Pimp my ride, Il Duce style.

It is a car that oozes power and history.

And despite it's history, you have to admit it is a sweet looking ride.

Specially made in 1935 for Italian dictator Benito Mussolini, this Alfa Romeo 6C 2300Pescara Spyder is set to fetch up to £800,000 at auction.

The rare two-seater sports car was built as a gift for Il Duce after he intervened to stop the car manufacturer going into liquidation during the Great Depression.

Alfa Romeo made just 60 of the 6C 2300 Pescara cars. Chassis number 700635, made for Mussolini, is thought to be the sole surviving Spyder. Mussolini had the engine tuned from 68bhp to 95bhp and had a fold-out "dickey" seat fitted to provide an optional rear passenger seat.

And I found this little factoid regarding fascism and "alternative fuels" fascinating:

The car retains traces of the partial alcohol fuelling system used during the race, when the fascist regime was promoting alternative fuels in the face of stringent petrol sanctions.




Il Duce and his Spyder in happier days.