Alfa Romeo 6C Sport Berlinetta which Mussolini purchased for his lover Claretta (Clara) Petacci was recently sold at auction for $ 2.1 million, and behind it is hidden story of the cruel fate of former Italian dictator. Mussolini gave this car to his mistress in 1939, and in the same vehicle several times tried to escape from Italy at the end of the Second World War.
On the 27th of April, near Lake Como, Benito and Clara moved to “6C” with 110 hp on their way to Switzerland, where they planned to hide, however, their motorcade was soon stopped at the town of Dongo. Fascist leader and his mistress were immediately identified, executed and hung on a nearby gas station, but, the story of their car does not end there.
Alfa Romeo was confiscated, a few years later it was bought by Army Air Corps officer Major Charles Pettit, who transported it by plane on the family farm in upstate New York in 1949. When the Alfa broke down, it layed in the barn next 21 years.
In 1970, this sedan got a new chance, when it was purchased by Ron Keno from Mohawk, N.Y. for $300. Antiques dealer has even managed to get in contact with Franc Spoglerom, a driver who was in charge to carry Mussolini and Clara to Switzerland on that fateful day in 1945. The new owner of the old driver confirm that this is the same car, but Alfa has not wanted to finish its journey.
Partially restored car in 1979, the car was sold it a collector Keno Donnie Morton from Connecticut, who had forwarded it to the “Imperial Palace” collection of cars where it was showcased until 1999, when once again changed hands.
The new owner has taken a serious restoration that cost €500,000 and offered it to RM auction house who recently successfully sold it in Paris for €2.1 ($2,4 million).
