Eric Minoff
Vice President, Head of Department - US
LOT 86 Ω
1934 Alfa Romeo 6C 2300 Siluro Coachwork in the style of Carrozzeria Touring Chassis no. 700187
Sold for US$190,400 inc. premiumLot to be sold without reserve
Lot 86Ω
1934 Alfa Romeo 6C 2300 Siluro
1934 Alfa Romeo 6C 2300 Siluro
Coachwork in the style of Carrozzeria Touring
Chassis no. 700187
Coachwork in the style of Carrozzeria Touring
Chassis no. 700187
2,309cc DOHC Inline 6-Cylinder Engine
2 Solex 35-40 FH Carburetors
119bhp at 4,500rpm
4-Speed Manual Transmission
4-Wheel Semi-Elliptic Leaf Spring Suspension with Solid Front and Live Rear Axle
4-Wheel Drum Brakes
*The pinnacle of 1930s sports car design
*Delivered new to the United Kingdom
*Beautiful re-body and painstaking restoration by Neil Twyman
*Eligible for some of the world's most exclusive motoring events
THE ALFA ROMEO 6C 2300
"An absolute novelty presented by Alfa Romeo at the 1934 Milan automobile show was the latest creation of Vittorio Jano, the 6-cylinder intended by the factory and by its designer to claim the heritage of the prestigious Alfa Romeo 1750..." – Le Alfa Romeo di Vittorio Jano, Autocritica, Milan, 1982.
Introduced at the 1934 Milan Show, the Alfa Romeo 6C 2300 was the latest flowering of a noble line of sporting models that had originated in 1925 with the 6C 1500. The latter was the first true expression of the abiding design genius of Vittorio Jano, who had masterminded the Italian firm's meteoric rise to world-class stature in the mid-1920s. His P2 and Tipo B Monoposto racing designs proved virtually unbeatable at Grand Prix level in their heyday, while his family of six-cylinder sports-racing cars has passed into the annals of motoring history as the standard-setter of its time.
The 2300's newly developed six-cylinder 2,309cc engine featured an integrally cast crankcase and cylinder block topped by an aluminium-alloy cylinder head. Two basic specifications were available: the Turismo model with a long-wheelbase chassis, and the Gran Turismo with a shortened wheelbase. In 1934, the 6C 2300 made an auspicious competition debut in the inaugural 'Giro d'Italia - Coppa d'Oro del Littorio', a race held in three stages over a total of 5,687 kilometres.
Four cars with open coachwork by Brianza were entrusted to Scuderia Ferrari, which collaborated closely with Alfa Romeo on competition matters. The engines were equipped with a new inlet manifold, two 35mm Solex carburettors, and twin 3-into-1 exhaust manifolds. Thus equipped, the engines produced more than 100bhp. Other changes made to the cars included a higher final drive ratio; Bosch electrics with a second battery; an enlarged fuel tank; two fuel pumps; and the addition of a rev counter. Alfa Romeo suffered some bad luck in the course of the race, as the leading car driven by Marinoni had an accident in the second stage. However, the other three cars enjoyed more success, with the Rosa/Comotti car finishing 2nd overall, and the others finishing 4th and 5th.
The model's definitive success came at the Targa Abruzzo - 24 Ore di Pescara on August 12/13th 1934, when three Touring-bodied coupés finished 1st, 2nd, and 3rd with the Cortese/Severi car winning against stiff competition from the Lancia Astura driven by Pintacuda/Brivio, who had won the previous Giro d'Italia, and the two Alfa Romeo 8C 2300s of Tazio Nuvolari and Guy Moll.
Capitalizing on this success, Alfa Romeo decided to build a series of 60 Gran Turismo cars with the mechanical specifications of the racing Berlinetta, and with various types of coachwork ranging from saloons to open spiders. These cars were called 'Pescara' to commemorate Alfa's racing successes. They were the predecessors of the new Touring-bodied 6C 2300B Mille Miglia models that debuted at the 1937 Mille Miglia.
THE CAR OFFERED
Chassis number '700187' was delivered new to the UK in 1934 in rolling chassis form to be bodied locally, as confirmed by acknowledged Alfa Romeo authority, Angela Cherrett. Little is known about the Alfa's early life, but its original body is believed to have been an open two-seater built for competition purposes. Believed resident in the UK for its entire life, the 6C was acquired during the 1970s by Chris Mann, the noted Alfa Romeo aficionado and collector.
In 1986, Mann sold the Alfa to Rupert Cleverly, who commissioned marque specialists Neil Twyman of Potters Bar, Hertfordshire to rebuild it in the style of the 6C 2300 prototype. Supervised by Neil Twyman, the project took ten years to complete at a cost of over £80,000, as evidenced by numerous invoices on file.
Shortly after its completion in 1996, the 6C was entered in the Louis Vuitton Classic at the Hurlingham Club in London. Claverly also entered the car in the 2003 Mille Miglia. Sold to the immediately preceding owner in 2006, '700187' was used enthusiastically on numerous rallies, including the Italia Classica, while continuing to be maintained by Neil Twyman. The current vendor purchased the 6C in October 2012, since when it has formed part of their extensive pre-war collection in Japan, regularly started and kept in good order.
Although any Alfa Romeo of this period is a pleasure to own and drive, this 6C 2300 must rank among the finest and most exquisite of contemporary classics. Eligible for some of the world's most exclusive motoring events, and a guaranteed head-turner at any show, race meeting or tour, this classic Alfa Romeo will surely give its fortunate next owner immense satisfaction.
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| Ω | Import Duty |
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