The Beaulieu Sale: Collectors' Motor Cars & Automobilia - 6 September 2025, 13:00 BST - Beaulieu, National Motor Museum
Registration no. PJ 849
Chassis no. 0212137
Engine no. 0212737
Estimate: £150,000 - £200,000
Iconic between-the-wars Italian sports car
• Present ownership since 1998
• Restored between 1998 and 2006 (bills available)
• Engine rebuilt by Jim Stokes Workshop
• Only 1,385 miles since completion
"The 1750, and for that matter the 1500... must be among the finest ever made both from the point of view of engineering and driver satisfaction." - Michael Frostick, Alfa-Romeo-Milano.
It was Enzo Ferrari, no less, who persuaded Vittorio Jano to leave FIAT's racing department and join him at Alfa Romeo. One of the most gifted and influential automobile engineers of all time, Jano would not only supervise Alfa Romeo's Grand Prix racing programme but also design its road cars. This happy state of affairs resulted in the latter emerging as some of the most exciting of their day, establishing the Milanese marque's reputation for producing sporting driver's cars second to none. Jano arrived at Alfa in 1923 and by the following year had produced one of the most fabulous racing automobiles of all time - the legendary P2. As well as bringing Alfa much valuable publicity by virtue of its outstanding Grand Prix successes, the P2 provided the basis for Jano's first production model.
Announced in 1925 but not produced for another two years, the 6C 1500 was designed as a fast touring car combining light weight with sparkling performance. The latter was achieved courtesy of a 1,487cc inline six-cylinder engine based on the P2's straight eight and producing 44bhp in single-overhead-camshaft Normale form. Twin-overhead-camshaft Sport and supercharged Super Sport models followed, the latter being the first of its type to feature the classic open two-seater coachwork by Zagato forever associated with sporting Vintage-era Alfas. Production of the 6C 1500 ceased in 1929 on the arrival of the 6C 1750.
Logical derivative of the Tipo 6C 1500, itself directly descended from Jano's all-conquering P2 that had won the World Championship in 1925, the Tipo 6C 1750 arrived in 1929 boasting a derivative of the 1500's six-cylinder engine enlarged to 1,752cc. Built in single-cam Turismo and twin-cam Sport (later renamed Gran Turismo) variants, the 6C 1750 was an exciting fast touring car combining light weight with sparkling performance, more than 120km/h (75mph) being attainable, depending on coachwork. Aimed at gentleman racing drivers, there was also a limited edition Super Sport, or SS, version, which later evolved into the Gran Sport. Most of these cars carried coachwork by Carrozzeria Zagato or Carrozzeria Touring, with James Young being responsible for bodying the majority imported into the UK.
One of the oldest and most respected of automotive design firms, Zagato was founded in Milan in 1919 by Ugo Zagato, who used techniques learned in the wartime aeronautics industry to create a series of lightweight competition cars. Alfa Romeo immediately realised the potential of Zagato's designs and thus commenced a fruitful collaboration that lasts to this day. Legendary racing models such as Alfa's 1500, 1750 Gran Sport and 2300 8C were followed by luxurious coupés and roadsters on FIAT and Lancia chassis.
According to marque authority, Angela Cherrett, long chassis '0212137' started life as a two-seater before being returned to Carrozzeria Zagato for conversion to a four-seater tourer. It is recorded as the fourth oldest 6C 1750 in Roy Slater's book, while the first owner in the UK was Ross McManus, who owned the car from 1965 to 1998 when it was purchased by our vendor.
Restored between 1998 and 2006, including an engine rebuild by Jim Stokes Workshop, the Alfa comes with records/bills relating to the works totalling over £55,000. The odometer was reset during the restoration and is currently showing 1,385 miles. Some parts left over from the engine rebuild are included in the sale and the car also comes with an owner's manual; a copy of The 6C 1750 Alfa Romeo by Luigi Fusi and Roy Slater; and two invoices issued in 2024 by Vintage Vehicle Restorers (VVR) of Ludlow, Shropshire. Totalling £6,090, these invoices relate to servicing and recommissioning, including overhauling the carburettor and fuel system; adjusting the brakes; and sending various parts away for re-plating.
Text & Image: Bonhams
