Mussolini’s Mistress’s Alfa Romeo 6C Heading to Auction

The Alfa Romeo 6C 2500 Sport Berlinetta by Touring once owned by Mussolini’s lover Claretta Petacci is heading to RM Auctions’ Paris sale in early February 2015.
During the war, Benito Mussolini gifted his mistress Claretta Petacci with this rare Alfa Romeo 6C for her private use with it being chauffeur-driven by Franz Spogler. This particular Alfa Romeo 6C 2500 Sport Berlinetta by Touring was the very vehicle used by Petacci and her family to attempt to find refuge across the Italian border in 1945 but they were stopped at the border.

After the war, an American army officer purchased the 6C and had it shipped to the U.S. It was re-discovered in 1970 on a New York State farm and has been fully restored by Francesco Bonfanti and in 2007, walked away with ‘Best in Class’ at the Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este as well as ‘Best in Show’ at the 2011 Salon Prive Concours d’Elegance.

Discussing the car, car specialist at RM Auctions Europe, Augustin Sabatié-Garat said, “Few cars that have passed through our hands have had quite the important historical context that this Alfa Romeo can boast. “It played a role in one of the most important moments of the Second World War, and is a fascinating footnote in 20th century history. That it is also one of the most desirable of all pre-war Grand Touring cars and beautifully restored by the world’s leading marque expert, makes it an unbelievable prize for any serious collector.”