1933 Alfa Romeo 8C 2300

Alfa Romeo's ability to remain at the forefront of international motor racing was the result of the engineering genius of Vittorio Jano, beginning with the straight-eight cylinder P2 which won the first World Championship ever in 1925. The 6C 1500 that followed was first unveiled at the Milan Show in April 1925 and would set new standards for lightweight, high-performance motorcars. The water-cooled, double-overhead-cam, 6-cylinder engine displaced 1,487cc and produced 76 horsepower. Engine displacement grew to 1,752cc in 1929 resulting in the 6C 1750 Series, the 1,917 cc version in 1933 (6C 1900), the 2,309cc in 1934 (6C 2300), the 2,443cc in 1938 (6C 2500), and 2,955cc version in 1948 (6C 3000).

The first road-going eight-cylinder Alfa Romeo model was introduced in 1931 and served as a successor to the 6C 1750. Benefitting from a design courtesy of Vittorio Jano, the 8C 2300 was a series of high-performance cars capable of sustained full-throttle running on high-speed roads. During the first half of the 1930s, the 8C was a dominant force in motorsports competition, winning the 24 Hours of Le Mans on four occasions, three consecutive wins at both the Mille Miglia and Targa Florio, as well as back-to-back wins at the 24 Hours of Spa. The 2.3 also led Alfa Romeo to develop the Monoposto Tipo B, or P3, which dominated Grand Prix racing, capturing 46 wins between 1932 and 1935.

For the Italian Grand Prix at Monza, Alfa Romeo entered a specially prepared short-chassis spider whose oil tank was relocated from the nose to the center of the chassis, and four Siata dampers were mounted at the rear. The modified bodywork featured an external exhaust pipe traversing the length of the car, a slotted and cowled radiator, and a pointed 'torpedo' tail carrying a large fuel tank. Capari and Tazio Nuvolari drove the modified 2.3 to victory at the Italian Grand Prix, earning it the name - Monza. Many of the Monzas were built by Scuderia Ferrari, and Alfa Romeo did offer a few Monza models to a select group of customers who required a competitive factory-built racing car.

The straight-eight, twin-overhead-camshaft engine powering the 8C 2300 was, in effect, two four-cylinder units built in tandem with the cam-drive gears amidship. The bore measured 66mm and the stroke of 88mm resulting in a displacement size of 2,336cc. The twin-lobe Roots-type supercharger was driven at 1.33-times crankshaft speed, helping to generate approximately 142 horsepower at 5,000 RPM. The Corto (short) chassis had a wheelbase size of 2.75 meters, and the Lungo (Long) version was 3.1 meters. The suspension was by semi-elliptic leaf springs, the stopping power was by four-wheel drum brakes, and the transmission was a four-speed manual.

The versatile 8C 2300, built in three distinct series through 1934 and could serve as a luxury car or a thoroughbred racer. In total, approximately 188 examples of the 8C 2300 were built.

In 1933 the straight-8 engine was enlarged to 2,557cc with the bore measuring 68mm and the stroke at 88mm. Known as the 8C 2600, its output was rated at 215 horsepower. The 8C 2900 followed in 1935 and would be built through 1938. The 2.9-liter engine used two Roots-type superchargers and two updraught Weber carburetors to produce approximately 220 horsepower at 5,300 RPM. The 8C 2900B version that followed made some concessions to comfort and reliability, with the engine slightly detuned and the compression was lowered from 6.5:1 to 5.75:1. Output was not stated at 180 bhp at 5,200 RPM. The 2900B chassis was available in two wheelbase sizes, with the Corto (Short) measuring 110.2-inches (2,799mm) and the Lungo (long) at 118.1 inches (3,000mm).

by Dan Vaughan

Spyder by Touring
Chassis number: 2211102

Just 188 Alfa Romeo 8C 2300 were built between 1931 and 1933. The model's eight cylinder, 2.3-liter engine was the work of renowned engineer Vittorio Jano. It was essentially two four-cylinder engines aligned in a row, with a Rootes type supercharger, delivering over 165 horsepower. Because of the low production run, the Alfa Romeo 8C 2300s are among the most sought after prewar Alfas. In short wheelbase 'Monza' form, they were very successful in Grand Prix races in the hands of Tazio Nuvolari and Luigi Chinetti, and they helped Alfa team manager Enzo Ferrari establish his reputation. This Touring bodied 8C with chassis number 2211102, previously won its class at Pebble Beach in 1985. Other styling houses that bodied 8Cs included Zagato.

