Alfa Romeo 6C Super Sport from 1929.
Michael emailed these photographs over. He is the History Room senior researcher at RAF Benson in Oxfordshire, and amongst some RAF Benson photographs were these post-war speed trial images. The event was the Gravesend Speed Trial of 1950, but more than that he didn't know. I knew the car was a vintage Alfa Romeo, and sought out some advice on the specific model. I'm advised that UV 818 was a 1929 Alfa Romeo 6C 1500 Super Sport, a car with quite a history. The Alfa was one of four cars imported by F.W. Styles, specifically for competing at the Tourist Trophy, the Irish Grand Prix, and the Brooklands Double 12, winning the latter in 1929.
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The first photograph shows the Alfa Romeo with a bearded gentleman behind the wheel - does anyone recognise him? In the background are some interesting 500cc racing cars - from left to right, George Hartwell's Monaco, alongside that either a MkIII or IV Cooper, then a MkII Cooper, and finally what could well be an Iota - Gerry Millington's Milli-Union has been suggested.
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Photo number 2 shows the Alfa with a lady behind the wheel. Feedback so far suggests that her name was Mrs Ruffer, a lady who competed in the 6C several times, and who badly bent this very car at the Great Auclum speed trial, also in 1950. The car in the background is believed to be the Barnato-Hassan Bentley (sporting a different radiator surround nowadays).
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The final photo in this set shows the same gentleman stood with two ladies, the blonde-haired lady is believed to be the driver in photo no.2, ie Mrs Ruffer. A second Alfa Romeo 6C is also in shot.
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If anyone can help with further information on the people shown above, or the Alfa Romeo, please do get in touch. Thanks go to various posters on the VSCC forum for their help in identifying the car, and shedding some light on the personalities.
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Return to vintage motoring photos - Page 10.
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Other pre-war Alfa Romeos on this site include a 6C 1750 Zagato of 1930, and a 1935 8C-35.
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