1934 - 1935 Alfa Romeo 6C 2300 Pescara Touring Cabriolet - Images, Specifications and Information

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Six years after Vittorio Jano's 1500 'six' put Alfa Romeo on the automotive map, the Italian manufacturer launched the fourth incarnation of the engine. After being upgraded to 1750 and 1900, the new version displaced just over 2.3 litres. The engine was very similar to the previous units and was constructed from cast iron and light alloy. The state of the art valve-train consisted of two overhead camshafts actuating two valves per cylinder. In its initial form the 2300 produced just under 70 bhp.

The first car equipped with the new engine was the 6C 2300 Turismo, which was launched at the 1934 Milan Motorshow. This Castagna bodied four door saloon was later joined by the Alfa Romeo constructed Gran Turismo, which was fitted on a shorter wheelbase chassis. A high compression engine producing 95 bhp formed the basis for the sporty Pescara model. Of this high performance just 60 examples were constructed. There was no longer need for a competition version of the 6C, as the marvellous 8C had taken over that position.

Only a year later a heavily modified version was introduced, simply dubbed 6C 2300 B. The engine was only slightly refined, but many of the chassis and suspension components were brand new. Derived from the marque's racing cars, the suspension was now independent all around with wishbones at the front and swing axles at the rear. Another big improvement was the revised aerodynamic styling, which improved top speeds by quite a bit. The line up remained unchanged with the long wheelbase Turismo, and the shorter Gran Turismo and Pescara models.

Minor modifications were made for 1938 when the second series of the 6C 2300 B was presented. The Turismo and Gran Turismo models were now simply known as the LWB and SWB. A class winning performance in the 1937 Mille Miglia led to a name change from Pescara to MM for the high performance version. Production lasted until 1939, when the 2300 B was replaced by the 6C 2500, which would serve up to 1952.

Although the performance of the 6C Alfa Romeo might seem poor for today's standards, they were true exotics in their day. Unfortunately they are often overshadowed by the voluptuous custom coach-built French cars of the same era, but unlike these the 6C managed to combine good looks with a refined chassis and engine.

Featured is a Touring bodied Pescara, which was bought from the factory in August 1935 by Benito Mussolini. Fitted with a unique body Mussolini's Pescara was driven in the 1936 Mille Miglia by Ercolo Boratto, finishing thirteenth after filling up with low quality fuel. It is believed that the Italian leader frequently used his Alfa personally before selling it back to the factory in 1939.

When the current owner bought the unique Alfa Romeo, it was still in original condition. After a careful restoration by Dino Cognolato it is seen here at the 2005 New York City Concours d'Elegance.