76bhp, 2,309cc double overhead camshaft inline six-cylinder engine with four-speed manual gearbox, four-wheel independent suspension and four-wheel drum brakes.
A Beautifully Executed Rebody to Concours Standards, the ex-Bill Jacobs 1939 Alfa Romeo 6C 2300 B Short Chassis Spyder Coachwork in the Style of Touring
In the twenties and thirties Alfa was equivalent to today?s Ferrari, and more, supplying not only competitive rides for the best drivers but also a steady stream of beautifully engineered and constructed cars for private entrants.
When the company, which employed thousands of artisans, mechanics and functionaries to build only a few cars, encountered the inevitable financial difficulties, it was bailed out by the State. Instead of being directed to downsize and build saleable automobiles to generate cash flow and keep those thousands employed, Italy directed Alfa to build great racing machines to demonstrate Italy?s technology and competitiveness on Europe?s race courses. Production shrank, but the few cars that were built were the best in the world.
Alfa Romeo?s racing history came into its own when ALFA, (Anonima Lombarda Fabbrica Automobili) along with its chief engineer Giuseppe Merosi, came under the control of Nicola Romeo in 1915. After the First World War Merosi designed the RL and with it a sports version which won the Targa Florio, Circuito di Cremona and Coppa della Consuma in 1924. The RL was a commercial success: over 2600 were built from 1922-1928, Alfa?s most successful single model for the next generation. Merosi followed the RL with a Grand Prix design, the P1, a 1990cc dual overhead camshaft six-cylinder which failed to show much pace.
Nicola Romeo, flushed with success in other fields, dispatched a young employee, Enzo Ferrari, to poach a promising designer from FIAT to augment Merosi?s skills. Ferrari succeeded in his mission, bringing Vittorio Jano to Alfa?s works at Portello and establishing the groundwork for two decades of Grand Prix and sports car racing domination by Alfa Romeo.
Jano immediately began work on a new GP car, the 1987cc supercharged dual overhead camshaft eight-cylinder P2, which won its first race at the Circuito di Cremona in 1924 and went on to dominate GP racing through 1925. Commercial expediency then intervened and Jano was assigned the design of a new Alfa Romeo road car.
In a time when automobiles were exotic and often idiosyncratic creations, the products of Alfa Romeo were finely crafted works of art, elegant in conception and executed with due regard to combining function with exquisite form. Virtually every important piece was produced in house in Alfa?s fabrication shop, pattern works, foundry and machine shop. The product of artisans, each of whom took pride in the performance, reliability, quality, execution and appearance of his separate creation, these Alfas also reflected the overall responsibility of Engineer Jano who continually tested, evaluated and improved their performance until they met his high, and growing, standards.
Debuted at the 1925 Milan auto show, the 6C 1500 set new standards for lightweight high performance road cars. Its production was delayed for over a year by another round of financial contretemps during which Nicola Romeo ceded control of his industrial complex to an Italian state-owned organization, the Istituto di Liquidazione. Introduced with a single overhead camshaft, Jano had provided for a twin cam head in the original design and it was introduced in 1928, followed by the slightly larger 1752cc 6C 1750 in 1929. The 6Cs were the mainstay of Alfa production during the period, being fitted with everything from lightweight spyder coachwork from Zagato and Touring to full size sedans by Castagna and Alfa?s own coachworks.
The next evolution of the 6C came in 1934, and although traditional in its layout, the 6C 2300 had nearly twice the displacement of the car it succeeded. Accordingly, it was a highly competent automobile capable of providing excellent performance with multi-passenger coachwork.
The 2,309cc engine in the 6C 2300 featured a one-piece crankcase/cylinder block and aluminum alloy cylinder head. Camshaft drive was by a combination of roller chain and gears. Designed for performance without the complication and expense of superchargers, the 6C 2300 delivered 68 horsepower in Turismo form. The 6C 2300B, introduced in 1938, offered up to 95 horsepower in the short wheelbase chassis.
The chassis itself was built around boxed section frame rails and, unusual for its market niche, featured fully independent suspension. Its brakes (large drums with aluminum cooling fins shrunk around the cast iron drums) were very effective for the time and, like the engine, showed Alfa?s continuing emphasis on performance.
The sporting character of the new 6C was demonstrated by competition success, first in the
Mille Miglia in 1937 where Giovanbattista Guidotti (who had apparently learned well from previous Mille Miglia co-drives with Nuvolari) and Mussolini?s chauffeur Ercole Boratto finished fourth overall behind the Two-Nines of Pintacuda and Farina and the Delahaye of Schell. Guidotti?s drive in the 6C 2300 earned Alfa the important .National Touring. class laurels.
The 6C 2300B chassis is known for its nimble and precise handling and is even more responsive in the short wheelbase. Its fully-independent suspension is at the same time compliant and comfortable making it the ideal vehicle for tours and events. Enjoyment and satisfaction is assured by this example?s high performance 110 horsepower and the long stroke six?s smoothness and torque. Although any 6C 2300B is a pleasure to own and drive, this example?s beautiful coachwork puts it in the company of the finest and most exquisite coachbuilt classics, a standout in any display, vintage race meeting or tour and a classic Alfa Romeo that will bring pride and satisfaction to its owner.
The beautiful Alfa Romeo we have the pleasure of presenting here as one of the highlights of the Ponder Collection is an exceptionally good looking rebody with coachwork in the style of Touring. From information gathered from several different enthusiast sources and clubs, the Alfa was delivered new as a short chassis Saloon. In the 1980s, it was rebodied with the coachwork now fitted to the car and painted blue. At the time, we understand its European owner toured the car extensively on various events including the Mille Miglia retrospective. The Alfa was then sent to auction at Sotheby?s in Europe where it was purchased by its last owner.
Noted collector and enthusiast Mr. Bill Jacobs imported the car to the US and set out on restoring the car. He refinished the attractive coachwork in the period correct dark red color it displays today. Additionally, chrome spears were added to the rear fenders and spats, increasing its outstanding presence. While this car would have originally been fitted with a single carburetor, it has been updated to the more desirable dual carburetor setup as one would normally find on a 2300 MM. The upgrade to this specification further increases the Alfa?s excellent touring capabilities.
Cosmetically, the Alfa Romeo is virtually perfect; it shows little to no wear throughout, it is clean and well detailed from the engine and bay to its rear end. Mr. Ponder has spared no expense in its upkeep and the results speak for itself.
The lovely tan and color matched piped leather interior is also flawless and complement the exterior color perfectly. The Alfa Romeo of the Ponder Collection is lithe, proportionately perfect and utterly beautiful. Rarely does a rebody surpass the original; however in this case, it does so with exceptional grace, looks and performance.
2262 SAT 1939 Alfa Romeo 6C 2300 B Short Chassis Spyder $924,000 Sold
http://www.rmauctions.com/AuctionResult ... Code=GP07#
