Alfa Romeo 6C2500 "tribute" to chassis 915007. It is not the only similar tribute car that exists today so there is a chance of confusion even today as to which car we are looking at when we are lucky enough to come across one. This is the first time I have seen this car and it was very nice!
I do not know which chassis was used to build this car during somewhat recent years. I've not inspected it closely but my camera saw a few interesting things at the Concours. The chassis is stamped with an engine number in a non-typical location for any number on a 6C chassis. That number is "923882" and it is not in a font style typical of Alfa Romeo so I presume it to be a more recent legal "convenience" than indicative of actual early history. Nevertheless, it may be an interesting clue? Engine 923882 has been reported in the past but the data is confused and uncertain so I cannot be certain enough of details to share them here.
The front suspension units on chassis (engine) "923882" are from a somewhat early 6C2300B Pescara, probably dating from 1935 or perhaps 1936.
The Milano plate number (MI49865) was first issued 18 June 1934 to a Fiat 508 (Balilla) berlina but the number became available for reuse when that car was sold to another area of Italy where new plates were issued for it. Milano was the only locale (1928-1940circa) in which plates were actively re-issued ... so as to not issue any plate numbered higher than the highest number issued in Rome. This was because of an edict/law that came from Mussolini's fascist desire to promote Roma as being more important than other areas of the country. In any case, the Milano plate MI49865 was issued again on 14 March 1939 to the Alfa Romeo 6C2500 chassis 915007 and, if all was done in normal fashion at Alfa Romeo, we might presume that the legal identity was adopted for one car that went through some visible changes. Chassis 915007 is reported to exist today so we may presume that this car is not 915007 despite the license plate used for display.
The body is a faithful copy of that which was made by Touring for use on chassis 915007 in 1939 and 1940. Some changes were made between its two racing appearances as a berlinetta. Chassis 915007 had already raced earlier in 1939 in the Tobruk-Tripoli race with a spider body fitted. To be more precise, it was the same chassis identity and registration in use from the Tobruk Race (2nd overall with Biondetti and a spider corsa body) to Le Mans 1939 (Biondetti/Sommer with berlinetta body) and then to the Gran Premio di Brescia delle Mille Miglia of 1940 where the car (in updated berlinetta form) was 8th overall.
Historically and technically, many questions remain, but there is no doubt that it is very nice to see this car in the flesh today, no matter the specific origins of the components used to build it. Veramente bella!
