An auto design that makes you kneel - this is one of the most important Alfa Romeo brand qualities that the company chiefs always highlight during the new model presentations.
The catalog of Alfa Romeo creations is very fat. In every page, you could find exciting, fascinating, unique models that in certain times of history, drove auto enthusiasts from all around the world out of their minds. One of these models is this 1939 Alfa Romeo Tipo 256 Cabriolet Sportivo.
As were most Alfa Romeo models at the time, this one was created using a race car skeleton. Enzo Ferrari himself took part in shaping its Tipo 256 sports chassis back when he only dreamed of building his own cars and dominating in motorsports arena. But first, let’s meet a Tipo 256 sibling - Alfa Romeo 6C 2500.
It all started with...
Up until World War II, a few manufacturers dominated the racing tracks: Auto Union, Mercedes-Benz, and, of course, Alfa Romeo.
The Italian car builder was often unmatched, especially when race cars with turbine motors came on a racing track. Still, after the rules changed, an entirely separate series of models was born.
In 1938, Alfa Romeo with great pride presented a brand new model - 6C 2500. What is not so great is that 6C 2500 came out the day before World War II began. As a result, the coupé production was limited significantly.
However, Italians wouldn’t be Italians if they weren’t so stubborn and didn’t try to reach their goals. Enzo Ferrari, who defended the honor of Alfa Romeo racing team, together with talented engineers managed to build around twenty units of Tipo 256 chassis. Still, they were used only for particular races. For example, race cars with Tipo 256 chassis participated in 1939 Mille Miglia and 1940 Le Mans 24 Hours race.
A unique project
915026 - a number inscribed on chassis that to most mean nothing. Meanwhile, Alfa Romeo enthusiasts and historical car specialists would immediately say that this particular chassis was used in races.
Official sources say that in 1939, Mario Tadini won Corsa dello Stelvio tournament driving a car with the same chassis. It is believed that it was the only time when a Tipo 256 chassis with numbers 915026 participated in a race. Mostly because the war adjusted all race schedules, but was it the end of mysterious 915026? Definitely not.
After Mario Tadini won Corsa dello Stelvio race, the car went into the hands of the textile industry emperor Sigfrido Koellike. After less than a year, in 1940, the car was sent to Pininfarina design studio. Their employees were instructed to create something magnificent.
Body lines by Mario Revelli di Beaumont perfectly reflected the tendencies of that time car design. Elegant, sleek, and, at the same time, futuristic elements of this convertible found its buyers rather quickly.
A model born in Pininfarina design studio had a couple of owners that usually preferred to stare at it rather than drive it.
Carl Weber was one of those Alfa Romeo Tipo 256 Cabriolet Sportivo owners that used the car as it was intended to. Because there was a spots chassis under its exterior, Carl took this car to various races and even managed to win some prize titles!
---
Find your dream car among our Car Categories!