Castagna Cabriolet by Castagna
Chassis number: 2311214
Engine number: 2311214

The Alfa Romeo 8C 2300 is considered one of the best sports cars built in its time. It was designed by Vittorio Jano, who created a straight-8-cylinder engine of light alloy with twin overhead camshafts, one carburetor, and a Roots supercharger on a stiff chassis. The engine was capable of 142 bhp and delivered speeds exceeding 100 mph. This particular example is a third series Alfa Romeo 8C 2300, one of 89 built in 1933 on a long chassis. Stylist Emilio Castagna of Milan's Carrozzeria Castagna & Company was responsible for the coachwork of this car. Castagna was famous for the luxury bodies it produced for major Italian and German automakers. Their work adorned upscale models such as Isotta Fraschini, Alfa Romeo, and Lancia.

Castagna bodied eight examples of the long-chassis 8C 2300, and each was built to order. This particular example is a four-seater on a third-series chassis. Work was completed in September 1933 and sold new to Erminio Cidonio, a resident of Ravenna, Italy, where it was first registered as 'RA 4373.' It remained in Sig. Cidonio's family's ownership until May 1937, when his brother Giovanni sold it to Giorgio Bottelli. About a year later, the Alfa was sold to a local dealer, Soc. An. Commercio Automobili Perugia, in August 1938. Oliviero Olivieri acquired the Castagna Cabriolet in March 1939 and registered it in Florence as 'FI 25681.' Near the onset of World War II in Europe, the Alfa Romeo was sold to an Englishman and was exported to England.

By June 1941, the Alfa Romeo was in the United States in New Jersey under the care of Frederick MacHugh, a US Navy lieutenant. Keeping it briefly, Mike Caruso of Long Island, New York, became the car's next owner. In March 1942, Haig Ksayian purchased the 8C from George Rand's New York City dealership and entrusted it to the Zumbach Motor Repair Company for service.

In 1951, Mr. Ksayian purchased a second 8C 2300 - a short-chassis Spider with Zagato coachwork. Since the Castagna Cabriolet was in better mechanical condition, driveline components were exchanged between the two cars. Shortly thereafter, the Castagna Cabrio was placed into storage, where it would reside for nearly four decades.

Mr. Ksayian retained both 2.3s until 2001, when they were sold to David Sydorick of Beverly Hills, California. Mr. Sydorick embarked on a restoration of the Zagato Spider, reuniting each 8C with its original driveline components during the process. The Castagna Cabriolet was sold in 2005. Its next owner, Ervin F. 'Bud' Lyon of New Hampshire, commissioned Paul Russell and Company of Essex, Massachusetts, to return the Alfa Romeo to its original splendor.

With assistance from 8C expert Simon Moore, it was determined that several period updates to the car had been performed, possibly by Castagna during the mid-1930s. Traces of the original body lines were discovered during the disassembly phase. Additional research and deliberation resulted in a decision to return the car to its original 1933 configuration, rather than its updated mid-1930s form.

Upon completion, the car wore a two-tone period color combination of dark blue and claret. The interior was given leather upholstery, a Bakelite steering wheel, and a correct cracked finish dashboard.

The Castagna Cabriolet made its restoration debut in 2008 at the Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance, where it participated in the Tour d'Elegance® and won First in Class for European Classic Open 1922–1934. In 2009, This Alfa-Romeo was offered for sale by Gooding & Company at their Pebble Beach auction and sold for the sum of $4,180,000, inclusive of buyer's premium.

This Alfa Romeo is powered by a 2,335cc dual overhead camshaft inline eight-cylinder engine with a gear-driven Roots-Type supercharger and a single Memini carburetor. It produces 150 horsepower at 4,800 RPM. There is a four-speed manual gearbox, four-wheel mechanical drum brakes, and a live rear axle with semi-elliptical leaf springs and shock absorbers.

Spyder by Touring
Chassis number: 2211094

This very original and beautiful Alfa Romeo 8C 2300 (chassis 2211094) was delivered to its first owner in Sardinia in 1933. The Touring-bodied Spider was then sold to another Sardinian Alfa Romeo enthusiast just as war broke out, and he kept the car safely out of harms way until peace returned in 1945. The car was sold in 1949 to Alfa collector and racing driver, Frank Griswold, winner of the 1948 US Grand Prix at Watkins Glen. Griswold entered the car in the 1949 Bridgehampton Races, and it was after that race that Alfa collector David Uihlein bought car and treasured it for the next five decades. The Spider lived in his garage in Milwaukee, and Uihlein drove the car in a number of races and road tours over many miles in the United States. The car has not been restored and displays the sort of patina that derives from lavish amounts of care and attention.

