1933 Alfa Romeo 8C 2300 Roadster

Two four-cylinder blocks were placed end-to-end to create the eight-cylinder engine that powered the Alfa Romeo 8C 2300. It had twin overhead camshafts, hemispherical combustion chambers, a 10-main-bearing crankshaft that was split in the middle, and a pair of gears at its heart driving the camshafts. With assistance from a twin-lobe Roots-Type supercharger driven at 1.33-times crankshaft speed, the all-alloy DOHC engine offered approximately 142 horsepower at 5,000 RPM. Production of the 8C 2300 lasted from 1931 through 1935, while the even more expensive 8C 2900 (2,905cc engine) was built from 1936 to 1941. A total of 188 examples of the 8C 2300 were built. In competition, the 8C 2300 Spider won the 1931 and 1932 Targa Florio races in Sicily, and the 1931 Italian Grand Prix at Monza (the source of the 'Monza' specification for the twin-seater Grand Prix car). The 'Le Mans' specification debuted in 1931 at the Eireann Cup driven by Henry Birkin, and it won the 24 Hours of Le Mans in 1931 to 1934.

The Corto (short) chassis used a 2.75-meter wheelbase and the Lungo (long) version rested on a 3.1-meter platform.

This particular Cabriolet wears coachwork by Figoni, before he was paired with backer Falaschi (to create Figoni & Falaschi). Figoni bodied seven examples of the 8C 2300, with all of them shipped as knocked-down kits to France and assembled there under Alfa Romeo auspices. Three are lost to history and four examples survive in original forms.

This Alfa Romeo rides atop chassis number 2311212 and is powered by engine number 2311212. It began life as chassis number 2111025 and was ordered with Figoni coachwork. The design included dual rear-mounted spare tires, unique windshield wipers, Vaumol leather upholstery (an expensive feature), and a two-tone paint scheme with 'sweep panels.' It is believed that the car was first registered in September 1932 and the body was completed a few months later, in December.

Early into the vehicle's life, it was given engine number 2311212, front axle number 2161144 (from the 8C driven by Raymond Sommer at Le Mans), and steering box number 2151150. At some point in the car's life, the car was given a Paris firewall plate stamped with chassis and engine numbers 2311212.

The car's original owner was Roger Goldet (registered 1613 RG) who would return the car to Figoni on several occasions for additional work. Around 1935 the car was sold into new custodianship, with one tale saying that it was purchased by Raymond Sommer (who also owned 2311212). Around 1962, it was purchased by Antoine Raffaelli who sold it in 1965 to Paul Sac, who had it refinished in two shades of blue by a coachbuilder in Turin by the name of Savio.

The Alfa remained with Mr. Sac for over two decades before it was sold in 1987 to Robert Rubin of New York. Mr. Rubin undertook a complete restoration with the noted Alfa Romeo 8C specialist, Chris Leydon. While the work was underway, the chassis number 2111025 was discovered on the front of the frame (passenger side) which was typical for French-delivery cars. Another number was located in an unusual location behind the driver (2221106-). Upon completion, the car wore a dove grey exterior with scarlet hues. Before the work was completed, the car and an Alfa Romeo 8C 2900 were exchanged by Mr. Rubin for a Maserati 8CTF. The car's new owner, Nick Haley, had Mr. Leydon complete the work.

When the restoration was finished, the 8C 2300 was shown at various events and was driven over 20,000 miles before it was acquired by the current custodian in the early 1990s.

By Daniel Vaughan | Dec 2022