1931 Alfa Romeo 6C 1750 James Young DHC Turismo

This attractive 1931 Alfa Romeo 6C, chassis no. 0412364, has remarkably been in current ownership since 1958, an impressive 67 years! It is in superb running order with a full engine rebuild (including the fitting of new conrods) being completed by ourselves over the past two years. This is a matching numbers car, still carrying its original and unusual James Young coachwork.

Arguably one of the greatest sports car producers of all time, the name Alfa Romeo was not used until after the First World War, although the marque is said to have existed since 1910. In 1923, Alfa enticed gifted engineer Vittorio Jano to leave Fiat and, as chief engineer from 1925, Jano developed a 1500cc single OHC straight six-cylinder engine, followed by a 1750 version, with both latterly offered in DOHC versions. The ‘6C’ name given to these engines was used on road, race and sports cars produced by the company between 1927 and 1954. The more powerful 1750cc engine in this car was introduced in 1929. Being the 1750 Turismo model, this car has the single overhead cam engine with single carburettor, and a claimed 46 bhp, and near 70mph top speed.

In the early years, most of the cars were sold as rolling chassis and bodied by a number of different coachbuilders such as Carrozzeria Touring, Zagato, Touring Superleggera, Castagna, and Pinin Farina. This car, chassis 0412364, was imported by the famous coachbuilders, James Young, who were the most popular British coachbuilders for these cars. The coachwork takes the form of a very useable drophead coupé, having wind-up windows offering flexibility in all weathers.

The car comes with an interesting history file including a list of previous owners as follows:

• First registered 29 Aug 1931 in Birmingham
• 5-10-1950 Clearwell Quarry Co, r/o Link End, Malvern, Works
• 19-7-1961 Michael J Taylor. Tewkesbury Glos.
• 31.8.1954 Flt. Lieut Michael Townsend RAF. Berwick St James, Nr. Salisbury Wilts
• 26-7-1955 Brian J.E.White Ashurst Green, Kent

The current owner, aged 22 at the time, purchased the car in April 1958 in Epping for £70.0.0, having just graduated in Mechanical Engineering from Imperial College in the summer of 1957 and now working as an Apprentice with Morphy Richards in Kent. For a short period, he used the Alfa to commute to and from work through the Blackwall Tunnel and trips with his friends. He then undertook an engine rebuild between December 1958 and November 1960 before the car was placed into storage while other life priorities took over! In 1984, the car was recommissioned and got running before being transferred to the renowned restorer, Arthur Archer of Great Dunmow, for restoration. For a variety of reasons, the progress of restoration was slow, but nonetheless thorough and sympathetic to the origins of the car. For example, the car’s SOHC configuration and original James Young coachwork was retained, and the car was finished in cellulose paint. Having worked for Arthur Archer during the late 1990s, Jonathan recalls this project well!

Since its restoration, the car has been toured both in the UK and on the Continent including a trip to Lake Como in 2010 to celebrate the Alfa Romeo Centenary, and more recently tours to Scotland and the north of England. Indeed, this car has become somewhat recognisable due to its striking blue colour with red wheels and has been enjoyed immensely by its current owner. Parting with something that you have been so fond of for over 60 years is a difficult decision, but one being taken to ensure the car remains cherished and enjoyed.