Spyder by Touring

This particular 8C2300 Touring Spider was delivered new to Switzerland and was originally owned by Walter Grosch of the Swiss Grosch & Greif Department Store empire. He participated in the 24 Hours of Spa in Belgium and the Coppa di Prinicipessa die Piemonte in Italy in 1933. From the 1950s until 2002, the car was owned by a Swiss owner, who started a restoration but never got around to completing it. The current owner had the car fully restored by Dino Cognolato in Padova, Italy from 2005 to 2008.

Spider Corsa
Chassis number: 2211109

This Alfa Romeo 8C 2300 Spyder was built by Zagato in 1933 and delivered to the French racing driver Raymond Sommer in Paris. Sommer modified the car by fitting a set of separate tear-drop fenders and a longer tail that had been designed by Joseph Figoni and used on his LeMans-winning Alfa Romeo in 1932. Sommer and Tazio Nuvolari drove this 8C in 1933's 24 Hours of LeMans, which they went on to win. Two weeks later, with its original Zagato panels refitted, Sommer and Henri Stoffel finished second in the 24 Hour race at Spa-Francorchamps. Afterward, the car was returned to Alfa Romeo and sold to Tazio Nuvolari, who used it as his personal car for the next two years. In 1936, when Nuvolari came to New York for the Vanderbilt Cup, he brought the Alfa with him. It was later sold by George Rand at Zumbach Motors to Barron Collier, who went on to win the 1937 Mount Washington Hillclimb. Its current owner bought this race-winning Alfa 8C 2300 in 1992 and it was restored in 1994.

The car is powered by a 2.3 liter (2336 cc) 8-cylinder engine coupled to a 4-speed manual gearbox and rated at 165 horsepower. The eight cylinders were divided into two four-cylinder blocks, each mounted under a chrome-covered crankcase. The car was built for speed and got less than 10 mpg.

Zagato Spider

This Alfa was originally registered in Austria as a 2-seater Drophead, converted to a shortened chassis with a Zagato body. It was restored with a Monza style body in the early 90s. It was vintage raced in England with FIA papers. All mechanicals and chassis have matching numbers.

This Alfa is powered by a water-cooled, double-overhead-cam, bi-block, straight-8, 2,556 cc, engine developing between 165 to 178 horsepower. This engine amounts to two light alloy four-cylinder engines set back-to-back with the timing and power drive gears mounted between them. The car is equipped with a 4-speed gearbox and top speed listed at 140 mph.

Roadster

This Figoni Tourer on a long chassis was sold new in France in November of 1933 for 18,750 Francs. The car left France for Switzerland with its original owner in 1939 and the car still retains the original Alfa Paris badge and knock-off spinners to this day. Joel Finn purchased the car in November of 1961 and shipped it to New York, later selling the car in April of 1962 to Standford Landell, a GM executive, who undertook a three-year restoration of the car. When the restoration was completed, Mr. Landell entered the car in the 1965 Carnival of Cars in Detroit where it was judged a 100-point car and won first place in the Classic Car Club Division. In the early 1980s, the car transferred to owners in the U.K., South Africa, and Sweden before landing back in the United States with Henry Petronis in 1988. The current owner acquired the car in 2010 and completed a four-year comprehensive restoration.

The car is powered by a double overhead cam, 2.3 liter, eight-cylinder engine rate at 165 hp, coupled to a 4-speed manual gearbox. The car has a top speed of 115 mph and takes 9.4 seconds to go from 0-60 mph.

Spyder by Touring
Chassis number: 2211107
Engine number: 2.211.107

Alfa Romeo began in 1906 under the name of SAID (Societa Anonima Italiana Darracq). The cars they built were unreliable, underpowered, and unsuited to local conditions. Although intended to increase the fortune of the French entrepreneur Alexandre Darracq, within three years the company was on the verge of bankruptcy. It was reorganized under a different set of initials ALFA (Anonima Lombarda Fabbrica Automobil). Along with the name-change, its cars also evolved. In hopes of changing the car's image, the company went racing beginning in 1911.

