorio Jano and introduced in 1929, the lightweight, twin-cam, six-cylinder model achieved instant international acclaim, securing victories at the 1000 Miglia, Targa Florio, and Spa. The short-chassis Super Sport and Gran Sport variants combined advanced engineering, lithe handling, and elegant coachwork, establishing the very blueprint of the modern sports car and securing Alfa Romeo’s place as the premier sporting marque of the early 1930s. To its credit, and rarely for these cars, chassis 0312957 has a traceable history from new, much of it recorded by the late Angela Cherrett. Its chassis number is listed on period road registration records in Italy with the plate “36436 MI,” where it is described as “da corsa 2 posti” – two-seater racing. Between its registration as new on September 16, 1930, and 1933, the car changed hands three times, usually reverting to factory ownership between sales. Its first caretaker was Luca Alessio in 1932, followed by Francesco Cherubini and then Adolfo Carminati. The car’s final transaction in Italy was to James Street, care of the Reale Automobile Club d’Italia (RACI) in Milan, to whom it was registered on December 15, 1933. Mr. Street appears responsible for the Alfa’s import to the UK, where it was put on the road with the plate “AUU 594,” a number issued to Londonregistered cars only between November 1933 and January 1934. Next, Mr. Noakes owned the car before it passed to noted British actor James Robertson Justice. Mr. Robertson Justice was evidently a discerning automobile enthusiast, as he is known to have owned both a Mercedes-Benz Gullwing and the famed Roland Garros Bugatti “Black Bess.” North London car dealer Jack Bond – whose Vintage Autos advertisements in Motor Sport carried an array of important automobiles for sale during the 1950s and 1960s – offered the Alfa in the November 1952 issue. His advertisement described it as a “supercharged Grand Sport 2 Seater by Zagato” and noted the following: “The engine completely overhauled at a cost of over GBP200 and has only 150 miles use since. Brand new hood (top) has just been fitted and the whole car resprayed Alfa-red...this Alfa is the late property of a well-known film star.” The buyer by this time was Mr. Simmons, who next sold it to Roy Slater, the respected authority on Alfa Romeo, who contributed to numerous books on the marque. Circa 1960, Mr. Slater sold the Alfa to Hamish Moffat, who proudly displayed the car at a vintage sporting gathering at the Jack O’Lantern pub in the 1960s. By then, the license plate had been replaced with the appropriate number “AR 1750.” Mr. Moffat is understood to have restored the car and elected to panel over the rear deck lid during this work. After Mr. Moffat’s ownership, the car was exported to the US, becoming the property of Ed Mayne. It was owned for some time by William “Bill” Jacobs of Chicago, another noted collector, before passing to Bob Fergus, whose impressive stable included a Ferrari 250 Testa Rossa and Bugatti 57SC. It is believed that the car was restored again in the late 1980s, at which time it received the concoursstandard, highly polished finishes it retains today, along with additional chrome trim, emulating that found on Series V Zagatos. The Alfa’s immediate previous owner was Stanley Wanlass, the highly talented sculptor known for his bronze works depicting automotive and other subjects. The current owners admired the car under Mr. Wanlass’ ownership for many years before persuading him to part with it in 2013. Since then, the car has received care and maintenance while being displayed in a private museum facility. More recent work included being fitted with a new set of wheels and tires, adding to this example’s appeal. One of the definitive collector automobiles of all time, the 6C 1750 is a joy to drive and its nimble chassis combined with lightweight coachwork presents one of the most appealing ways to tour. Please note that this vehicle is titled 1929 and as 6C0312957. car

Estimate:$1,200,000

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