Mussolini car goes up for auction

A 1935 Alfa Romeo custom built for Benito Mussolini will be offered for auction, with the price expected to peak around the £800,000 mark.

The unique 6C 2300 Pescara Spyder will go up for sale in Cheltenham, Gloucestershire and experts expect a strong international interest due to both the rarity of the vehicle and the historical significance surrounding it.

Mussolini had mechanics upgrade the performance of the car, raising the engine's output from 68bhp to 95bhp. In total, 60 of the cars were made by Alfa Romeo and Mussolini's is the last surviving one.

Interestingly, the dictator's chauffeur once raced the car in the 1936 Mille Miglia, finishing in 13th place.