A gorgeous coachbuilt Alfa Romeo with a notorious past has won top honors at the sixth annual Salon Privé Concours D’Elégance, held on June 24 in London. The Touring-bodied 1939 Alfa Romeo 6C 2500 S Berlinetta had been bought new by Italian dictator Benito Mussolini, who gave it to his mistress Claretta Petacci.
The 6C2300 S bested a field of more than 80 cars at the invitation-only concours, held on the grounds of Syon House, the 15th century home of the Duke of Northumberland, a few miles from the center of London. “We are so honored to have brought together such a stunning collection of beautiful and historically significant cars for the 2011 concours, which included amazing collections of sports cars, touring cars, racing cars and motorcycles,” said Salon Privé co-founder Andrew Bagley. “This concours is now truly world-class and an event for the U.K. to be proud of.”
The full list of winners:
Best of Show: 1939 Alfa Romeo 6V 2500 S Berlinetta
Rolls-Royce: 100 years of the Spirit of Ecstasy: 1932 Rolls-Royce 20/25HP Drophead Coupé
Road Racers of the 1950s and 1960s: 1961 Jaguar E-Type OTS
Oddballs: Unique Designs And Concepts With 3 Wheels Or More: 1949 Tatra T600 Tatraplan
100 Years of The Isle of Man TT Mountain Course: Water-Cooled AJS V4 Racer 1939
Steve McQueen’s Machines: Métisse Mark III 1966
Grand Prix Racers up to and Including the 1970s: 1932 Alfa Romeo Tipo B (P3)
The Thirties: 1939 Alfa Romeo 6c 2500 S Berlinetta
Ferrari 250 Series: 1961 Ferrari 250 GT California Spyder
Most Exciting Design: 1961 Aston Martin Db4 Gt Zagato
Biggest “Wow” Factor: Honda CBR1000RR Fireblade
Most Original: 1934 Morgan Super Sports
Best Interior: 1954 Ferrari 250 Europa