Alfa’s 1934 6C model was conceived as a natural development of the successful 6C 1500 and 6C 1750 series, and set the pattern for post-war Alfas. With dual overhead camshafts and a 70 x 100-mm bore and stroke, Jano’s final design of a production Alfa Romeo was robust: an engine with seven main bearings and a stiff, boxed-chassis frame. Though designed and built with costs in mind, it carried on the sporting traditions of the Milanese marque.

The success of the 6C 2300 models was demonstrated in 1938 when Pintacuda and Giuseppe Farina finished first and second in the Mille Miglia, just one leading example of many highly successful competition outings in the season. In 1939 the factory increased the cylinder bore to 72 mm, creating the 2443-cc 6C 2500. With an improved cylinder head for better breathing and compression ratio increased from 6.75:1 to 7:1, output rose from 87 bhp to 95 bhp in the Sport version, with a single-throat Weber carburetor, and up to 105 bhp in the Super Sport version, which sported three Weber carburetors.

In 1948 Alfa developed the 6C 2500 Competizione, of which only three were built. One of these cars had a more advanced chassis, developed and manufactured by Gilco Milano. Behind the company name of Gilco was the full name of Gilberto Colombo, who designed and manufactured racing Ferrari and Maserati chassis in the 1950s. In 1950 Alfetta gave the order for chassis 64251 to Gilco to build a special frame to accommodate the 6C running gear.

Meanwhile, on the motor racing competition front, 1950 was an unforgettable season for the Alfa Romeo team, which entered the newly designed type 158 in 11 Grand Prix and won them all, Fangio winning six and Farina five. In 1951 Fangio went on to win the first of his five world championship titles. As a result of this achievement, at the end of the season Alfa Romeo had the Gilco Tubolare chassis rebodied by Ghia and, after displaying it at a concours in Milano, gifted it to Juan Manuel Fangio as a present in recognition of winning the world championship.

At some later stage Fangio decided to sell the car, which was then exported to England. Years afterward it was discovered in an unrestored condition in a collection of Ferraris. Between 1995 and 1997 the car underwent a very thorough restoration, taking some 5,800 hours, which was fully documented and photographed.

It has since won many concours prizes, most recently winning its class at the famous Villa d’Este Concours this year against stiff competition, and taking second prize overall. This is an opportunity to acquire a magnificent and elegant sports car with a thoroughbred race car chassis, eligible for many of the international concours d’elegance and long-distance touring events around the world. A true wolf in sheep’s clothing, both beauty and beast.

This 1950 Alfa Romeo 6C 2500 Competizione Review and Buyer's Guide appeared in the December, 2001 Issue of Sports Car Market Magazine.