Alfa Romeo 6C

Infobox Automobile
imae =
name = Alfa Romeo 6C
manufacturer = Alfa Romeo
parent_company =
aka =
production = 1925–1954
assembly =
predecessor = Alfa Romeo RM
successor = Alfa Romeo 1900
class = Luxury car, Sport car, Racing car
body_style =
layout = FR layout
platform =
engine = 1.5 L 1487 cc I6
1.7 L 1752 cc I6
1.9 L 1917 cc I6
2.3 L 2309 cc I6
2.5 L 2443 cc I6
(road cars)
transmission =
wheelbase =
length =
width =
height =
ground_clearance =
front_track =
rear_track =
weight =
top_speed =
fuel_capacity =
related =
similar =
designer =

The Alfa Romeo 6C name was used on road, race and sports cars made between 1925–1954 by Alfa Romeo. 6C refers to a straight 6 engine. Bodies to these cars were made by coachbuilders such as James Young, Zagato, Touring, Castagna, and Pininfarina. Starting from 1933 there was also a 6C version with a factory Alfa body, built in Portello.

6C 1500 (1925-1929)

In the mid-1920s, Alfa's RL was considered too large and heavy, so a new development began. The 6C1500 was introduced in 1925 at Milan, production started 1927, with the P2 Grand Prix car as starting point. Engine capacity was now 1487 cc, against the P2's 1987 cc, while supercharging was dropped. First versions were bodied by Young and Touring.

In 1928, a 6C Sport was released, with a dual overhead camshafts engine. Its sport version won many races, including the 1928 Mille Miglia. Total production was 3000 (200 with DOHC engine). Ten copies of a supercharged ("compressore", compressor) Super Sport variant were also made.

Variants:

*6C 1500, 44 bhp @ 4400 rpm, Auto kmh|109 (1925-1929)
*6C 1500 Sport, 54 bhp @ 4500 rpm, Auto kmh|125 (1928-1929)- 171 cars
*6C 1500 Super Sport compressore, 76 bhp @ 4800 rpm, Auto kmh|140 (1928-1929)
*6C 1500 TF, 84 bhp @ 5000 rpm (1928-1929)

6C 1750 (1929-1933)

The more powerful 6C 1750 (1752 cc actual) was introduced in 1929 in Rome. Base model had a single overhead cam; Super Sport and Gran Sport versions had DOHC. Again, a supercharger was available. Total production was 369.

Variants:

*6C 1750 Turismo, 46 bhp @ 4000 rpm, Auto kmh|109 (1929-1933)
*6C 1750 Sport/Gran Turismo, 55 bhp @ 4400 rpm, Auto kmh|125 (1929-1932)
*6C 1750 Super Sport/Gran Sport, 64 bhp @ 4500 rpm, Auto kmh|130 (1929-1932)
*6C 1750 Super Sport/Gran Sport compressore,85 bhp @ 4500 rpm, Auto kmh|144 (1929-1932)
*6C 1750 Gran Turismo compressore, 80 bhp @ 4400 rpm, Auto kmh|135 (1931-1932)
*6C 1750 Super Sport/Gran Sport/TF, 85 bhp @ 4800 rpm, Auto kmh|170 (1929-1930)

6C 1900 (1933)

The 6C 1900 (1917 cc) was introduced 1933, now with an aluminium head for the first time. Only 197 copies were made.

Variants:

*6C 1900 GT, 68 bhp @ 4500 rpm, Auto kmh|130

6C 2300 (1934-1937)

The 6C 2300 (2309 cc) was designed by Vittorio Jano as a cheaper alternative to the 8C.

Variants:

*6C 2300 Turismo, 68 bhp @ 4400 rpm, Auto kmh|120 (1934)
*6C 2300 Gran Turismo, 76 bhp @ 4400 rpm, Auto kmh|130 (1934)
*6C 2300B Gran Turismo, 76 bhp @ 4400 rpm (1935-1937)
*6C 2300 Pescara, 95 bhp @ 4500 rpm, Auto kmh|144 (1934)
*6C 2300B Pescara, 95 bhp @ 4500 rpm (1935-1937)
*6C 2300 B Corto/Lungo (1935)
*6C 2300 B Mille Miglia

=6C 2500 (1938-1952)= Introduced in 1938, the 2500 (2443 cc) was the last 6C road car. World War II was coming and car development was stopped, but a few hundred 6C 2500s were built from 1940-1945. Postwar, the first new Alfa model was the 1946 6C 2500 "Freccia d'Oro" (Golden Arrow), of which 680 were built through 1951, with bodyes by Alfa. It was sold to wealthy customers like King Farouk, Alì Khan, Rita Hayworth, Tyrone Power, and Prince Rainier. [One was also featured in "The Godfather" in 1972.] Cite web|url=http://www.italiaspeed.com/2006/motor_shows/geneva/automobile_revue/0903.htm|title=100 years of automobile revue|accessdate=2007-06-07|work=italiaspeed.com]

The 6C 2500 "Villa d'Este" was introduced in 1949 and was produced until 1952, named for the "Concours d'Elegance" held in Villa d'Este;Cite web|url=http://www.supercars.net/cars/1951.html|title=1949 Alfa Romeo 6C 2500 Villa d'Este|accessdate=2007-06-07|work=supercars.net] a Touring Superleggera-bodied version won the prize. Villa d'Este was Alfa's last hand built model, only 36 examples made. The last 6C was produced in 1952, and was replaced by the 1900.

Variants:
*6C 2500 Coloniale 90 bhp @ 4500 rpm (1939-1942), 152 produced
*6C 2500, 90 bhp @ 4600 rpm (1938-1949)
*6C 2500 Turismo
*6C 2500 Sport, 95 bhp @ 4600 rpm (1947-1949)
*6C 2500 Super Sport
*6C 2500 Super Sport Corsa 120 bhp @ 4750 rpmCite web|url=http://www.supercars.net/cars/1571.html|title=1939 Alfa Romeo 6C 2500 SS Corsa|accessdate=2008-08-30|work=supercars.net/cars/] (1939-1953)
*6C 2500 Freccia d'Oro 90 bhp @ 4600 rpm (1946-1951)
*6C 2500 Villa d'Este 110 bhp @ 4800 rpm (1949-1952)
*6C 2500 GT (1950)
*6C 2500 Competizione 145 bhp @ 5500 rpm (1948)

6C 3000 (1950-1954)

A 6C 3000 was prototype made in 1950, basically a 2500 with a 3L engine. It did not appear until 1952, as the CM, built for racing, with a 3.5L engine, in four coupé and two spider versions.

Variants:

*6C 3000 (1948)
*6C 3000 50 (1950)
*6C 3000 CM ("Competizione Maggiorata", 275 bhp, Auto kmh|250, 1952)
*6C 3000 PR (1954)

Notes

References

External links

* [http://www.6c2500.org/ Registro Internazionale Alfa Romeo 6C 2500]