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Alfa Romeo 6C 2500 Villa D'Este. Bodybuilding Design Exercise by Touring

In the 6s car manufacturers were faced with the challenge of building lighter and more efficient cars with smaller engines. Quite a challenge for the moment since it was about reversing the idea of ​​getting more power by increasing the displacement. In this sense, Vittorio Jano was one of the most prominent designers, achieving with his Alfa Romeo 6C a perfect balance between lightness and power, thus giving rise to a saga in which models as fascinating as this 2500 1951C XNUMX Villa D'Este can be found. .

At the beginning of the XNUMXth century, the most widespread way to gain performance was to increase the engine displacement. A mad rush forward in which the cubicles used to get bigger and bigger. Fact that had an impact on the weight gain of the vehicles, which they gained in top speed what on the other hand they lost in dynamic behavior. In addition, regarding the so necessary and forgotten accounting section, the need for more metal did not augur a competitive future for the brands that remained in this way.

Thus, it was time to rethink engine engineering in a measured sense. Quite a paradox. Since, on the other hand, mechanical progress -as well as the popularization of racing- demanded better and more refined benefits. So how do you solve this dilemma? Spurred on by the challenge, the brands began to test with small engines capable of working at high compression. Just the context where Alfa Romeo entrusted Vittorio Jano with the task of inventing "A light vehicle with brilliant performance".

A challenge. Also complicated by the need to conquer new markets. That is, to be not only light and effective with a reduced displacement, but also to offer the reliability and ease of construction necessary in any series car. A squaring of the circle that Vittorio Jano solved in the second half of the 6s with the Alfa Romeo XNUMXCs. Models powered by a six-cylinder in-line that were born with only 1 liters of displacement. The result of mixing a simple design scheme with detailed engineering capable of offering the best weight / power ratio of the moment.

ALFA ROMEO 6C. A SAGA THAT LOOKED FORWARD

With mechanics of up to 3 liters, the Alfa Romeo RL could reach up to 6 kilos depending on the bodywork. However, we must recognize the TF racing version to offer a little more than 1600 on a scale. A contained weight but that in any case needed engines with more vigor. Point at which Vittorio Jano burst in 800 with the first 1925C in history: the 6. A vehicle mounted on a chassis of pressed steel stringers with a 1-liter engine and 5CV at 44 rpm. Figures a priori not very spectacular, but backed by an agile and fast behavior that quickly carved a niche for the 6C in the races.

In fact, the confirmation of Vittorio Jano's achievement came when in 1928 a 1500 Super Sport with Roots compressor won the Mille Miglia thanks to its 76CV. Moment in which the great evolution of Alfa Romeo in the competition was verified, away in just seven years from the resounding and heavy G1 of 1921. In addition, successes in competition helped the development and sale of street models. Just the second requirement that the direction of Nicola Romeo dictated to Vittorio Jano. Knowing that without healthy accounts thanks to a good market share it would be impossible to finance successes in increasingly competitive careers in technology.

In this way, the saga evolved with various street variants and circuits until in 1939 came the third series of the same with the 6C 2500. Undoubtedly the most representative of the model, even having a military variant known as Colonial. A tributary curiosity of the warlike times lived in the heat of the Second World War. After which the 6C returned as a comfortable high-end sports car, bodied by Alfa Romeo itself in the Freccia d'Oro version. First model of the brand after the war, of which almost 700 units were sold.

RELEASED IN THE FIFTY WITH NEW BODIES

Launched in 1946, the 6C 2500 Freccia d'Oro had the same foundation as pre-world war models. In addition, although its 90CV engine was enough to move the whole with joy, the truth is that even visually it was becoming outdated as the XNUMXs progressed. For this reason, in 1949 the 6C 2500 Villa D'Este was presented. A sports car that is also useful for two-person trips with independent suspensions on all four wheels. Which also increased the power to 110CV at 4800 rpm. Performance more in keeping with the times, culminating in a top speed of 160 km / h.

One of the latest variants of the Alfa Romeo 6C 2500, which was named after receiving the popular award at the Villa D'Este Contest of Elegance. Event of international relevance where the main thing is the design of the body. A matter entrusted to Touring, who produced 31 6C 2500 Villa D'Este coupes using the Superleggera system. The type of bodywork made so popular by the Aston Martin DB6 based on mounting alloy panels on steel tubes anchored to an independent chassis.

Something that modernized the 6C 2500 Villa D'Este, although the saga to which it belonged was already coming to an end in 1954 after the experience of the 6C 3000. Swan song of these models based on Vittorio Jano's engine, which represented for almost thirty years one of the most successful and iconic lines in Alfa Romeo history. Something that, in addition, was completed with its use as a base for some of the best Italian designs of the moment. Something that perfectly exemplifies this unit assembled in 1951 and auctioned by RM Sotheby's last June.

Photographs: RM Sotheby's

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Written by Miguel Sánchez

Through the news from La Escudería, we will travel the winding roads of Maranello listening to the roar of the Italian V12; We will travel Route66 in search of the power of the great American engines; we will get lost in the narrow English lanes tracking the elegance of their sports cars; We will speed up the braking in the curves of the Monte Carlo Rally and we will even get dusty in a garage while rescuing lost jewels.

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