This is the Alfa Romeo 6C 1750 SS of 1929 that Benito Mussolini once had

2 Mar

 

As for classic cars, any pre-war Alfa Romeo is a very desirable find, regardless of the condition. But if combined with the fact that this particular copy is an Alfa Romeo 6C 1750 SS from 1929 and that it was owned by a famous World War II dictator, it becomes more than just a piece of automotive history, but in the story itself.

With the chassis number #6C312898, this Italian sports car was delivered again to Benito Mussolini on January 13, 1930, and there are several images that show it behind the wheel. He paid 60,000 lire (31,000 euros) of the time for it. The Lombard president participated in several national races at the beginning of the decade, but did not keep it long: his well-known love for fascism and international invasions prevailed over the automotive industry.

It was then that he went through several owners before finishing in the hands of a man named Renato Tigillo, in 1937. He took the 6C 1750 SS with him when he moved to Eritrea, a country that joined Somalia and Ethiopia in the administrative territory East African Italian in 1936. It is now owned by a resident of the United States, but recently, Thornley Kelham Restorations in the United Kingdom was sent to undergo a complete restoration.

The Alfa Romeo 6C has historically been a successful car, as 13 of them competed in the iconic Mille Miglia race a year before Mussolini bought it, and one won. Although Stabilimenti Farina originally floated the car, it was finally scrapped in favor of more aerodynamics that, 90 years later, needs a lot of love and investment. However, the chassis, the rear axle and the gearbox are completely original.

When it was new, the Alfa Romeo 6C 1750 SS was offered with a six-cylinder in-line engine and 1.8 liters in the form of atmospheric or supercharged by volumetric compressor. With this last alternative, about 85 HP of power and 172 Nm were achieved, capable of throwing 900 kilos of metal up to a maximum speed of 153 km / h, to the maximum that both the block and the four-speed manual transmission could perform. Until 1933, 2,635 units were manufactured.

Thornley Kelham is moving forward to bring old Alfa Romeo to its original state, but it won’t be easy. The car is missing several key components, including headlights, fenders and original wheels, none of which can be purchased by a quick trip to the facilities of the firm of the bistro. Simon Thornley said that, with almost total security, it will be one of the most challenging restoration work he has undertaken.

How much will the car cost once it looks like new? We do not know, but we can ensure that the seven figures reach them without any problem.