1948 Alfa Romeo 6C 2500 Sport Cabriolet

The vendor, who is well-known to us and has an enviable collection of fine classics, bought this RHD manual 6C 2500 Sport Cabriolet car very shortly after it had been purchased from a Bonhams auction in Paris and then UK-registered for the first time.

He bought it because of its completeness, originality, authenticity and charm. 

His initial intention was to restore much or all of its former glory and make the most of its eligibility for the Mille Miglia.

As if often the way with even the best-laid plans, this ambition never came to fruition and the car now finds itself back on the market, where its scarcity, condition and desirability will no doubt attract a great deal of wholly deserved attention.

Built in December 1948, this Alfa Romeo 6C 2500 Sport Cabriolet, bodied by Pinin Farina, was delivered to Camogli, Italy, on May 5, 1949. 

The car resurfaced on documents and in photographs in California, July 5, 1983, still in its original colour, ‘Celeste Coldinava’. 

Then owned by a Lucille E. Newman, the 6C was apparently frequently used - as evidenced by various photographs from the period.

Registered as '49 ALFA', the 6C was sold by her on July 15, 1986, with the odometer then reading 67,370 kms. 

On June 4, 1987, the Alfa Romeo was sold through C.C.I. (Classic Car Invest) to Sig. Luciano Bertolero in Turin for 5.5 million Lire. 

On May 18, 1988 it was acquired by Luigi Rendo from Luciano Bertolero for 9 million Lire. 

Registered since November 8th 1988 at the Registro Italiano Alfa Romeo (under number 87), it remained in storage for many years until bought for a private collection in 2019. 

Its Certificato di Origine, published by Alfa Romeo Classiche in 2019, tells us that it was originally equipped with engine No. 926739. It now has engine No. 926045, the identification plate being restamped with the current engine number. 

The vendor has done little to or with the car since buying it. He has, however changed all fluids, flushed all lines and hoses through, and established that the car starts runs on the key as you would hope. He has also changed the battery and fitted a new fuel primer pump, which is only required when the engine is being started from cold.

The brakes will need looking at before the car can be driven and it will, of course, require more extensive mechanical recommissioning before this supremely elegant automotive icon can take to the road and start turning heads and winning hearts again. 

This is a truly distinctive car with a clear aesthetic that sets it apart from the common herd today – much as it must have done in 1948.

To our eyes, it looks British when viewed from the side, American from the front, German from the rear and Italian with the roof up, emphasising the car’s rakish low profile (despite its surprising size). 

The bodywork is really pretty good, and there no significant dents, crumples or creases of note anywhere that we can see.

The pale blue ‘Celeste Coldinava’ paint looks as if it might be the original, a theory supported in no small part by its decidedly less-than-fresh condition. 

The paintwork is, variously, cracked, crazed, split, scuffed, scratched, chipped or missing pretty much anywhere you choose to rest your critical gaze. 

The black wire wheels look to be in decent condition. The tyres are definitely rather long in the tooth and have cracks and crazing in the side walls.

The chrome is reasonable, as are the lights, lenses, badging and other exterior fixtures and fittings.

The delightful, recessed, push-button door handles (reminiscent of Bristols of a similar era) both look good and work well.

The doors close with plenty of weight and certainty, and the panels, door shuts and panel gaps all serve as a fitting testimony to the surprisingly impressive engineering tolerances achievable by the best Italian craftsmen of the day.

The black fabric hood is intact, appears to be undamaged as far as we can see, and goes up and down as intended. Much the same can be said for the rather neat, black fabric tonneau cover.

There are some splits and general roughness to the metal on the front valance behind the number plate and bumper. The windscreen is cracked on the passenger side. 

The interior, which we’re assuming was restored at some point in the 1980s, appears to be broadly as authentic and original as the rest of the vehicle.

The richly dark, midnight-blue leather has an almost iridescent quality to its deep shine and the upholstery, front and back, is pretty much free of any meaningful creases, ingrained patina or signs of wear.  

The wood inserts on the seat backs are very good, as are the door cards.

The roof lining, although in need of some more precise fitting in places, is broadly in very decent condition.

The smoked Perspex sun-visors, Biscione-badged rear ashtray and amber-coloured dashboard knobs and controls are particularly stylish and appealing components that appear to us to be entirely original and authentic.

The blue carpets and mats are following a very similar script in terms of quality and condition. 

The steering wheel, gear selector, instruments, dials and controls all look good to us. 

We haven’t driven the car any distance so can’t attest to the efficacy, functionality or accuracy of any instruments, buttons, knobs or dials.

The engine bay is clean, dry and tidy. 

The undersides look to be possessed of plenty of structural integrity and nothing we’ve seen has prompted us to tut or raise an eyebrow.

All in all, it looks like a car that’s spent most of its adult life under cloud-free Californian skies or in a warm, dry collection.

The vendor informs us that the front brakes are currently disconnected, so as part of the general recommissioning process, this will need to be addressed.

This car doesn’t come with a service pack or original manuals, but it does have all the right certificates of authenticity (Alfa Romeo Heritage Certificate, plus inclusion in the Italian Alfa Romeo Registry), evidence of its previous lives in both California and Italy, a few photographs, and copies of various manuals and handbooks. 

Stickers in the windscreen tell us (or at least suggest to us) that the car has been a member of the Southern Californian Antique Automobile Club and may, perhaps, have competed in the Mille Miglia at some point – but we don’t know for sure. 

The odometer is currently showing 67,378 kms.

This is a rare car by any measure, and it’s rarer still for being this complete and this authentic – which should make the task of recapturing some, most or all of its original magnificence that much simpler, quicker, more affordable and, ultimately, more rewarding.

We like it a great deal.

Fancy something very special for next year’s Mille Miglia?

We are happy to offer this sumptuous vehicle for auction with an estimate in the range of £110,000 - £130,000.

Viewing is strongly encouraged, and this lot is located at the Bonhams|Cars Online HQ. Viewings are strictly by appointment. To make a booking, please use the Contact Seller button at the top of the listing. Feel free to ask any questions or make observations in the comments section below, and read our ‘Frequently Asked Questions’.