Petrolicious’s 2015 feature profiles a rare Italian sports-racing special with an unusual arc: built around Alfa Romeo power for competition, fitted with a Cadillac engine after arriving in the United States, then restored to its original Alfa configuration and kept in use. The feature reports that only three Nardi-Danese 6Cs were made.
A small postwar venture and a competition-minded car
Enrico Nardi began his automotive career at Lancia in the late 1920s as an engineer and test driver, and later worked with Scuderia Ferrari, according to Petrolicious’s March 9, 2015 feature. Nardi and Renato Danese established their venture in 1948, building race cars, prototypes and limited-production specials.
The Nardi-Danese 6C was one of those specials. Petrolicious describes it as a 1948 car built for the 1948–49 Mille Miglia and Targa Florio. Its reported lightweight, hand-built Corsa-Barchetta body surrounded an Alfa Romeo 6C 2500 overhead twin-cam dry-sump marine engine. The feature gives that engine’s output as 145 horsepower.
Those details make the car’s purpose clearer than its rarity alone: it was conceived as a competition machine, not simply as a road car wearing an evocative body. The three-car production figure, intended events and engine specification are claims made by Petrolicious; the available account does not independently establish every chassis-level detail.
#1 Best Overall
- HIGH QUALITY MATERIAL: Made of high quality steel, durable and practical, hand welding process, smooth surface, antique style
- HOME ORNAMENT: abstract art design, distinct layers, simple and fashionable line outline, outstanding three-dimensional sense, strong texture, enjoy the beauty of life, make your home simple and individual
- PERFECT DECORATION: hand painted, old craftsmanship, polished edges, smooth, does not hurt hands. This metal retro car model has movable tires and is a great decoration for photo props, Christmas decorations, home decor, decorations, display cases/hotels and clubs, room table top decoration
- PERFECT GIFT: Creative retro car models are a great collection for retro lovers; also a perfect birthday or holiday gift for husband, dad, boyfriend; great decoration for your desk or coffee table
- AFTER THE SALE: Since our products take for a long time during transportation, if some products have obvious damage, you can contact us before writing comments, we will replace new products or refunds
From Alfa Romeo power to a Cadillac engine
Petrolicious says American owner Perry Fina bought the car in 1950 and campaigned it in the United States. In the early 1950s, a Cadillac engine replaced the Alfa Romeo unit. That change marks a distinct period in the car’s life: its configuration shifted from the original Alfa-powered special to a machine adapted for its American owner.
The feature does not provide a full, independently documented race-entry record or explain the circumstances behind the engine change. It does establish the broad sequence—Fina’s purchase and U.S. campaigning, followed by the Cadillac substitution—as reported in 2015.
Rank #2
- AUTHENTIC REPLICA: Die-cast metal 1:43 scale model of the 1953 Cadillac Series 62, featuring detailed exterior finish and classic vintage styling.
- FUNCTIONAL FEATURES : Working doors that open and close, plus pull-back action mechanism for interactive play.
- QUALITY CONSTRUCTION : Built with die-cast metal body, rubber tires, and precise plastic components for durability and authentic look.
- PERFECT SIZE : Measures 5 inches in length, making it ideal for display or play while maintaining impressive detail.
- REALISTIC DETAILS : Features authentic chrome trim accents, detailed interior, and period-correct wheel designs true to the original 1953 Cadillac.
DeLuna’s restoration returned it to Alfa configuration
Later owner Richard DeLuna restored the car to Alfa Romeo engine configuration, while retaining its original Nardi competition steering wheel. Petrolicious reports that the ground-up restoration required 2,700 man-hours. That figure belongs to the feature’s account of this particular restoration, rather than a general estimate for work on similar cars.
Putting the Alfa engine back is more than a mechanical detail in the story. It reconnects the restored car with the configuration Petrolicious describes as its original competition setup, while the preserved steering wheel keeps a visible piece of its Nardi-era identity.
Recommended Free Tools
Rank #3
- Brand new 1/24 scale diecast car model of 1948 Chevrolet Aerosedan Fleetline Dark Red Metallic die cast model car by Motormax. Brand new box.
- Opening doors & hood
- Size 8x3x2.5 inches
A restored car still driven in events
Petrolicious portrays the restored Nardi-Danese as an active historic-event car, naming appearances at the Goodwood Festival of Speed, Tour Auto and Monterey Historics. These are appearances reported at the time of the 2015 feature, not a current event schedule or evidence of later participation.
DeLuna’s description of driving it captures why the car’s continued use matters: “I go back 30, 40, 50 years when I’m driving it,” he says. “You put a helmet on with some goggles, this is the way it was…even though you’re driving on the road you feel like you’re driving on a racetrack.”
Rank #4
- Features a classic old-style body with movable wheels，the bronze and iron-grey classic antique cars are a great piece of art with a sense of time.
- PERFECT HOLIDAY GIFT- Perfect for Home or Bar Decoration andGreat Birthday or Chrismas Day Father's Day Gift for Vintage Car loving friends.
- VINTAGE CAR MODEL- It is Used for the decoration of cabinets or shelves in the home or bar , the bronze and iron-grey classic antique cars are a great piece of art with a sense of time.
- PERFECT SIZE - The 1:32 scale accurately represents the original 1920s style of this iconic vehicle.
- Product Size: 7.8 x 3.3 x 4inchs ,Net Weight: 0.88 lb
That sense of immediacy is the through-line in Petrolicious’s portrait: a rare special whose history includes competition intent, a period engine change, a restoration to Alfa Romeo power and continued participation in historic motoring events.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- AUTHENTIC REPLICA: Die-cast metal 1:43 scale model of the 1953 Cadillac Series 62, featuring detailed exterior finish and classic vintage styling.
- FUNCTIONAL FEATURES : Working doors that open and close , plus pull-back action mechanism for interactive play.
- QUALITY CONSTRUCTION : Built with die-cast metal body , rubber tires, and precise plastic components for durability and authentic look.
- PERFECT SIZE : Measures 5 inches in length , making it ideal for display or play while maintaining impressive detail.
- REALISTIC DETAILS : Features authentic chrome trim accents, detailed interior, and period-correct wheel designs true to the original 1953 Cadillac.
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
The Tool Desk
Outbyte PC Repair FREERepair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →Outbyte Driver Updater FREEFix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesFind Drivers →
