1950 Alfa Romeo 6C 2500 Villa d'Este (Touring coachwork)
- Engine
- 2.5L inline-six, triple-carburetor Super Sport tune
- Colour
- Metallic grey ('Grigio Metallizzato')
The Alfa Romeo 6C 2500 Villa d'Este is among the most coveted of the 36 hand-built examples produced between 1950 and 1952 by Carrozzeria Touring on the short-wheelbase Super Sport chassis. Debuting at the 1949 Concorso d'Eleganza Villa d'Este, the Superleggera-bodied design won the Gran Premio Referendum. This chassis, delivered in December 1950 to the Swiss market, later passed through British, then American ownership before receiving a full restoration by Milanese specialist Giancarlo Cappa in a Grigio Metallizzato finish, retaining its original numbers-matching engine.
Ownership
- —Auction saleSold US$500,000
- 1950-12-12 →Factory deliveryAlfa Romeo distributor in Lugano, Switzerlandpartial documentation
Car was delivered to the Swiss distributor in mid-December 1950; subsequent transfer details are not specified in the prose.
- 1958 → 1977Acquisition unknownUK-based owner or ownersnone documentation
Car was exported to Britain in 1958 and remained there until a 1977 sale; no specific owner is named for this period.
- 1977 →Private salePentus Brownpartial documentation
Mr. Brown acquired the car in 1977 and ultimately arranged its onward sale through a representative in the early 1990s.
- Date unknownPrivate saleJohn Thornepartial documentation
Texas-based buyer described as the car's first American owner; sold to him by Brown at an unspecified date.
- Date unknownPrivate saleJim Simpson, Contemporary Classicspartial documentation
Texas dealer well known for long-term custodianship of notable show cars; acquired the Alfa via a Brown representative in the early 1990s.
- Date unknownPrivate saleMarco Makaus and Giancarlo Cappa partnershippartial documentation
The pair — a Villa d'Este historian and a respected Milanese restorer respectively — acquired the car from Simpson before selling it onward to Etro.
- Date unknownPrivate saleGerolamo Etropartial documentation
Italian fashion and interior-design entrepreneur who commissioned a full restoration by Cappa in Grigio Metallizzato over beige leather; kept the car meticulously for an extended period.
- Date unknownAcquisition unknownPeter Kalikowpartial documentation
Prominent collector whose holdings are noted for significant postwar Italian coachbuilt examples; stewarded the car after the Etro period.
Competition
- 19491949 Concorso Internazionale d'Eleganza a ComoGran Premio Referendum (public vote award)
The prototype Villa d'Este body on a 6C 2500 Super Sport chassis made its public debut here, winning the people's choice prize and prompting the subsequent limited production run.
Maintenance & restoration
- —RestorationGiancarlo Cappa
Full restoration carried out to a very high standard, finished in Grigio Metallizzato over a Naturale beige leather interior. The original numbers-matching engine, as documented in the authoritative Anselmi register, was retained throughout.
Commissioned by owner Gerolamo Etro; the car is described as not having been exhibited since this restoration was completed.
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