Scott McClenahan -- 1930 Alfa Romeo GS Zagato

One of the most fun aspects of this racing group, year after year, is McClenahan running with his three red headlights blazing.  Your webmaster has no idea why this car has three red headlights in lieu of conventional lighting.  (Explanation below.)

McClenahan finished 9th.
 

Scott McLenahan offers this info on his great car: 

"The Alfa 6C-1750 followed the 6C-1500 and was produced in six series from 1929 to 1933. In total, 2579 chassis were completed and they became the quintessential model for both the amateur and professional drivers. Available in several body styles, most cars were sold as a rolling chassis to be bodied by coachbuilders including Zagato, Touring, Castagna, Ghia, Farina, Pinin Farina, Weymann and James Young. The definitive form of the 6C-1750 was the short chassis Supercharged Gran Sport and Super Sport versions of which approximately 360 cars were made. 

In competition, the 6C-1750 was quite possibly the most successful car/chassis ever manufactured by Alfa Romeo.  In addition to winning the 1929 Mille Miglia, twenty-five out of twenty-six supercharged 1750s completed the 1000 mile course.  During the 1930 Mille Miglia, the 1750 would sweep the first four places in the race and would become known for an epic 6C-1750 duel between Nuvolari and Varzi. Nuvolari overtook Varzi in the pre-dawn with his 1750's headlights switched off and continued to win the race with a finishing time of 16 hr 18 min 59 sec (avg 62.78 mph) making the 6C-1750 the first car to ever complete the 1000 mile Mille Miglia Race averaging over 100 kph.  Other victories included the 1929 and 1930 24 Hours of Spa, 1930 Tourist Trophy, several World Speed Records (2000 cc class) at Montlhery France in 1931 (including 1000 kilometers @ 97.1 mph, 4000 Mile Record @ 93.97 mph and 48 Hour Record @ 94.4 mph) as well as winning numerous other Road Races, and Hillclimbs.

The red headlight covers (removed at night) served several purposes and were used by most Alfa Romeos competing in the pre-war Mille Miglia races.   Being an open road race, the covers protected the headlights from flying rocks, allowed the cheering crowds to easily identify an Alfa as it approached and could be used to distract non-Alfa competitors by turning on those big 12v Bosch lights and tailgating the opposing car.  (Mercedes and Bentley ran 6v lights) 

This particular car won its class in the 1990 Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance and was also the recipient of Automobile Magazine's "True Spirit Award” in 2003 for driving from San Francisco, racing in the Historics, and driving home again… all without using a trailer. 

Next:   George Wingard -- 1914 Mercer Race "450"

Back to:   Al Unser, Sr. -- 1939 Lagonda V12

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