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1937 Alfa Romeo 6C 2300B

Alfa Romeo introduced the 6C 2300 in 1934, and it was the latest iteration of sporting models that had originated in 1925 with the 6C 1500. The work of engineer Vittorio Jano, his P2 and Tipo B Monoposto Grand Prix racing designs of the mid-1920s helped give the Italian firm its meteoric rise to world-class stature. The success on the track fed into its road-going cars, resulting in a fast touring car that was sophisticated and superbly engineered. It was shown in prototype form in April 1925 at the Milan Motor Show and entered production in 1927.

1937 Alfa Romeo 6C 2300B photo
Pescara Berlinetta by Pininfarina
View info and history
Jano selected a displacement size of 1,500cc for the six-cylinder motor as he believed it gave the right combination of performance and lightweight characteristics. These core principles would remain paramount throughout the 1930s as Alfa's six-cylinder range evolved through 1750, 1900, 2300, and 2500 models (again, the model reflected the engine's displacement capacity).

The 6C 1750 had a 65 mm bore, an 88mm stroke, a displacement size of 1,752cc and was introduced in 1929 in Rome. It was produced in six series between 1929 and 1933, with the base configuration having a single overhead cam (SOHC). The Super Sport and Gran Sport versions had a double overhead cam engine (DOHC). Like its predecessor, a supercharger was available.

The final derivation of the original 6C 1500 was the 6C 1900 of 1933, with just 197 examples being built. This was a transitional model before the arrival of the new 6C 2300 was introduced the following year.

1937 Alfa Romeo 6C 2300B photo
Turismo Cabriolet by Pininfarina
Chassis #: 814047
Engine #: 823106
View info and history
Auction entries : 2
Along with the straight 6-cylinder '6C' line, Jano designed a straight 8-cylinder version that would power Alfa Romeo production vehicles from 1931 to 1939. His first straight-eight-cylinder engine for Alfa Romeo had been created in 1924, and in 1,987cc configuration, it powered the P2 race car. The engine had a common crankcase and four plated-steel twoc-cylinder blocks. This was the Jano-designed straight-8, but it would not receive the '8C' designation.

The first '8C' was built in 1931, and it had the same 65mm bore, 88mm stroke, and 2,336cc displacement as the 6C 1750. It had a common crankcase, but now with two alloy four-cylinder blocks, which also incorporated the heads (the heads were not separate, which meant no head gasket failure, although it did make valve maintenance more difficult). The overhead camshafts were driven by a central gear tower, along with the superchargers and ancillaries.

Initially, Alfa Romeo did not intend to sell the 8C to private owners, but by autumn 1931, it was being sold as a rolling chassis in Lungo (long) or Corto (short) configuration. 8C models included the 8C 2300, 8C 2600, and the 8C 2900.

Alfa Romeo 6C 2300
Alfa Romeo produced the 6C 2300 from 1934 to 1938 as a lower-cost alternative to the 8C. Its six-cylinder engine had a 70mm bore, a 100mm stroke, and displaced 2,309cc. The six-cylinder engine had an integrally cast crankcase and cylinder block fitted with an aluminum-alloy cylinder head. With a single carburetor, the engine offered 68 horsepower at 4,400 RPM, and in 'Gran Turismo' configuration, the DOHC inline-6 produced 76 bhp at 4,400 RPM. The 6C 2300 'Pescara' version had double carburetors and produced 95 horsepower at 4,500 RPM.

1937 Alfa Romeo 6C 2300B photo
Pescara Berlinetta by Pininfarina
View info and history
The 6C 2300 made its competition debut in 1934 at the inaugural Giro d'Italia when Gran Turismo models featuring tuned engines and special bodies finished 1,2,3. This accomplishment, tuned engines, and special coachwork would become the basis for the top-of-the-range 6C 2300 Pescara version. Between 1934 and 1937, approximately 185 examples of the 6C 2300 Pescara models were built (it is believed that 115 of those were 6C 2300 'B').

The year 1935 marked the debut of the 6C 2300 'B' series, which included a completely redesigned chassis modeled along the lines of the contemporary 8C 2900. It came with an independent suspension, an improved gearbox with synchromesh on the top ratios, and hydraulic brakes. Along with an increase in performance, these updates afforded a significant improvement in ride quality. Like its predecessor, the 6C 2300B was offered in three versions: long chassis (Turismo/Lungo), short chassis (Corto), and high-performance short chassis (Pescara/Mille Miglia). In total, Alfa Romeo built fewer than 900 examples of the 6C 2300B through 1938, when the model was replaced by the 6C 2500.

Some of the bodies for the 6C 2300 and 6C 2300B were built in-house at the Portello works, but most were sold as bare chassis to be bodied by independent coachbuilders such as Pinin Farina, Touring, and Castagna.


by Daniel Vaughan | Dec 2023

Related Reading : Alfa Romeo 6C 2300 B History

The 2.3-liter version of Vittorio Janos engine was a continuation of excellence and perfection. The 1500 was the first increment, and it truly created recognition for the Italian based manufacturer. The 1750 and 1900 soon followed, then came the 2300 which offered just over 70 horsepower initially. Its construction was very similar to its predecessors, utilizing two overhead camshafts actuating....
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Related Reading : Alfa Romeo 6C History

The Alfa Romeo 6C 2500 was introduced near the end of the 1930s. The 6C name was derived from the engine size, an inline-six while the 2500 represented the engines cubic-centimeter displacement size. The engine was a version of Vittorio Jano designed a six-cylinder engine. The 6C was available in a plethora of body styles and wheelbases and was produced during two different times in history.....
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Related Reading : Alfa Romeo 6C 2300 B History

In the early 1930s, Alfa Romeo was in financial trouble. It was rescued by the Italian government who took control of the company in 1933 through the Istituto Riconstruzione Industriale (IRI). The day-to-day operation of the racing program was given to Enzo Ferrari. With the racing program well managed and the concerns of the marketplace put to rest, the Alfa Romeo engineers were free to create....
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1937 Alfa Romeo 6C 2300B Vehicle Profiles

1937 Alfa Romeo 6C 2300B vehicle information
Turismo Cabriolet

Coachwork: Pininfarina
Chassis #: 814047
Engine #: 823106
1937 Alfa Romeo 6C 2300B vehicle information
Pescara Berlinetta

Coachwork: Pininfarina

Recent Vehicle Additions

Performance and Specification Comparison

6C 2300 B

Specification Comparison by Year

Year
Production
Wheelbase
Engine
Prices
115.16 in.
6 cyl., 140.36 CID., 80.00hp
115.16 in.
6 cyl., 140.36 CID., 80.00hp

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