1928 Alfa Romeo 6C 1500C Normale Tourer

• The oldest known surviving 6C 1500
• First owned by Archibald Macnabb, Chief of Clan Macnabb
• Only two owners from new
• Present ownership since the 1950s
• Professionally restored 2014-2017

"The 1750, and for that matter the 1500... must be among the finest ever made both from the point of view of engineering and driver satisfaction." - Michael Frostick, Alfa-Romeo-Milano.
It was Enzo Ferrari, no less, who persuaded Vittorio Jano to leave FIAT's racing department and join him at Alfa Romeo. One of the most gifted and influential automobile engineers of all time, Jano would not only supervise Alfa Romeo's Grand Prix racing programme but also design its road cars. This happy state of affairs resulted in the latter emerging as some of the most exciting of their day, establishing the Milanese marque's reputation for producing sporting driver's cars second to none.

Jano arrived at Alfa in 1923 and by the following year had produced one of the most fabulous racing automobiles of all time: the legendary P2. As well as bringing Alfa much valuable publicity by virtue of its outstanding Grand Prix successes, the P2 provided the basis for Jano's first production model. Announced in 1925 but not produced for another two years, the 6C 1500 was designed as a fast touring car combining light weight with sparkling performance. The latter was achieved courtesy of a 1,487cc inline six-cylinder engine based on the P2's straight eight and producing 44bhp in single-overhead-camshaft Normale form. The cylinder head was non-detachable, being cast in one piece with the cylinder block, and a four-blade fan was driven from the front of the camshaft via a friction clutch. The crankshaft ran in five main bearings and also drove, via a cross-shaft, the water pump and dynamo. Two chassis lengths was offered: 4,052mm (wheelbase 3,100mm) for six- or seven-seater coachwork, or 3,822mm (wheelbase 2,900mm) for four-seaters.
Twin-overhead-camshaft Sport and supercharged Super Sport models followed, the latter being the first of its type to feature the classic open two-seater coachwork by Zagato that is forever associated with sporting Vintage-era Alfas. The 1500's competition career, aided by its mechanical longevity, extended far beyond its production, which ceased in 1929 on the arrival of the 6C 1750.

This 1500C carries its original Vanden Plas four-seater open touring body on the short (Corto) chassis. It is the earliest known 6C surviving. The car currently belongs to the second owner, who purchased it from the first, Mr Archibald Macnabb (22nd Chief of Clan Macnabb) in the late 1950s. Born on 1st December 1886, Archibald Corrie Macnabb spent his entire professional career in the Indian Civil Service, commencing in 1911. He purchased the Alfa new in the UK in 1928 and is said to have driven it overland to India. Indeed, the car still carries a 1942 tax disc from the Punjab! The Alfa and its owner returned by sea from India in the late 1940s. Archibald Corrie Macnabb died on 13th November 1970.
A body-off rebuild of the Alfa commenced in 2014 and was completed in 2017. The works included a complete engine overhaul: line boring, re-boring, modern con-rods and pistons, oil pump modification, etc, all carried out by Jim Stokes Workshops. The gearbox, axle and wheels have also been rebuilt, and a different final drive ratio fitted that is more suited to present-day driving. The upholstery of the body and the all-weather gear were carried out by James Pearce Engineering. Very few miles have been covered since the project's completion in 2017, and some light recommissioning work was carried out by Milford Engineering in 2022.

Accompanying documentation includes an old-style buff logbook (issued 1947) and a current V5C, the latter listing the second owner's daughter as keeper. Reference to this important car is made in marque authority Angela Cherrett's book, Alfa Romeo Tipo 6C (see file).