Mussolini's sports car for sale

Mussolini owned the car until 1939

A sports car once owned by fascist Italian dictator Benito Mussolini is expected to fetch almost £1m at auction in Cheltenham.

The Alfa Romeo was built by special order in 1935 under Mussolini's personal instruction.

The dark-red, two-seater, 6C 2300 Pescara Spyder goes under the hammer on 27 February at the town's racecourse.

The car was driven by Mussolini's chauffeur in the 1936 Mille Miglia, a 1,000-mile road endurance race.

Damian Jones, motor car specialist at auctioneers H&H, said: "It's a completely unique car - one of a kind.

"Mussolini was effectively responsible for saving Alfa Romeo from going to the wall with state intervention.

"He was a great motorsport and car fan. The car's racing history alone makes it special.

"It has been in Italy for nearly all of its life and has only recently been brought to England for the sale."