Mussolini’s 1929 Alfa Romeo 6C 1750 SS To Be Restored

Mussolini’s 1929 Alfa Romeo 6C 1750 SS is to be restored. Gloucestershire based restorer Thornley Kelham are in reciept of the car.

Former wartime Italian dictator had a thing for Alfa Romeos and had owned several, but he bought this one new for 60,000 Lire. The 6C was the 3rd in the generation and featured the more powerful 1750 twin cam engine. Mussolini even raced the car a few times in events across Italy.

The 1750 was a development of the 1500 Super Sport which was Alfa’s first road car with a double overhead camshaft engine. The 1500 was based on the company’s P2 race car. All 6C models featuring a six cylinder engine. The base model featuring a single cam compared to Super Sport and Gran Sport models twin cams. Some even had a supercharger.

Mussolini registerd the car on the 13 January 1930 and kept the car until sometime in the late 30s where it was exported to Asmara, Eritrea, when Mussolini moved there. It was during this period where the car was altered substantially for racing. Subsequent owners being repsonsible for it’s current state. This is the form in which the car was discovered. Now the engine, gearbox, axle and chassis are original. The difference is clear from the period photograph, but the car looks like it would have still been stunning in its later form. Even if many parts had been discarded to save weight.