The Last Ever 1939 Alfa Romeo 6C

The Alfa Romeo 6C 2300 MM is truly unique, as it’s one of only four Graber-bodied cabriolet versions, as well as the sole example built with the Mille Miglia engine and chassis specification. Having spent its first two decades with the original owner, and another substantial period of its life in a private collection, it is now the only Graber model of this kind to still exist. I was fortunate to see it up close and witness its magnificence at the Concours of Elegance event in 2020.

The Alfa Romeo 6C 2300 MM is truly unique, as it’s one of only four Graber-bodied cabriolet versions, as well as the sole example built with the Mille Miglia engine and chassis specification. Having spent its first two decades with the original owner, and another substantial period of its life in a private collection, it is now the only Graber model of this kind to still exist. I was fortunate to see it up close and witness its magnificence at the Concours of Elegance event in 2020.

Original records from the Swiss carrossier show extensive detail of the car’s original build, and verify its authentic matching numbers and colour scheme of a grey body with red interior trim. The documents from the company, which was based in Wichtrach near Bern, reveal further interesting details, such as who worked on the car and for how long, separated according to skilled workers and apprentices, the average hourly rate, total cost and invoices. They show that 1888 hours were worked, with calculated costs of 4854 Swiss Francs. The Alfa was then sold for 5500 SF.

The car’s first owner was Martin Müller, CEO of Bruggmuehle Goldach, one of the great Swiss wheat mills. He took delivery of it in 1940 and kept it until his death in 1958. Two Swiss owners later, the Alfa went to Italy in 1964 and in the late 1980s it became part of the famous Righini Collection. The current owner bought the car directly from here in autumn 2013. He subsequently decided to return the model-which remained in virtually complete form －to its absolute original condition, to best show off Grabers typically restrained but innately stylish lines.

This painstaking restoration took place from 2014 to 2017, and integrated every suitable authentic part. Only the rotten wood from the ‘torpedo’ had to be totally replaced; the entire plate and aluminium elements could be saved, and only a few further parts had to be remade. Even the original registration plate – SG-4189 – is still in use by the family Müller. The work was carried out by experts, and coordinated and managed by Alfa specialist Jürgen Graumann. 

A solid showing in various concours since then – including Pebble Beach and Masterpieces at Schloss Dyck – has underlined this model’s special place in Alfa Romeo history.

ENGINE

2.3-litre straight-six, DOHC, 95bhp, twin carburettors.

CONFIGURATION

Front-engine, four-speed manual gearbox, rear-wheel drive, separate ladder chassis, independent front suspension and rear swing axle, hydraulic drum brakes.

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