Dictator’s car for £550,000
THE Alfa Romeo 1935 6C 2300 Pescara Spyder, once owned by Benito Mussolini has been sold for a world record price of £550,000.
A private buyer has paid over half a million pounds for Il Duce's Alfa - a record for that model.
Damien Jones, spokesman for H&H classic auctions, put the high figure down to the car's unique bodywork and racing history rather than the Mussolini connection.
He said: "The price was more to do with the Touring bodywork, which was a unique design for this chassis, along with the fact that the car competed in the Mille Miglia race.
"The owner wanted guaranteed entry to a Mille Miglia retrospective and priority is given to cars that were actually used in the original event.
"Although the car is one of 60 first-generation models, the body is unique."
He added: "We had four offers in total, but the car has gone to a UK collector who wishes to remain anonymous."
The Spyder was built in 1935, with its engine tuned from 68bhp to 95bhp. An extra out-board folding "dickey" seat fitted.
It was driven in the 1936 Mille Miglia, a 1,000-mile open road endurance race, by Mussolini's chauffeur and ex-Alfa Romeo test driver Ercole Boratto.
Archive footage shows the dictator saluting crowds as he stands in the passenger seat, with flowers and bouquets strewn on the bonnet.
2:27pm Thursday 20th March 2008
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