Beschreibung:

Its Portello factory devastated by wartime bombing, Alfa Romeo did not resume car production until 1946 with, inevitably, a pre-war carry-over, the 6C 2500 in a variety of new guises forming the basis of the Milanese marque’s post-war recovery. One of the legendary Vittorio Jano’s final designs for Alfa Romeo, and last of the separate-chassis Alfas, the 2500 had debuted in 1939 and was developed from the 2300. Styled in-house but strongly influenced by Touring, the five-seater Freccia d’Oro (Golden Arrow) sports saloon was built alongside coupé and cabriolet versions featuring bodies by the likes of Pinin Farina, Touring and Ghia, plus a six/seven-seater berlina on a longer wheelbase. The Alfa tradition of building driver’s cars par excellence was upheld by the 2500, for although the box-section chassis was no longer state-of-the-art, it boasted all-independent suspension, generously-sized brakes, fast-geared steering and an unusually slick column-mounted gearchange. The engine was, of course, the latest version of Alfa’s race-developed double-overhead-camshaft ‘six’, its 2,443cc displacement having been arrived at by enlarging the bore of the 2300. Maximum power ranged from 90bhp in single-carburettor Sport guise to 105bhp in the triple-carburettor Super Sport. Considerably lighter than the saloon, the latter could easily exceed 100mph. The short-wheelbase Super Sport chassis was manufactured until 1951, by which time 383 had been produced. Most of these bespoke, hand-built cars were bodied as Superleggera coupés by Touring, while the remainder received cabriolet coachwork by Pinin Farina. This elegant Pinin Farina-bodied cabriolet was delivered new in Italy. According to the accompanying old American title the car dates from 1947, but according to the Alfa 6C ‘bible’, it was delivered on 27th August 1948 in Italy. Later the Alfa went to the USA before returning in 1999 to Europe where it was purchased in Holland in 2004. The car has since been completely restored and was only completed earlier this year. Work undertaken as part of this ‘last nut and bolt’ renovation included installing a new floor and fuel tank; bare metal repaint; renewing all brightwork and rubber parts; overhauling the braking system; rewiring the electrics; rebuilding the wheels; repairing the instruments; re-trimming the interior and soft-top; and completely rebuilding the engine and gearbox. The car has covered only a relative handful of ‘shakedown’ kilometres since then and has yet to be run in. Eligible for all the most important historic rallies, Concours d’Elegance events and other prestigious gatherings, this sublime Alfa is presented in excellent condition and offered with a file documenting its restoration, including a CD-ROM of photographs. Ce cabriolet élégamment carrossé par Pininfarina a été livré neuf en Italie. D'après les anciens documents de circulation américains qui l'accompagnent, la voiture date de 1947, mais la "bible" des Alfa 6C précise qu'elle a été livrée le 27 août 1948 en Italie. Cette Alfa Romeo est ensuite partie aux Etats-Unis, avant de revenir en Europe en 1999 puis d'être vendue en Hollande en 2004. Depuis, elle bénéficié d'une restauration complète qui n'a été achevée qu'au début de cette année. Lors de cette remise en état "jusqu'au dernier boulon", les travaux suivants ont notamment été effectués : nouveau plancher et réservoir d'essence ; carrosserie mise à nu avant peinture ; rénovation de tous les enjoliveurs et des pièces en caoutchouc ; système de freins refait ; nouveau circuit électrique ; reconstruction des roues ; réparation des instruments ; réfection de la sellerie et de la capote ; restauration complète du moteur et de la boîte de vitesses. Depuis, la voiture n'a couvert qu'une poignée de kilomètres de "mise en route", mais doit encore être rodée. Eligible pour tous les plus importants rallyes historiques, concours d'élégance et autres prestigieux rassemblements, cette Alfa sublime est présentée en excellen