A 1930 Alfa Romeo 6C 1750 Gran Sport was among the highlights of Bonhams' Grand Maqrques du Monde sale at the Grand Palais in Paris.

It realised $1.3m on February 5.

Former imperial guard Boris Ivanowski raced the Grand Sport around Europe

The car was once owned by Boris Ivanowski, a former member of the Russian imperial guard. After the revolution he fled to Europe, where he established himself as a successful racing driver.

Bonhams explains: "He was a works driver for the British Alfa Romeo Team 'Stiles' and competed in the major events there such as the Brooklands Double Twelve, Irish Grand Prix, Tourist Trophy Race.

"Driving Alfa Romeos to wins in 1929 he went on and won the Spa 24 Hours in 1930 together with Italian Attilio Marinoni and also the Irish Grand Prix in 1930."

The model has passed through the hands of several owners over the years and remains a regular fixture at European Concours and rallies.

Philip Kantor, Bonhams' head of continental European motoring, commented prior to the sale: "This is a pristine and complete Alfa Romeo of the 1930s with a glorious race history, once driven by the world's most famous Russian racer.

"Sympathetically preserved and carefully restored, it's rare to find such an original Alfa."

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