1931 | Alfa Romeo 6C 1750 Gran Sport

The 1931 Alfa Romeo 6C 1750 Gran Sport Zagato was a masterpiece of pre-war engineering, blending lightweight design, racing pedigree, and Italian craftsmanship.

Designed by the legendary Vittorio Jano, the Alfa Romeo 6C 1750 Gran Sport 5th Series evolved from the earlier 1500cc Super Sport as the penultimate and most advanced evolution. Only 106 examples of the Gran Sport 5th Series were built in 1931.

With victories including the 1929 Mille Miglia won by Giuseppe Campari and again in the 1930 Mille Miglia, this time won by Tazio Nuvolari, the 6C 1750 Gran Sport was designed to dominate endurance racing.

Powered by a supercharged 1.75Litre DOHC inline-six engine, the Gran Sport produced 85-95 hp, an impressive output for its time. With the Roots supercharger and a four-speed manual transmission, it could reach a top speed of 160 km/h, making it one of the fastest road cars of the early 1930s.

Its lightweight chassis, coupled with independent front suspension and semi-elliptic leaf springs at the rear, delivered superb agility and handling, crucial for competitive racing.

Today, it remains one of the most coveted pre-war Alfa Romeos, celebrated for its racing heritage, rarity, and timeless design.

All the mechanical components including the original engine, for this 1931 Alfa 6C 1750 Gran Sport Zagato were purchased over 40 years ago in Italy and together with a replacement chassis, the project was given to the highly respected Italian restorer Gigi Bonfanti, of Bonfanti Garage, Vicenza.

Not only does Bonfanti Garage have generations of experience with the marque, at the time of the build, they also had as a reference an original 6C 1750 Gran Sport Zagato  which belonged to the owners’ closest friend.

Gradually over the next twenty years every nut and bolt was restored and the car was finally clothed in the stunning Zagato aluminium body by coach builder Farina. Being aerodynamically efficient, as well as visually breathtaking, the Zagato coachwork embodies the golden era of motorsport.

Since the car’s completion it has appeared in nearly twenty high profile events, over nearly two decades, winning Best of Show at the Festival de l’Automobile – Mulhouse 2004 Concours d’Elegance des Musees; at the Targa Florio 2016, appearing as one of five cars from the Registo Italiano Alfa Romeo; and as an exhibit at the 2017 Auto d’ Epoca Show at Padova.

In 2019 the car was sold to the present owner, a keen collector of cars and with a soft spot for important Italian pre-war cars.

The Alfa Romeo has been sparingly used on the road and remains in superb, near concours condition benefitting from regular maintenance by the in-house mechanic of the owner. 

Currently on Italian papers, this is an exceptional Alfa Romeo 6C 1750 Gran Sport Zagato in equally exceptional condition, mechanically and cosmetically.