Like most great Alfa Romeos, the 6C 2500 was designed by Vittorio Jano, one of the greatest automotive engineers in history, and it derives from the 6C 2300 of 1934.

By the time the engine was enlarged in 1939 the model had won the Targa Abruzzo four times and the Mille Miglia.

The larger car continued that tradition by winning the 1939 Tripoli-Tobruk and taking second place in 1940.

At a time when most British sports cars had pushrod engines and beam front axles, the 6C 2500SS (Super Sport) seemed to come from another planet.

Its dohc engine produced 110bhp, good for 103mph, it had synchromesh on 3rd and 4th gears and the chassis featured all-independent suspension by trailing links and coil springs at the front and swing axles and torsion bars at the rear.

While most 6C 2500s had a surprisingly long wheelbase (118”) the Super Sport had a 106” wheelbase and was over 300lbs lighter.

Even after the war the design was sufficiently advanced for competition versions to take 3rd place...