Even though the 6C 2500 was introduced at the beginning of World War II, in 1939, the Vittorio Jano and Wilfredo Ricart-developed model was in many ways the first modern gran turismo from Alfa Romeo. While the roots of its basic engine design could be traced back to the great pre-war racing machines, the model features an increased cylinder bore, an improved cylinder head, and higher (7.1:1) compression. In Super Sport configuration, with three Weber carburetors added, this translated into a respectable 110 horsepower from an engine mounted on a relatively stiff frame with four-wheel independent suspension.

The Super Sport was no mere continental tourer. It was also tremendously successful in racing, which is proven by an aggressive, successful post-war campaign that included an overall win in the 1950 Targa Florio. The buyer who saw a Super Sport win would frequently have ordered his own with coachwork by Felice Anderloni’s Carrozzeria Touring of Milan. The aluminum panels they produced were extremely thin, due to the utilization of their patented superleggera (lightweight) body construction, and they were draped over a tubular frame. Not only were Touring’s bodies featherweight, they were extraordinarily aerodynamic, as the coachbuilder was one of the first to employ wind tunnel testing in their designs.

This chassis, number 915.734, was originally delivered to Touring as a rolling chassis on February 12, 1949. It was ordered new by the owner, who was of Cotonificio Vallesura S.p.A., an esteemed Milanese fabric manufacturer and men’s fashion house, and he had the interior upholstered in materials of the firm’s own creation. The completed car was delivered on July 30, 1949, and it was enjoyed around Milan for four years.

At that point, the Super Sport was acquired by Frank Griswold, a successful racing driver and, at the time, Alfa Romeo’s exclusive North American distributor based out of New York. It is believed that this was Griswold’s personal car for several years, before ownership transferred to Fred Cantor, who eventually relocated with the Alfa to California. The car then passed from Cantor in 1971 to Norman G. Snart, an employee of the San Leandro specialty garage that maintained the Alfa during its time in the Golden State. Mr. Snart was no mere shadetree mechanic; he was an active, beloved member of California’s Italian car community, and he served as president of the Alfa Romeo Association of Northern California. He lovingly maintained this car as part of a small, exclusive stable, which also included a Ferrari 342 America and 330 GTC, for an incredible 42 years, until its acquisition by the present owners.

Aside from a correct replacement Super Sport engine, number 928.105, which was installed to replace the damaged original in the early 1970s, the Alfa remains in excellent original order throughout. For an unrestored 64-year-old car, the floors, frame, and body support substructure are all in fantastic condition. The same can be said of the body, which is exceptionally straight, largely free of filler, and will only require some minimal metal work in the front valence and an adjustment of the panel match at the bottom of the doors to be ready for a concours-quality paint job.

That said, the car can easily be driven and enjoyed in its current state, as considerable time and resources have been spent improving the original mechanical condition. The radiator and all supporting components have been rebuilt. The original water plugs in the engine block had deteriorated, so new aluminum plugs were engineered and machined specifically for this car. The brakes and original water pump have been rebuilt, and all three original Weber carburetors have been removed and rebuilt. The owners report that the engine's compression is outstanding, the original gearbox shifts effortlessly without grinding or hesitation, and the car has excellent road manners, making it a truly strong running and driving example.

Dozens of virtually impossible to locate or replicate parts all remain with the car, including the exterior door handles, the window surround trim, the ornate interior switchgear, the gauges, the factory steering wheel, the Simun heater, the fuse box cover, the ash trays, the window glass, the air cleaner housings, and the mechanical fuel pump. Included with the sale (but not currently installed) are the sun visors, the headliner bows, and the license plate light housing. Additional spare parts include an extra side mirror, extra cast bumpers (damaged), extra headlights and bezels, miscellaneous spare engine parts, and various mechanical parts, such as distributor caps; all of which will likely prove helpful during a restoration.

This early coachbuilt 1949 Alfa Romeo 6C 2500 Super Sport represents the very best in rare unrestored, post-war grand tourers, and it marks an extraordinary opportunity for the knowledgeable enthusiast.