Italy’s prominence in motorsport was built on the success of Alfa Romeo’s racing exploits during the inter-war years, a legacy that is continued today by Scuderia Ferrari. During this period, the most famous race in Italy was the Mille Miglia, an event dominated by Alfa Romeo with an initial trio of victories with the 6C. The use of forced induction with a supercharger turned the 6C into a world-beating road racing automobile, initially with the 1500-cc version before the engine was enlarged in 1929 to 1750 cc. The competition version of the model was first labelled the Super Sport, before it evolved into the Gran Sport, with the final version of this sporting line-up being the Series V before the introduction of the 8C 2300. During 1931 and 1932, just 106 examples of the Series V Gran Sport were produced, with many of these being Spiders.

The most desirable of the sporting 6Cs were those bodied as Spiders by Touring and Zagato. Chassis number 10814388 is a late Series V example that was adorned from new with a stunning Spider body by Touring—desirably this body is very similar to ones fitted to younger 8Cs. According to the estratto cronologico, this 6C was delivered to its first owner, Sig Guido Dó of Turin, on 22 June 1932.

Guido Dó rallied a 6C 1750, believed to be this car, in an RACI rally at the Colle del Sestrières during a bitterly cold December in 1932. He finished 3rd in class in the challenging Alpine event. Dó then sold the 6C on 28 June 1933 to Dario Sessarego, who was clearly fond of his purchase as he kept it for the following 18 years until 1951. It then passed through a couple of dealers before being bought by a US serviceman, Joseph McNeill, who was posted in Rome. McNeill had servicing work done, which was invoiced in May 1952, before it was exported to the USA. A photo on file from this period shows that this Alfa Romeo was almost identical then to how it is today with exception to a different windscreen, seat and trailing edge of the rear wing.

By 1956, it was owned by Robert Becker of Hyde Park, New York. Becker kept the 6C into the early 1960s and then it passed through a couple private owners in the USA before it found its way to the United Kingdom and eventually Russell Abrahams. Abrahams was clearly an Alfa Romeo enthusiast as this 1750 shared a garage with an older 1500 Tourer.

At the beginning of the 1980s, this wonderful 6C joined the collection of the late David Black, a well-known Alfa Romeo restorer and authority—other cars in the stable included a P3, Alfa 8C 2900s, and a 2300. Utilising his knowledge, Black clearly recognised that this Gran Sport was a particularly special example. While factory build data for individual components is not available, it is possible to state that the engine is the original unit for the car, and components such as the front axle, gearbox, rear axle, and steering box are highly likely to be original to the car. Importantly, the bonnet is also numbered, further supporting the originality of the body.

For the last two decades, this glorious Alfa Romeo has been maintained by the renowned specialist Jim Stokes Workshops to allow the continued enjoyment of it by the Black family. Offered after four decades of ownership, it is unlikely a Series V of this quality will become available again for some time. An Alfa Romeo for the purist, this stunning 6C would be the tool of choice for any number of events from VSCC hill climbs to conquering the Mille Miglia, whilst being a serious entry for any Concours d’Elegance. Cherished for decades, this significant supercharged road racer deserves to be treasured for many more years to come.