Alfa Romeo introduced the 6C 2300 in 1934 as the replacement for its 6C 1750 and 6C 1900. Intended as a more accessible alternative to its exclusive 8C, the latest 6C model was developed under Alfa Romeo’s brilliant engineer Vittorio Jano, featured a 2.3-liter twin-cam inline six, and was offered in three distinct variants: Turismo, Gran Turismo, and Pescara.

The year 1935 marked the debut of the 6C 2300 “B” series, which featured a completely redesigned chassis, modeled along the lines of the contemporary 8C 2900. This thoroughly revised model featured front and rear independent suspension, hydraulic brakes, and an improved gearbox with synchromesh on the top ratios. These technical advances afforded a significant improvement in ride quality and greatly enhanced the car’s overall performance.

As with its predecessor, Alfa Romeo offered the 6C 2300B in three versions: long chassis (Turismo/Lungo), short chassis (Corto), and high-performance short chassis (Pescara/Mille Miglia). Although some bodies were built in-house at the Portello works, most examples were sold as bare chassis to be bodied by prestigious coachbuilders like Castagna, Pinin Farina, and Touring. In total, Alfa Romeo built fewer than 900 examples of the 6C 2300B through 1938, when the model was replaced by the 6C 2500.

This 6C 2300B, chassis 814047, is an example of the first-series, long-chassis model known as the Turismo, of which 81 examples were built during 1936 and 1937. Supplied new to the renowned Carrozzeria Pinin Farina of Torino, this chassis was fashioned with a one-of-a-kind Cabriolet body penned by Count Mario Revelli di Beaumont, widely regarded as one of the most influential Italian designers of the era. Throughout the mid- to late-1930s, the prolific Count Revelli di Beaumont worked as a freelance designer for several coachbuilders including Pinin Farina, Stabilimenti Farina, and Bertone. Many of the finest Italian bodies built during this period display his unmistakable imprimatur and showcase his affinity for innovative, state-of-the-art technology.

This Pinin Farina Cabriolet is no exception. Clearly influenced by the latest developments in aerodynamic design, it features a streamlined front end with bullet-shaped headlamps and the designer’s signature “bow” nose. The profile highlights the body’s long, rear-hinged doors, pontoon fenders, and hinged windscreen, which can be folded flat over the cowl to create a dramatic, sporting appearance. The folding soft top is power-operated, using an advanced electropneumatic mechanism patented by Pinin Farina in 1934. Even the bumpers and aluminum wheel covers are graceful and modern in appearance, demonstrating the cohesive nature of the design.

Battista “Pinin” Farina was obviously proud of this Cabriolet, as it was photographed soon after completion and illustrated in the February 28, 1938, issue of L’Auto Italiana. Described in Alfa Romeo’s advertising as “Tipo Salone di Berlin 1938,” this car was publicly debuted at the annual International Auto Show, held in Berlin, between February 18th and March 6th, 1938.

Believed to have been sold new in Germany, the Alfa Romeo’s first recorded owner was Paul Schwegler, who, in 1946, registered the car in Zurich as “ZH-17540.” In 1952, while in the ownership of Eugen Szedalik, the Pinin Farina Cabriolet made a brief cameo in the French film Massacre en Dentelles, directed by André Hunebelle. Records on file suggest that the Pinin Farina Cabriolet resided in Switzerland for most of its existence before relocating to France in the 1990s.

In 1996, the 6C 2300B was acquired by one of Italy’s foremost Alfa Romeo collectors, Dott. Luca Savoia. During his ownership, the Pinin Farina Cabriolet was restored by Italian specialists, returning to its handsome original color scheme of burgundy with red leather upholstery and a tan soft top. Following restoration, the 6C enjoyed sparing use before its sale in 2013 to the current owner, a discerning collector with a passion for the finest coachbuilt Italian sports cars.

Combining aerodynamic styling, advanced engineering, and exclusivity, this one-of-a-kind Pinin Farina-bodied Alfa Romeo Cabriolet is the product of a brilliant collaboration between two legendary Italian firms operating at the height of their powers. Having never been exhibited in the US, this unique 6C 2300B is an ideal entrant into prestigious concours d’elegance, where its magnificent design, fascinating details, and period motor-show history position it as a prime candidate for major awards. Furthermore, its history and provenance are well established, supported by a voluminous documentation file and its inclusion in several definitive books on the marque and model, including Le Alfa Romeo de Vittorio Jano and Alfa Romeo 6C 2300 – 6C 2500. Considered together, this is a rare opportunity to acquire a sophisticated prewar Alfa Romeo of style and distinction.