1939 Alfa Romeo 8C 2900B Berlinetta

Chassis number 412024 was the second Touring Berlinetta and is believed to have been delivered new in Italy. By 1939, it was in Great Britain and was offered by dealer Jack Barlett with approximately 5,000 miles on the odometer. Shortly after the conclusion of World War II, the car remained in Mr. Barlett's care. Lord Ridley acquired it in the early 1950s and made improvements to help with rearward visibility. Ownership later transferred to Nigel Mann, who sold it in 1976 to a Dutch individual. It remained in his care for four decades before being brought to auction in 2019.

By Daniel Vaughan | Sep 2021

Like a 16th century master, Alfa Romeo developed and perfected their skills, ultimately resulting in the 1938 Alfa Romeo Tipo 8C 2900B Berlinetta. In its day it was simply the fastest and most elegant high-performance automobile, some would say, of all time.

The 8C 2900B was born of Alfa's desire to continue dominating Italy's Mille Miglia race. They also needed a production car to replace the 8C 2300. Never was dual-purpose practicality more exquisitely wrought.
The 2900 chassis was that of Alfa's most recent Grand Prix car which also provided the supercharged engine. Three cars were entered in the 1936 Mille Miglia and finished in order.

A few more than thirty of the road-going 2900Bs were produced between 1937 and 1939 in two versions. Initially, the 112-inch wheelbase Corto and then the eight-inch-longer Lungo.