1929 Alfa Romeo 6C 1750 Super Sport Spider (Zagato coachwork)
- Engine
- 1,752cc supercharged inline-six (6th series 1750 SS unit, rebuilt)
A 1929 Alfa Romeo 6C 1750 Supercharged Super Sport Spider with original Zagato coachwork, identified by the factory as a third-series 1750 SS, chassis 0312931. Originally powered by a supercharged 1750 engine, the car received a Ford V8 during the early 1950s following engine failure, before its long-term owner replaced it with a rebuilt sixth-series 1750 SS unit and a gearbox sourced from Norway. Factory correspondence from 1964 confirmed the Zagato body as original. Giulio Ramponi may have tested the car at Brooklands in 1929. It was actively campaigned in VSCC and historic events, including at least one early running of the Mille Miglia Storica, for over five decades under the same ownership.
Ownership
- 2019-12-07Auction saleEstimate £800,000 – £1,200,000
- 1951-05-01 →Private saleR J Hedgespartial documentation
Somerset-based owner who acquired the car with its original supercharged Alfa Romeo 1750 engine still fitted; sold via Chiltern Cars.
- 1953 → 1955Private saleS A Hurrell / SAH Accessoriespartial documentation
Bought the car without engine or gearbox after the original unit failed beyond repair; installed a 32hp Ford V8 and carried out further modifications before selling on.
- 1955 →Private saleDelta Garagespartial documentation
Leighton Buzzard dealership that acquired the car from Hurrell; subsequent disposal details not recorded.
- 1961-05-01 →Private saleMichael Hirstfull documentation
Long-term Bristol-based owner who removed the Ford V8, fitted a rebuilt 1933-series 1750 SS engine, sourced a gearbox from Norway, had the car verified by the Alfa Romeo factory, and used it extensively in VSCC events over five decades.
- Date unknownReg Parnellpartial documentation
Derby-based seller from whom the first logbook-listed owner acquired the car; period of ownership not specified.
- Date unknownPrivate saleJohn Pitcherpartial documentation
Lincolnshire-based first owner listed in the logbook; confirmed in a letter on file that he bought the car from Reg Parnell.
Competition
- 1929Brooklands test or raceDriver: Giulio Ramponi
Factory correspondence indicates Ramponi's engineer confirmed the car was very likely tested at Brooklands in 1929, though certainty that it was this specific car was not established.
- —Mille Miglia StoricaDriver: Michael Hirst
Michael Hirst and his wife attended at least one early running of the historic Mille Miglia revival with the car.
Maintenance & restoration
- 1953ModificationSAH Accessories
Original supercharged Alfa Romeo 1750 engine and gearbox were removed following terminal engine failure; a 32hp Ford V8 was installed along with unspecified further modifications by S A Hurrell of SAH Accessories Ltd.
The original engine had blown up and was deemed beyond repair prior to Hurrell's acquisition.
- 1961Engine rebuild
Ford V8 removed and replaced with a rebuilt sixth-series 1750 SS engine sourced in the UK, together with a period-correct gearbox obtained from Norway, restoring the car to Alfa Romeo power.
Work carried out by or under the direction of Michael Hirst after his acquisition in May 1961; replacement engine number recorded as 121215071.
- 1964Repair
Cylinder block cracked due to overheating on the return journey from the Alfa Romeo factory visit in September 1964; Alfa Romeo provided engineering drawings to assist with fabrication of a steel replacement block with cast-iron liners.
Michael Hirst corresponded directly with Ing. Fusi at Alfa Romeo regarding the design of a suitable replacement block.
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