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A stunning
fifth-series Alfa Romeo 6C 1750 Gran Sport from 1932
with bodywork by Zagato is set to be a star lot at the
annual Gooding & Company Scottsdale Auction later this
month. With beautiful and original coachwork and
irreplaceable patina, it is rich in provenance and
powered by an exceptional Jim Stokes-prepared, Vittorio
Jano-designed, supercharged twin-cam engine.
The certificate
of origin for this Alfa Romeo was issued on August 3, 1932,
placing it squarely within the range of production for the
highly developed fifth series of Gran Sport 1750s. After
being sold by Alfa Romeo dealer and race organizer Oreste
Peverelli to Sig. Renato Lo Cascio, this Gran Sport was
first registered in Como with the original registration
number 6857 CO and a declared value of 60,000 lire.
As delivered,
the Alfa was fitted with this delightful two-place Zagato
body, very much the common practice with the fifth-series
Gran Sports. As each car was tailored to its first owner’s
specification, this car features a number of distinguishing
characteristics that can be found on a mere handful of 6C
1750s. For example, this car was designed with the rare
waterfall grille and the more voluptuous flowing fenders – a
design that is believed to have been used on only three
examples. Other distinguishing features include a beautiful
trail of rivets along the bonnet, distinctive single-plane
bumpers, a radiator without a temperature gauge and
coachwork that is two inches wider at the rear when compared
with similar Zagato bodies – a characteristic that provides
a more comfortable space when touring.
After many years
of ownership, Sig. Lo Cascio sold his treasured Gran Sport
and he declared that his Alfa had been “definitively
exported” from Italy on September 6, 1949. The purchaser was
Ralph Stein, the consummate automobile enthusiast and to
many, the poet laureate of the collectible automobile. Over
the years, Mr. Stein owned a number of spectacular
automobiles but his experiences made him a firm believer in
the beautiful Milanese sports cars which he favored above
all. In his wonderful book, The Greatest Cars, Mr.
Stein describes his 6C 1750 as follows: “That first 1750
Super Sport (senza compressore) Alfa was, of course, superb.
But some years later I became the joyful owner of an even
better one. This was a 1750 supercharged Gran Sport. A late
fifth-series Zagato-bodied model, No. 10816391, built in
1933 [sic]. This blown Alfa was, of course, faster than my
unblown Super Sport. Top speed was near 100 mph. Zero to 60
took about eleven seconds. The engine was even more willing.
I had to be careful not to accidentally step on the gas
pedal (which lived between the clutch and the brake pedals)
when getting out of the car with the engine running, lest
revs instantly scream past the red line, which was 4,500
rpm.”
The Gran Sport
is not only described and pictured in The Greatest Cars,
but it also appears in Sports Cars of the World and
several other publications throughout Stein’s ownership. In
1971, after two decades of memorable motoring, Mr. Stein
sold the Gran Sport to David Tunick of Greenwich,
Connecticut, a well-known collector of exceptional
automobiles whose stable of thoroughbred motorcars included
a Bentley Speed Six team car, a chain-drive Simplex and a
Gullwing among others. Mr. Tunick stored the Alfa for many
years, a situation that helped to preserve the car in the
magnificent, highly original condition it remains in today.
After Mr. Tunick passed away, the Alfa Romeo was displayed
in the Preservation Class at Pebble Beach where it won
Second in Class.
In 2001, the
Alfa was offered for sale for the first time in 30 years and
was immediately purchased by a gentleman living in France.
When the car was acquired it was noted that the odometer
indicated a mere 13,654 original kilometers (8,484 miles), a
figure that was in keeping with the largely undisturbed
condition of the car. During his ownership, the engine was
reportedly completely rebuilt and the Gran Sport
participated on the Mille Miglia Storica on three
separate occasions. Needless to say, it will be eligible for
future runnings.
The car returned
to the US a few years later when its fifth owner in over 70
years purchased the car out of France. Since acquiring the
car, the owner has entrusted world renowned Alfa Romeo
expert, Jim Stokes, to treat the car to a comprehensive
mechanical rebuild in preparation for vintage racing and
touring. The work included rebuilding almost every
mechanical component and cost in excess of £200,000. The
upper half of the engine features a new Jim Stoke block,
camshafts, pistons and ancillaries; however, the crankcase
remains original to the car and retains the correct Alfa
Romeo stamping corresponding to the chassis number. This
highly desirable set-up has been dyno’ed at approximately
135 bhp – an astounding figure when you take into
consideration the original 85 bhp rating.
