To Be OFFERED AT AUCTION at RM Sothebys' Paris event, 4 - 5 February 2025.

• A fabulous 6C 1750 Gran Sport with comprehensive history from new
• One of 76 examples constructed in 1931, delivered new to Switzerland; thought to be the 62nd of 106 total cars built
• Powered by its matching-numbers 1,750-cc six-cylinder engine
• Owned by the legendary American racing driver Phil Hill for 30 years
• Wonderfully preserved and sympathetically restored from 2003 to 2004
• Accompanied by a history file containing an expert history report, FIA papers, restoration invoices, and historic images

Arriving in Gonda, Switzerland on 2 October 1931, this Alfa Romeo 6C 1750 Gran Sport Spider was registered to an unknown first owner. On 25 July 1933, the Zagato-bodied car was registered to the first known owner, Marguerite Ulrich, who resided in Blonay, Switzerland. Historian Hans Matti stated in 2009 that the original permis de circulation noted the colour of the car as red. Mr and Mrs Ulrich continued to use chassis 10814362 for trips to and from Germany throughout the 1930s, though the car was de-registered amid the outbreak of World War II. It is said that its owner was so worried about a military invasion that the Alfa Romeo was hidden behind a brick wall at their home.

After World War II, Mr Ulrich passed away and the family home was sold—though with the Alfa Romeo still hidden behind the wall. Louis Visinand rescued this 6C 1750 in 1955. Once freed, Visinand returned the car to running condition and sold it three months later to Jean-Frédéric Buzer, who kept the car for 12 months, before selling it back to Visinand with clutch problems in 1956.

Chassis 10814362 was then acquired by Allan Dulles, who had worked for the Office of Strategic Services, which later became the CIA. He retained this Alfa Romeo for around a year, before selling it to the Swiss racing driver Emmanuel ‘Toulo’ de Graffenried in 1957, who had found an American buyer that reportedly paid 15,000 Swiss francs. The car was noted as having covered around 30,000 kilometres and was very well preserved at this point. It then emerged with dealer Hawley Marion in Costa Mesa, California, from whom the legendary American racing driver Phil Hill purchased this car. Hill had just started racing for Ferrari in Formula 1 and would later claim the 1961 World Championship as well as winning the 24 Hours of Le Mans on three occasions.

Hill was passionate about Alfa Romeos and owned chassis 10814362 for 30 years. It was registered with the licence plate “PMV 789” and retained by the driver until he sold to Bob Rubin of Long Island, New York in 1988. On file are period photographs of Hill with the car. Jeffrey Vogel acquired this 6C 1750 in 1993, and the car traded hands twice more, before being acquired by the consigning owner in 2010.

When with the previous owner, the Alfa Romeo was subject to a highly sympathetic restoration at D. L. George Coachworks in Pennsylvania from March 2003 to January 2004. Over 80 pages of invoices and work sheets detail the work, with the amount exceeding $45,000. The car benefited from a complete overhaul of its running gear and drivetrain, save for the engine, with particular attention paid to preserving the interior and Zagato body. Still sporting its fabulous Zagato coachwork today, this Alfa Romeo retains its matching-numbers engine, and is accompanied by period-correct seats, a detailed report from Hans Matti, expired FIA HTP papers, historic photos, and period articles.

As one of just 106 Alfa Romeo 6C 1750 Gran Sports built, chassis 10814362 is an excellent preservation example, and is sure to catch the eye of discerning collectors seeking to own one of the great pre-war Alfa Romeos.
To view this car and others currently consigned to this auction, please visit the RM website at rmsothebys.com/auctions/pa25/.