Designed by Vittorio Jano as a replacement for the 6C 1750, the racing versions of the 8C 2300 had multiple wins at LeMans, Spa, Targa Florio, and the Mille Miglia. Built from 1931 to 1934, the chassis was fitted with stunning coachwork by Touring, Zagato, Brianza, Castagna, Figoni and others.

The 8C 2300 was given some of the most advanced automotive technology available, including the legendary supercharged dual overhead camshaft straight eight. It was arranged as two four-cylinder blocks in tandem with the gear-train drive ascending between the blocks. The Roots-type supercharger was positioned alongside the engine.

188 examples were built during the production lifespan. This Alfa Romeo is known as the Rimoldi Alfa, named after its owner of over 5 decades. It is a Corto, or short chassis. When new, it was delivered to Carlo Felice Bianchi Anderloni's Carrozzeria Touring. It was first registered to the Alfa Romeo Works in May of 1933, with plate number MI 43454. It later raced, and nearly won, the Monte Carlo Rally of 1935 with Luigi Chinetti and Jean Trevaux driving.

The Alfa later returned to the Works for repairs and sold to a Hungarian individual in late 1935. Early in its life it was owned by Giacomo Brenta of Budapest, then sold to Signor Giulio Rimoldi on April 15th of 1937. It was shipped to England on board the SS Tonbridge and left Calais on May 5th.

While in the care of Signor Rimoldi, the Alfa Romeo received a quilted bonnet cover to help protect the car from the elements. It also received large baggage trunks which mounted upon its running boards. In 1950, the rear-mounted fuel tank was reduced in size in order to accommodate additional room for two children's seats to be fitted in a space just under the rear access hatches. The seats were removed by Rimoldi in 1966 and the access doors were re-attached.

The car remained with Rimoldi until his death in 1988. At the time, it had approximately 60,000 miles on its odometer. In 1989, the car was sold at Christie's Monaco sale where it achieved a world record price. Since then, the car has been used on several long-distance tours and events including the Monte Carlo Rally, Mille Miglia, and Klausen Hill Climb.

by Dan Vaughan

LeMans Roadster

Only eight of these magnificent cars were made on a long chassis to conform with Le Mans race regulations. They competed in Le Mans and were winners in 1931, 1932, 1933, and 1934. They again prove that the 8C 2300 supercharged engine was well ahead of it's time.

Spyder by Touring
Chassis number: 2211107
Engine number: 2.211.107

This Alfa Romeo 8C 2300 was on loan from the Alfa factory to Luigi Chinetti for the 1933 Monte Carlo Rally, and Chinetti and co-driver Jean Trevaux were in the lead when they crashed on the very last lap. The car was subsequently acquired by Giacomo Brenta who returned it to the factory in 1937. Alfa Romeo then rebuilt the engine and sold the car to Peter Rimoldi. A Londoner, Rimoldi used the car extensively before and after the war. He had the fenders fitted with cargo boxes, installed quilted covers on the radiator and hood, and used the car for continental touring. Additionally, the rear luggage compartments were converted into jump seats for his childer. Photos of Peter and his wife Gladys plowing through the snow in the Alps illustrate their intrepid motoring. Rimoldi kept his trusty Alfa until his death in 1988. The care given to the car is reflected in its amazing original condition and it has never been restored. The car is still in use; in 2021 it participated in the Colorado Grand.

Roadster
Chassis number: 2311212
Engine number: 2311212

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 Dan Vaughan

Vittorio Jano was responsible for the design of the magnificent engineering marvel, the 8C 2300. The name was formed by following Alfa Romeo's naming convention; the 8C represented the eight-cylinder engine while the 2300 represented the cubic-capacity. The engine is comprised of two four-cylinder engines with the cylinders aligned in a row. Central gearing drives the overhead twin camshafts. A Roots-type supercharger was used to force air to the carburetor aiding in the production of 140 horsepower. Further modifications to the OHV engine increased the horsepower output to nearly 180.

The first 8C 2300 made an appearance in prototype form at the 1931 Mille Miglia. Two Grand Prix 8C 2300 models were later entered in the Italian Grand Prix at Monza where they finished first and second. In honor of this achievement, Alfa Romeo used the name 'Monza' on all their 8C 2300 Grand Prix vehicles. In 1932 the 8C 2300 became a dominant force, winning at Targa Florio followed by three consecutive victories at Le Mans. It was undefeated at the Grand Prix circuit, defeating the powerful Mercedes SSK and SSKL models and brining an end to their dominance. It achieved many prestigious victories such as the Spa 24 Hours and the Monaco Grand Prix and more. Compliments of the vehicle's capabilities and durability.