In addition, an
increase in the blower drive ratio and static compression, a
modern racing clutch, a hidden point-less ignition system
and full-flow oil filter make this very powerful 6C a much
more reliable one. All the original components remain at Mr.
Stokes’ workshop in the UK and are available for shipment at
the request and expense of the new owner
In 2007, the car
was invited to the exclusive Pebble Beach Concours
d’Elegance where it successfully completed the Tour
d’Elegance and was placed in the always-impressive
Pre-war Preservation Class. Its unrepeatable patina is
certainly one of the highlights of this car and it is a
pleasure to see such a beautifully preserved Alfa sports car
when so many have been completely restored. The car has
never been the subject of a complete restoration. It wears
the original cloisonné badge, period plating and signs of
selective but enthusiastic use, from the gentle wear on the
throttle to the stickers affixed to the windscreen that
attest to its participation in numerous events. It’s
wonderfully undisturbed appearance allowed it to capture the
Petersen Museum prize at the BHEF concours in 2008.
Later that year,
the Alfa returned to Monterey to race in the world famous
Monterey Historic Races at Laguna Seca. The car finished 4th
in the Group 1A race, which featured a highly competitive
variety of pre-1940 sport and touring cars. In the last few
years, this Gran Sport has participated in the Colorado
Grand rally and was invited on the 8C Tour organized by Tom
Price. Evidently, this was the only 6C 1750 ever invited to
the exclusive tour and its owner reports that, with the
Stokes-prepared motor, the Alfa easily kept up with its 8C
brethren.
Having had the
opportunity to drive this car himself, David Gooding
described the experience as follows: “On a recent test
drive, this Alfa delivered an exhilarating ride and
showcased the most endearing qualities of this thoroughbred
sports car. From the moment I climbed into the car and slid
into the seat, it was apparent that the Alfa was a true
driver’s car. The engine fired on the first attempt and made
a noise that would be music to the ears of any old car
connoisseur. On the road, the Alfa pulled strong all the way
to the red line through each of the four gears and covered
ground much faster than any 6C 1750 I had yet to experience.
Even uphill grades at 70 mph in top gear were taken
effortlessly, with the supercharged straight six continuing
to pull hard. The gearbox shifted as well as any Alfa box,
the brakes were effective and the car provided the perfect
sense of balance and control. The steering was light, direct
and exacting – just as a pre-war Alfa should be. The
handling during hard cornering was predictable and inviting.
This is a car that begs to be driven – and driven at speed.
In the cockpit, one stares over the long, riveted bonnet and
sees the classic free-standing lights bobbing along between
the fenders, the floorboard warms, the cacophony of the
gear-driven supercharger, camshafts and straight-cut gears
fill the air and the unmistakable smell of fuel, oil and
warm alloy wafts through the cabin. The cockpit is outfitted
with the classic Jaeger instruments, including a prominent
rev-counter that is placed just behind the steering wheel,
as was done with the Testa Fissa racecars.”
Ivan Zaremba, of
Phil Reilly and Company, has maintained this car over the
past few years and says, “It is without a doubt the best
performing 1750 of the many I have driven over the years… I
have never driven one that changes gears as easily … the car
is an excellent example for either touring or vintage racing
and a pleasure to drive in either circumstance.” High praise
indeed.
This Gran Sport
is a rare breed of car that feels truly alive, full of
character and completely in tune with the driver. It is
tight, easily controlled and delivers performance that is
more in keeping with an 8C 2300 than a 6C 1750. There is
little wonder why a dyed-in-the-wool Alfa Romeo man like
Ralph Stein kept this remarkable Gran Sport for two decades.
Offered together with the sale of this car are reports from
Angela Cherrett and John de Boer, FIVA paperwork, the
original bumper and engine components, and a thick file of
receipts documenting the mechanical work that has been
carried out over the past few years. Most importantly, the
car’s major components, including the chassis, engine,
axles, gearbox, supercharger and steering box, all display
proper, unaltered Alfa Romeo stampings. In reference to his
exceptional Gran Sport, Ralph Stein was quoted as saying, “I
never went to take mine out of the garage without a
pleasurably nervous feeling that I was embarking on an
adventure.” The fortunate new owner of this Alfa Romeo will
be able to share this same feeling and will hopefully
treasure this remarkable automobile for years to come.
Text & Photos:
Gooding & Company
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