Possessing such beautiful open coachwork, advanced mechanical engineering, and a remarkable competition pedigree, it is hardly surprising that Alfa Romeo’s 6C 1750 Gran Sport has grown to be a darling among discerning marque collectors. Well-maintained examples are reputed to be highly rewarding driver’s machines that abound in light, connected steering, impressive cornering, and plenty of supercharged power. For these reasons the model remains a favorite within the collector car niche.

Produced in five series of gradual improvements between 1929 and 1934, the model won nearly every race it entered—quickly becoming one of the marque’s most popular, and expensive, creations. Nearly 2,600 left the Portello factory through 1933, each one tabbed at a price hovering around 50,000 Lire—an incredible cost considering that most orders left the factory as bare chassis.

This wonderfully restored 6C 1750 bears a fascinating history and—with two Best in Class wins at the prestigious Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance—the hardware to back up its stunning presentation.

This fourth-series 6C was originally configured in 1932 as a 1750 Sport wearing coachwork of an unrecorded variety. Because of their extremely vivid racing lives, it was not unusual for aging 6C sports cars to be rebuilt into more attractive and desirable models for continued use and enjoyment. As such, over subsequent owners, this 1750 was reportedly re-bodied and upgraded to a more aggressive specification, sometimes regarded as a “semi-Gran Sport,” although the particulars of these prior improvements remain unclear. What is clear, is that a replica Zagato spider body of very high quality was fitted. This well-proportioned body remains mounted to the car today.

After many years, our 1750 next appears in Northern France; correspondence within the car’s file indicate that it was registered in France as “6C8613411”—the number stamped upon the front spring perch. In 1982, it was reportedly purchased by American Alfa Romeo collector William McClenehan from its latest French owner and moved to storage in Switzerland. McClenehan brought the car out to take part in the 1986 Mille Miglia Storico, but he appears to have done little to prepare the car for such an incredibly grueling debut. It did not finish.

In February 1989, this 6C 1750 was subsequently brokered by a Dutch vendor Bruno Vendiesse to John Ridings Lee of Dallas, Texas. With Lee, the car was submitted to preeminent restorer Bob Smith Coachworks of Gainesville, Texas for a complete and total 32-month restoration to “full” 6C 1750 Gran Sport specifications.

Restoration invoices (on file) show more than $262,000 of work completed by Smith, alongside subcontracted engine rebuild work from the highly regarded Alfa Romeo specialist Paul Grist. The engine which Grist rebuilt and supercharged (crankcase number 6C8513011) was then freighted back to Texas and installed in Lee’s 6C Gran Sport project during late 1990. It was also decided to apply the very attractive period-style dark red racing livery with a robin’s egg blue accent stripe running along the belt line.

In August 1991, the freshly completed 6C was invited to debut at the ultra-exclusive Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance. Amazingly, it won its class among a tight field of similar pre-war Alfa Romeos. In 2001, Lee and the car repeated this same feat—a rare claim to fame and surely a testament to the quality, but also preservation, of Smith’s exhaustive restoration work. During his later years with this 6C, Lee also enjoyed it on the Colorado Grand and several other rallies across the American West.

Under current ownership, in 2018 the car was awarded an FIA Historical Passport (valid until January 2029) which makes it eligible for a tremendous number of prestigious international vintage racing, hill climbing, and rallying events for pre-war cars—not least of which the fantastic Mille Miglia Storico.

This 6C 1750, with its unmistakable livery and fantastic presentation befitting its two major concours wins, is a compelling, well-maintained, thoroughly exhibited Alfa Romeo. As a fierce competitor in historic races and a thrilling ride for vintage driving events, it will certainly continue to be enjoyed by its next enthusiast owner.