Alfa Romeo 6C/Chassis Registry/1500/0211459
Alfa Romeo 6C 1500 S chassis 0211.459
[edit]Alfa Romeo 6C 1500 S chassis 0211.459 is a 1929 second-series short-chassis 6C 1500 S originally delivered to the United Kingdom and later extensively modified by A. J. Phippen.
Factory specification
[edit]- Year: 1929
- Model: Alfa Romeo 6C 1500
- Variant: 6C 1500 S
- Body style: Originally two-seater; later fabric saloon; later open tourer (Phippen rebuild)
- Chassis number: 0211.459
- Registration: UL 1489 (UK)
- Coachbuilder: Originally fabric-bodied; later rebodied and modified by Phippen
- Exterior colour: Red
- Interior: Black
- Pictures documented: Yes
Early history
[edit]Delivered new to the United Kingdom in 1929.
Raced at the Brooklands JCC High Speed Trials on 6 July 1929 by A. P. F. Dempster, owner of Kingston Hill Garage. Period photographs exist showing the original two-seater configuration.
A later photograph (believed late 1930s) shows the car fitted with two-door fabric coachwork.
Phippen ownership and modifications
[edit]By 1939 the car had been acquired by Mr A. J. Phippen of Westbury-on-Trym, Bristol.
In 1943, while under Phippen’s ownership, the car (registration UL 1489) was featured in Autocar magazine (9 April edition).
Phippen converted the car into an open tourer and undertook substantial mechanical and structural modifications:
- Centre cross member moved rearward 8 inches to increase legroom
- Floor lowered beneath the front seats
- Autovac system removed and replaced with electric fuel pump
- Marelli dynamo, starter, switchboard and distributor replaced with Bosch equivalents
- Zeiss headlamps and Lucas spotlights fitted
- Fuel gauge and ammeter added to dashboard
- Twin SU carburettors installed in place of the original Zenith unit
Phippen noted that 4,500 rpm in top gear corresponded to approximately 80 mph, praising the car’s roadholding, steering and sustained high-speed capability.
The car was laid up during the Second World War.
Later ownership
[edit]| Owner | Location | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Mr Kathro | United Kingdom | Recorded in 1953 logbook |
| Marcus Niven | United Kingdom | Owner by 1957; active competition driver |
| Private family ownership | United Kingdom | Purchased November 1961; remained in same family until 2018 |
An invoice from Thomson & Taylor (Brooklands) Ltd to Marcus Niven records an engine rebuild in January 1957.
The long-term family owner carried out an extensive restoration and engine rebuild during the 1970s–1980s and regularly used the car in Vintage events.
After 2010 the car was displayed at the Donington Grand Prix Museum (until 2016).
A recent inspection by Alfa Romeo Pre-War Owners Club registrar Carol Corliss confirmed the car’s originality.
Auction record
[edit]- Bonhams – Goodwood Festival of Speed Sale, 2018
- Estimate: €210,000 – €270,000
The history file included:
- Period photographs
- Restoration documentation (1970s–80s)
- Handwritten rebuild notes
- Expired MoTs (from 1999 onward)
- Journey and mileage records
- Original Alfa Romeo 6C Maintenance and Care handbook
Historical significance
[edit]Chassis 0211.459 represents a well-documented British-delivered 6C 1500 S with confirmed Brooklands competition history and continuous UK ownership for several decades. The substantial Phippen-period modifications reflect period British adaptation of Italian sporting machinery for long-distance road use and reliability.
Registry classification
[edit]- 6C 1500 S (Second Series)
- UK-delivered example
- Brooklands competition history
- Extensively period-modified example
- Long-term single-family ownership (1961–2018)