OUT OF THE SHADOWS
For almost four decades, Alfa Romeo built a range of charismatic six-cylinder cars, some for racing, some for sporting use on the road, and some for pure luxury. The 6C first appeared in 1927, with a classic overhead-cam 1.5-litre engine, designed by Vittorio Jano and based on the P2 racing car’s. A year later, the 1500 Sport arrived: the first Alfa with a twin-cam engine, it set the scene for all that followed.
y 1929, capacity had increased from 1487cc to 1752cc, and power from the original’s 44bhp to 55bhp. But the really exciting cars were the Gran Sport Testa Fissa editions, with a monobloc (hence the name, ‘fixed head’) engine, and a supercharger. With 102bhp, these cars were capable of more than 100mph.
This generation was known as the 4th Series, of which 99 were built. Gone was the vertical radiator, replaced with a raked-back one that made the body look sleeker. This car, chassis 8513025, is the 25th 1750 Gran Sport built, notable for its rare supercharged Testa Fissa engine. How rare? Most Alfisti believe there were 12 in total (ten 1500s, two 1750s); Alfa Romeo itself claims six.
The financier RC Stewart commissioned the car for his hired gun, one Captain George Eyston. Eyston was.
