Alfa Romeo 1750cc Zagato replica

Engine number: 101014922

Built around an original Alfa Romeo chassis and powered by a supercharged 1750cc engine dating from 1931, this Alfa Romeo was constructed in its present form between 2021 and 2025 by Oliver Way Design (OWD). It represents the fulfilment of an ambition our client had held for more than half a century.

Oliver Way was the driving force behind the car’s completion. OWD is a restoration specialist with considerable experience of both Bugatti and Alfa Romeo. Oliver and his team combine mechanical knowledge with a craftsman’s eye for shape, proportion and original detail. They brought together the original pre-war 6C 1750 components gathered by our client over many years, turning a long-held ambition into the finished car presented here.

The stunning replica Zagato coachwork was copied from an original Zagato-bodied car that was also in OWD’s workshop during the build, providing a direct reference for the body’s shape and detailing. Original Alfa Romeo components form the basis of the car, with parts skilfully adapted where required to achieve the intended correct configuration.

Since completion, the car has covered approximately 2,000 miles. Oliver competed in the car in the Alfa Romeo class at VSCC Prescott in 2026, where I first became acquainted with it.

A lifelong ambition

The owner’s dream of owning a 1750 Alfa Romeo began in the 1950s. In 1955, he acquired an early Elva and spent his student vacations rebuilding it. Space at home was limited, so one of his father’s colleagues offered room in his garage. Also in that garage was an Alfa Romeo 1750. It made a lasting impression, and the thought of owning one remained with him long after the Elva had been completed and sold.

Years later, while working in Suffolk, he came across an advertisement for an EHP competition car. Crucially, the EHP had been fitted with a replacement Alfa Romeo 1750 engine. For someone hoping to assemble an Alfa of his own, it offered a promising starting point.

Securing the EHP took years of persistence. He retained the owner’s details through changes of job and location, revisiting the possibility whenever circumstances allowed. Eventually, after tracing the owner and arranging to see the car, he was able to agree a deal. The EHP had not run for some time, but its engine started during the visit. With an Alfa engine secured, he turned his attention to finding the other major components, including a chassis and axles.

That proved considerably more difficult than he had expected. Suitable parts were scarce, and the search continued while he was working abroad. During a period based in Milan, contacts among Alfa Romeo enthusiasts led him to a collection of components near Catanzaro, in southern Italy.

The distance from Milan was considerable, and spare time was limited. After corresponding with the seller, he decided to make the journey by overnight train. A helpful English neighbour, Graham Skinner, who worked in shipping, arranged for a local contact to meet him on arrival and drive him to the seller. Graham also offered to help organise shipment if a purchase was agreed.

The visit itself was a leisurely affair. The seller welcomed him into his home, where much of the morning was spent discussing cars before lunch. With a return train to catch, our client eventually persuaded his host to show him the parts. Stored in the basement, these included another engine, a chassis, gearboxes and a substantial quantity of other components. A price was agreed, and the purchase provided much of what was needed to move the project forward.

There is a particularly pleasing detail in the story of the Gran Sport engine acquired near Catanzaro. With help from Angela Cherrett, our client investigated its origins. Some years later, an Australian owner tracked down our client, hoping to reunite the engine with its original chassis, which he owned.

Following some negotiation, an exchange was agreed. Our client received the 1931 1750cc 6C engine that had been fitted to the Australian car. This is the engine now installed, in supercharged form, in the Alfa Romeo offered for sale here.

It may sound like a complicated story, but once you sit in the car, start her and select first gear, all is forgiven, especially when you’re overtaking those modern dishwasher things with no soul.

TH note, I have positioned this 1750 6C just inside our main glazed entrance door with the bonnet up, as a former pattern maker I have to say I appreciate the detailing of the Alfa engine it’s a just a joy to behold, even our detailer is an ex foundry worker, I even caught him enjoying the sight of the engine castings. Then you come to closing the bonnet those bonnet catches are the best I have come across on any pre-war car. I’ll stop here you need to put this car on your drive way…