Original SS specification engine and factory correct color combination
Sold new in the US; known ownership history
Accompanied by personal correspondence from Carlo Felice Bianchi Anderloni
Carefully restored by marque specialists in 2007; acquired by Davis in 2008

THE LAST HANDBUILT ALFA ROMEO

For Alfa Romeo, the 6C 2500 was the swan song of an era. When it debuted in 1939 with the third series of Vittorio Jano's legendary straight-six engine, the engineers involved could never have imagined that it would ultimately herald the end of hand-built production for the brand.

Capable of reaching 100 mph, these cars benefited from four-wheel independent suspension and were available in a handful of tuning levels, ranging from the adequate 87-horsepower Turismo to the 110-horsepower Super Sport to the track-ready Tipo 256 with 120 horsepower. These versatile engines were a delight for Alfa Romeo's discerning customers, especially when combined with the creative minds of Europe's best body shops. In fact, by the end of the production run in 1952, more than 100 body styles had been offered on the 6C 2500 platform.
In 1949, Alfa Romeo and Carrozzeria Touring of Milan debuted a new shape on the 6C 2500 chassis, widely regarded as one of the most elegant coachbuilt sports cars of the immediate post-war era: the Super Sport Berlinetta Coupe 'Villa d' Este. The name “Villa d'Este” came about after this beautiful Touring Superleggera design won the Concorso d'Eleganza at the historic Villa d'Este resort on Lake Como in northern Italy.
This body style was available on various 6C chassis configurations, although the "standard" Villa d'Este order was equipped with the Super Sport engine and associated 108-inch chassis. The size was scaled up to 118,1 inches for the regular Sport chassis, and the rarest configuration was the 128-inch "Lungo" Turismo chassis with a large rear seat. All in all, these special 6C 2500 editions were exceptionally expensive, regardless of the body style chosen. Very few were produced and even fewer have survived to the present.

A TEXAN MILLIONAIRE IN ITALY

According to the 1989 correspondence in the file of Touring Superleggera designer Carlo Felice Bianchi Anderloni, the one offered here was "Experimental Sport Series Type IV, triple-carbureted touring (long) chassis 918100" completed on April 15, 1952 and covered in gray over blue leather with a matching convertible soft top. It was purchased new shortly thereafter by James Omar Radford of Abilene, Texas on factory tourist registration "EE 4926". A millionaire and heir to a vibrant grocery and real estate wholesale business, Radford lived most of the year in Hollywood and did business as a film producer. In June 1952 his mother died and his access to the family fortune was henceforth unrestricted; he appears to have celebrated this fact by purchasing a new 6C 2500 (chassis 918094) later that same month.

Just a few years later, this remarkable Villa d'Este Cabriolet would have been handed over to notable Southern California architect William Kesling - no doubt prior to the financial fortunes he experienced in 1962. The next registered owner was LH "Bud" Von Nordheim of National City, California in 1972. Registration records show that Von Nordheim kept the car in good condition until August 1979, after which it was laid up in a state of partial restoration on his property until was rescued in 1987 by Alfa Romeo enthusiast David Skora of Escondido, California. Photos in the file show that the car had by then been painted several times since 1952, but nevertheless retained much of its original blue interior under a light-colored hood and rode on a set of Borrani wire wheels (which have been kept by later owners to the present). .

FROM DAVID TO OSCAR

An extensive compendium of invoices covering Skora's entire ownership shows that he did much to bring the car into running order. He also tried to discover its important history and unique configuration by writing to co-owners of the 6C 2500, brand historians and even Anderloni.

In 1997, Bruce Robertson of Lake Forest, Illinois found this 6C 2500 Villa d'Este Cabriolet in the middle of a total restoration originally commissioned by Skora. Although Skora intended to paint the car black with a red interior, Robertson's purchase saw it returned to its factory-correct color combination and completed to the highest standards by Eric Roseneau.

The car arrived from Roseneau's estate in 2003 and immediately claimed the awards for Best Alfa and Best of Show at the Detroit Concorso d'Italia. Robertson later exhibited the car at the Amelia Island Concours d'Elegance and several local events around Chicago during his ownership, before selling this beautiful Alfa Romeo to Oscar Davis in 2008. but carefully maintained in its beautifully restored condition.

Every year, the famous Villa d'Este Hotel hosts a gathering for the remaining examples of this extremely sought-after model, which they playfully call "the most exclusive car club meeting in the world." At the time of cataloguing, chassis 918100 is believed to be one of the few surviving examples produced in this specific specification. As such, this 2500 1952 GT Villa d'Este Cabriolet would certainly be a welcome and highly anticipated entrant - one of the many exciting opportunities that will be available to the next owner.

Metropole is unique: a 30.000m2 automotive experience with over 2 cars and trucks. The museum is open Friday, Saturday, and Sunday from 400:10 AM to 00:16 PM. The showroom is open Wednesday through Friday from 00:10 AM to 00:17 PM, and Saturdays from 00:10.00 AM to 16.00:25 PM. We are located XNUMX km from the German border and are easily accessible by highway.
We can also arrange transportation for the car worldwide.

We speak Deutsch, we speak English, and of course also Dutch.