To Be OFFERED AT AUCTION at RM Sothebys' Milan event, 22 May 2025.

• The 64th of approximately 102 Gran Sport examples built
• Formerly owned by famed Silicon Valley venture capitalist Thomas Perkins
• Retains its matching-numbers engine
• Inspected and serviced in 2023 by marque specialist Jim Stokes Workshop
• Driven by Phil Hill at the 1985 Monterey Historic Races; presented at the 1985 Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance
• Highly eligible for major vintage motoring events such as the Mille Miglia Storica and Le Mans Classic
• A beautifully presented and highly authentic example of Milan’s interwar racing legend

Please note that this lot is subject to an export licence if exported outside of the EU. Interested parties should contact RM Sotheby’s directly to enquire.

Questo lotto è soggetto a licenza di esportazione in caso di esportazione al di fuori dell’UE. Per ulteriori informazioni è possibile rivolgersi direttamente a RM Sotheby’s.

In 1929 Alfa Romeo introduced a 1,750-cc version of its 6C engine, and a legend was born. The 6C 1750 model became a dominant force in under-2.0-litre racing, with the Zagato-bodied supercharged Gran Sport iteration in particular scoring numerous competition wins. Among other victories, the 6C 1750 took top honours in the Mille Miglia in 1929 and 1930, during which Tazio “The Flying Mantuan” Nuvolari and Achille Varzi engaged in an epic duel.

This beautifully presented short-wheelbase Spider is approximately the 64th of 102 fourth-series Gran Sport examples built. Although the early history of chassis number 6C 8513064 is currently unknown, by the late-1960s the car was owned by Alfa Romeo enthusiast Keith Hellon of Mundelein, Illinois. In 1974 Hellon sold the 6C to Jackson Brooks, a marque collector based in Colorado, who was impressed by the car’s completeness and went on to perform a comprehensive multi-year restoration.

After Brooks advertised the Alfa Romeo in January 1981, the car was sold to Thomas Perkins, the ground-breaking venture capital executive often considered to be a founding father of Silicon Valley. Also an avid yachtsman and sports car enthusiast, Mr Perkins featured the 6C in his book Classic Supercharged Sports Cars. In 1984 he sold the Spider back to Mr Brooks, who engaged the highly respected Phil Reilly & Co to conduct a full rebuild of the engine, with specific preparation for vintage racing use.

Following this work, the 6C 1750 was entered in the 1985 Monterey Historic Races, where none other than legendary racing driver Phil Hill piloted the car to a 4th overall finish. A day later the Zagato was presented at the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance, completing a whirlwind weekend at the centre of the collector car niche. Soon after Mr Brooks sold the 6C into a short chain of California-based owners, but it is a testament to the Alfa Romeo’s timeless appeal that Brooks later included the car in his book Cars I Could’ve, Should’ve, Kept, with 8513064 featured as one of the cover stars.

Brooks then sold the Alfa Romeo to Art Valdez of Los Angeles. He retained possession for 11 years, during which time the car successfully completed the Mille Miglia Storica on four occasions. Purchased in 1996 by another California-based enthusiast, the 6C 1750 was presented at Concorso Italiano two years later before passing to a third Golden State resident.

Acquired in early-2012 by the consignor, a discerning collector based in Portugal, chassis number 6C 8513064 was only mildly driven for the following 10 years before it was submitted to respected marque specialist Jim Stokes Workshop (JSW) in 2023. In addition to performing a comprehensive inspection and service, JSW prepared a written report that indicates the Alfa Romeo retains its matching-numbers engine, a significant confirmation of the car’s high degree of authenticity.

This splendid Alfa Romeo offers an ideal opportunity to enjoy an interwar competition spider just as Tazio did, being eligible for exclusive vintage racing events like the Mille Miglia Storica, Le Mans Classic, and many others. Equally suited for exhibition at finer concours events and marque gatherings, this impressive 6C 1750 conjures memories of one of sportscar racing’s greatest eras, offering a superlative addition to any collection.
To view this car and others currently consigned to this auction, please visit the RM website at rmsothebys.com/auctions/ml25/.