The Alfa Romeo 6C 2500 straddled two worlds, not just pre and postwar. Introduced in 1939, it was the last generation of Alfa Romeo road cars to bear the genetic imprint of the legendary Vittorio Jano with his equally legendary race-derived 6-cylinder engine as its beating heart. On the other hand, when production resumed postwar, this final separate-chassis Alfa allowed one last opportunity for Italian coachbuilders to express their flair before the now state-owned brand abandoned coachbuilt exclusivity in its play for a broader market. Perhaps the public sensed the mood of change, for in 1949 two separate Alfa 6C 2500s won both best of show and people’s choice at Italy’s Villa d’Este Concorso Eleganza, the premier cat walk of automotive haute couture. Of course, style without substance is nothing, and built into the 6C 2500 was Alfa Romeo’s motorsport DNA, which under Jano had surmounted the top step of Grand Prixs, Le Mans, the Mille and Targa Florio. With the introduction of the 6C 2500 in 1939, the third series of Jano’s race-bred, aluminum-headed DOHC inline-6 grew to 2443cc. With the enhanced breathing characteristics of its hemispherical combustion chambers, it was high-revving and potent, pushing out 87 HP in single-carburetor Turismo configuration. But in triple-Weber Super Sport trim, as seen here, the 6C 2500SS delivered 105 to 110 HP. The other key characteristic of the Super Sport was its shortened 106-inch wheelbase with a sturdy X-braced ladder-frame chassis featuring advanced all-around independent suspension with parallel trailing arms and coil springs up front and swing axles with torsion bars at the rear. Add the large and powerful hydraulic brakes, fast-geared steering and 4-speed column gear change, and the overall package delivered a superb driver’s car that was compliant and comfortable, with excellent road holding. Moreover, the shorter, lighter 2500 Super Sport was easily capable of 100 MPH. A mere 63 hand-crafted, short-wheelbase 6C 2500SS two- seat cabriolets were delivered in the postwar years through 1951, but even within that exclusive company, this dark blue example with a grained Spanish Red leather interior is further distinguished, as Pinin Farina’s exquisitely restrained styling subtly evolved, even within that short time frame. On this 1949 example from The Rick Grant III Estate Collection, the front bumpers are little more than a vestigial pencil moustache on either side of the Alfa grille, while the rear ones are non-existent. The door handles are recessed and incorporate the key lock, and the semaphore indicators are also recessed. Look at other Pinin Farina 6C 2500SS cabriolets and it’s easy to spot these distinguishing differences. These details undoubtedly enhance the lines and would not have escaped the notice of judges at Pebble Beach in 2008, where this very car was voted Most Elegant Convertible, among its other accolades. The Pinin Farina 6C 2500SS cabriolet cost in the region of $10,000 when new, a very exotic sum indeed. Back then those few who had both the taste and money to acquire a 6C 2500 Alfa Romeo included King Farouk, His Highness Prince Aly Khan, Rita Hayworth, Tyrone Power and Prince Rainier of Monaco. To say this 1949 6C 2500SS Pinin Farina two-seat cabriolet represents an exclusive opportunity is quite possibly a bit of an understatement.