The 8C 2300 was available in a wide variety of body styles including short and long wheel-based chassis. The long-wheelbase was dubbed 'Lungo' while the short-wheelbase was 'Corto'. The Lungo models were suitable for traveling on the open roads at high speeds while the Corto models were smaller, lighter, and more agile, suitable for racing, many being prepared by Scuderia Ferrari. The Lungo series produced 140 horsepower with a 4.25 final drive. The Spider Corsas often featured a 165 horsepower engine built specifically to satisfy customer specifications. A 3.76:1 or 4.08:1 final drive was left to the customer to select.

As was customary at the time, many of the automobiles were supplied to custom coachbuilders such as Pininfarina, Figoni, Touring, Castagna, and Zagato. The results were uniquely designed and eloquently outfitted automobiles that were both works of art and high-performance machines.

The 8C 2300 was produced from 1931 through 1933. During their production life span, only 188 examples were produced. By today's standards, many 8C 2300 models easily sell for over a million dollars.

8C 35

The Alfa Romeo 8C-35 was a Scuderia Ferrari works car which raced at Monza, Modena, Nurburgring, Lucca, Monaco, and more. They were driven by famous drivers such as Dreyfus, Farina, Brivio, and Nuvolari.

One of the most historical races for the 8C-35 was at Coppa Cieno. Nuvolari's Alfa Romeo Tipo C 12C-36 suffered a broken transaxle after only two laps. He ran to the pits and got into an 8C-35. By the time Nuvolari re-entered the race, he was already seven laps down. By the time the race concluded, Nuvolari was in first place.

8C 2900

The 8C 2900 was built in two series, the 2900A and the 2900B. The 8C represented the engine size, a straight-eight powerplant while the 2900 represented the size of the engine, 2905 cc. The engine was created by mounting two four-cylinder alloy blocks on a single crankcase. With the twin Roots-type superchargers attached, the 2.9-liter engine could produce between 180 hp for the 8C 2900B and 220 hp for the 8C 2900A. The suspension was all-independent with wishbones in the front and the rear had swing-axles.

The Alfa Romeo 8C 2900A was a two-seater with Grand Prix-style bodywork. They were purpose-built to race and win at Italy's famous Mille Miglia. In 1936, three examples were entered and were able to capture a first through third finish. A year later, they repeated their success again capturing the top three places. The success of the 2900A spawned the decision to create a road-going version that Alfa Romeo could supply to its customers. The 8C 2900B models were built upon two different wheelbases and had bodies that were very aerodynamic. Similar to the 2900A mechanically, the 2900B models were given a de-tuned engine that produced 40 horsepower less than the 2900A but still fast enough to be claimed the fastest production vehicle in the world with a top speed of nearly 110 mph. The Corto was short 2800mm wheelbase version while the Lungo was the long 3000 mm wheelbase version. As was customary at the time, custom coachbuilders were often tasked with building the bodies. The 2900B had most of its coachwork handled by Touring of Italy. The vehicles could be purchased in Berlinetta, Roadster, or Spyder bodies. These supercars were not only fast but they were expensive too. Since they were mechanically capable to match most vehicles on the racing circuit, many of the 2900B models were raced. Alfa Romeo constructed 13 examples of the 8C 2900B but with the 220 hp engine and most with Roadster bodies. In 1938 and in 1947, the 2900B with the 220 hp engine was able to capture the checkered flag at the Mille Miglia.

During its production lifespan, only 41 examples were produced. Three wee type 8C 2900 A with the remaining being the type B.

8C 2900B Spyder

Evolving from the successful 1936 8C 2900A, the 2900B is the highly cultured son of the grand champion athlete. Hidden under the long and graceful hood lives an engine with a racing heritage. The 2900 cc straight eight-cylinder supercharged masterpiece features dual camshafts, dual magnetos, and dry-sump oiling. Despite reduced compression compared to 2900A, it still produces an astounding 180 horsepower, delivered through a four-speed gearbox.

Two of Italy's finest designers provided appropriate coachwork for the 2900B, Carrozzeria Touring, and Stabilimenti Farina. Only thirty examples were produced and each is somewhat unique.

by Dan Vaughan