Alfa Romeo 6C 2500 SS Cabriolet

Vehicle Overview

The Alfa Romeo 6C 2500 SS Cabriolet Pininfarina represents a pinnacle of Italian automotive design and engineering from the late 1940s. Carrozzeria Pinin Farina, renowned for its artistry and innovation, crafted this two-seater cabriolet coachwork during a particularly dynamic era for the design house. The 6C 2500 Super Sport (SS) chassis offered Pinin Farina an ideal platform for experimentation, allowing the Italian maestro to refine the elegant lines and streamlined forms that became signatures of the era. A similar 6C 2500 SS model with comparable styling achieved 1st place at the prestigious Villa d’Este Concours d’Elegance in 1949, underscoring its design excellence. The engineering prowess of Alfa Romeo in this model is notable, preserving its legacy as a brand that consistently delivered driver-focused cars. While the box-section chassis of the 6C 2500 SS was considered traditional by the standards of the late 1940s, it featured advanced handling components, including all-independent suspension, fast-geared steering, and sizable brakes, which collectively enhanced control and stability. The column-mounted gear shift further contributed to its smooth drivability, providing a unique touch that set it apart from other sports cars of the period. Under the hood, the 6C 2500 SS was powered by Alfa Romeo’s refined six-cylinder engine, evolved from race-developed technology. The engine’s 2,443cc displacement was achieved by enlarging the bore of its predecessor, the 2300. This dual-overhead-camshaft engine was available in two configurations: a single-carburetor setup producing 90 horsepower in the ‘Sport’ version and a powerful triple-carburetor option that generated 105 horsepower in the Super Sport variant. This higher output, combined with the car’s reduced weight, enabled the 6C 2500 SS to exceed 100 mph, a remarkable feat for its time. Production of the short-wheelbase 6C 2500 SS chassis continued until 1951, with only 383 units built. While most were bodied as Superleggera coupés by Carrozzeria Touring, Pinin Farina’s cabriolet variants remain some of the rarest and most desirable. Each Alfa Romeo 6C 2500 SS Cabriolet Pininfarina stands as a testament to a golden era of Italian design, blending aesthetic mastery with engineering precision.