1933 Alfa Romeo 8C 2300 Monza

The 8C 2300 was designed by Vittorio Jano, also the creator of the 6C 1750. Jano joined Alfa Romeo in 1923 and had immediately begun a design program which would ultimately led to the P2 Grand Prix cars. He was also responsible for the use of twin-cam engines in two series of the 6C cars. The 8C 2300 were built by builders such as Scuderia Ferrari.

The engine used was a 2556 cc Supercharged, DOHC, inline 8-cylinder with alloy cylinder block and heads capable of producing 178 horsepower. The engine had two four-cylinder blocks and two cylinder heads on a common crank and crankcase. The supercharger was a Roots-type blower that was positioned low on the right-side of the engine. Air was funneled through a Memini but was later replaced in favor of a Weber carburetor. The responsive and quick engine coupled with a lightweight body made this vehicle a true force to be reckoned with. A four speed manual gearbox and drum brakes were also used. These vehicles were hand-made, and thus production was low.

The Monza version was the special racing derivative. The famous driver of the 1930's, Tazio Nuvolari, drove the Monza during many of his races.

Vittorio Jan's 1929 6C 1750 had been a mechanical jewel with an enviable sporting record, dominating Sport Category racing until 1931. Then later, to maintain the firm's superiority, an eight-cylinder version of the same car, the 8C 2300 appeared.

The 8C 2300 had the same bore and stroke dimensions of the six, but the timing and blower drive gears were mounted between two light allow blocks - basically two four-cylinder engines set back to back. The engine displayed the same remarkable qualities that had made the six famous, such as the ability to start on the first compression - under any circumstances - and a remarkable flexibility that enabled the car to run smoothly at 500 rpm in top gear. The 2600 cc engine had a top speed of approximately 140 mph.

An enthusiast described the sound of the engine as 'symphony in which each gear tooth and roll bearing plays a note.' The Monza version of the 8C 2300 was designed as a two-seat road car and had a more highly tuned engine on a short-wheelbase chassis, plus a distinctive pierced radiator cowl. All that was necessary to make the Monza the fastest sport car of its day was the addition of lights and fenders.