Alfa Romeo 6C 2500 S Turinga

Vehicle Overview

The Alfa Romeo 6C 2500 S Turinga is an exceptionally rare vehicle, with only nine examples built by Carrozzeria Touring in 1944, during one of the most challenging periods in history—the height of World War II. Despite the intense hardships of the time, including frequent bombings and the redirection of resources toward the war effort, limited automotive production continued. The 6C 2500 S Turinga was built with a Berlinetta body style, seating four, and employed Touring’s renowned Superleggera construction method, which combined a lightweight tubular steel framework with aluminum panels for optimal performance and efficiency. The name “Turinga” reflects the political climate of the era. As relations between Fascist Italy and other European nations grew increasingly hostile, Mussolini’s regime unofficially mandated the avoidance of foreign words in favor of Italianized versions. This cultural shift saw several foreign terms and brand names replaced with Italian equivalents: “Inter” (the International football club from Milan) became “Ambrosiana” after Saint Ambrogio, Milan’s patron saint; “Cognac” was renamed “Acquarzente” (meaning burning water); and “Basket” was translated to “pallacanestro.” In line with this trend, Carrozzeria Touring modified its name to “Turinga” to align with the nationalistic drive to remove foreign-sounding names. Despite the tumultuous backdrop of wartime, Carrozzeria Touring’s commitment to innovation and design did not waver. The 6C 2500 S Turinga, with its streamlined Berlinetta body and use of the Superleggera system, stood as a beacon of Italian engineering excellence and resilience. The Superleggera method not only reduced the car’s weight, enhancing its speed and handling, but also exemplified Touring’s ability to adapt and continue producing cutting-edge designs even under adverse conditions. The 6C 2500 S Turinga serves as a rare historical artifact that captures the spirit of its time—a blend of Italian craftsmanship, wartime ingenuity, and adaptation to political pressures. It is a reminder of how Carrozzeria Touring, despite the constraints of war, continued to push the boundaries of automotive design. The few surviving examples of the Turinga are treasured pieces of history, embodying the intersection of artistry, politics, and automotive innovation during one of the most challenging periods of the 20th century.

A very small number of Touring’s cars were badged “Turinga”,  and of these very few were the 6C 2500; only three Berlinetta survive today