A Classic Alfa Romeo set a record of R2.7 million at a Cape Town car auction, becoming the most expensive Italian car ever sold in the country.
The vintage motor, a 1951 Alfa Romeo 6C 2500, was purchased by a buyer from Johannesburg, according to auction house Bonhams.
The vehicle, which was produced between 1950 and 1952, is a two-door roadster with a 2.4-liter, inline-six engine, producing a top speed of nearly 90 mph.
“This car was in exceptional condition and has been completely restored over a two-year period,” said Bonhams representative Paul Kruger.
The Alfa Romeo had been the subject of a full restoration, with all the original parts being replaced with those that were replicated from the original factory drawings.
The car was also fitted with a newly-built engine and gearbox, and the interior was refurbished with all-new leather upholstery.
The vehicle was sold with a full set of books and tools, as well as a detailed history of the car.
The record-breaking sale is the latest in a series of high-value classic car sales in South Africa.
The previous record was set in 2017, when a 1962 Ferrari 250 GTO sold for R2.5 million.
The Alfa Romeo 6C 2500 has long been considered one of the most desirable classic cars in the world, with only around 200 models produced.
The vehicle is a symbol of Italian engineering excellence, and is highly sought after by car collectors around the globe.
A piece of automotive history, the Classic Alfa Romeo 6C 2500 achieved a remarkable R2.7 million at a Cape Town car auction, becoming the most expensive Italian car ever sold in South Africa and setting a new record for the country. The vintage motor, produced between 1950 and 1952, was purchased by a buyer from Johannesburg and had undergone a two-year full restoration, with all of the original parts replaced by those replicated from the original factory drawings. The car was also equipped with a newly-built engine and gearbox, and the interior refurbished with all-new leather upholstery. In addition, the vehicle was supplied with a complete set of books and tools, as well as a detailed history of the car. As one of only 200 produced, the Alfa Romeo 6C 2500 is widely acknowledged as the epitome of Italian engineering excellence and has become a highly sought-after classic car amongst collectors worldwide.