The most expensive car ever sold at auction in Cheshire-Alfa Romeo

Mussolini's car attracts £550,000 at auction

The Alfa Romeo 1935 6C 2300 Pescara Spyder once owned by Benito Mussolini

An Alfa Romeo once owned by fascist dictator Benito Mussolini was sold at auction for a world record price of £550,000 on Monday at an auction in Cheshire. Andy Goodwin looks at the ten most expensive cars ever sold.

Mussolini's Alfa Romeo-The Most Expensive Car Ever Sold-Front Left View

The 6C 1935 Pescara Spyder 2300, which was used to drive the Italian leader through crowds, attracted only a handful of bids on an auction in February and its owner decided to look elsewhere. A private buyer has paid more than half a million pounds for Alfa Il Duce now- a record for this model.

 

Mussolini's Alfa Romeo-The Most Expensive Car Ever Sold-Rear View

Damien Jones, a spokesman for H & H classic auctions based in Hatton, Cheshire, place high value down to the original bodywork of the car and racing history, rather than the connection Mussolini. He said: "The price was more to do with the Touring body, which was a unique design for this chassis, along with the fact that the car competed in the Mille Miglia.

Mussolini's Alfa Romeo-The Most Expensive Car Ever Sold-Front View

"The owner wanted guaranteed entry to a Mille Miglia retrospective and priority is given to cars that were actually used in the original event.

Mussolini's Alfa Romeo-The Most Expensive Car Sold On eBay-Interior Seats View

"Although the car is one of 60 first generation models, the body is unique. We had four offers in total, but the car went to a UK collector who wishes to remain anonymous."

Mussolini's Alfa Romeo-The Most Expensive Car Sold On eBay-Front Left View Picture

The Spyder was built in 1935, with its engine tuned from 68bhp to 95bhp. He had an extra outboard folding "Dickey" seat fitted. It was conducted in the 1936 Mille Miglia, the 1,000 miles open road endurance race, the driver of Mussolini and former Alfa Romeo test driver Ercole Boratto.

Mussolini's Alfa Romeo-The Most Expensive Car Sold On eBay-Front Left View

Archival footage shows the dictator saluting crowds as he was in the passenger seat, with flowers and bouquets strewn on the bonnet. When the car was offered at auction in Cheltenham in February, attracted a highest bid of £ 450,000 and the owner chose not to sell.

Mussolini's Alfa Romeo-The Most Expensive Car Sold On eBay-Left View