Vehicle Description
Monza and Milan, Brescia and Rome, Nuvolari and Campari; while
these names might evoke images of Northern Italian cities or even
an Italian aperitif, for our purposes their significance lies
elsewhere. They are all connected to a legendary machine from Milan
that has cemented its place in automotive history. The Coppa 1000
Miglia, more popularly known as the Mille Miglia, held its first
race in 1927, and in the first four years, Alfa Romeo won three of
the four renditions. The small displacement, supercharged 6C's
dominated the roads between Brescia and Rome each spring. The 1931
edition saw a new competitor, a 7-liter supercharged Mercedes-Benz
SSKL, that won the race outright. Alfa Romeo felt the pressure to
excel into a new echelon of 8-cylinder automobiles and thus the 8C
2300 was born. The Alfa Romeo 8C was a supercar of its day. The
Vittorio Jano-designed 8-cylinder engine was a masterpiece of
engineering with its twin overhead camshafts and gear driven
supercharger. The 8C in its many iterations dominated both single
seat and sports car competition and evolved into some of the finest
road going machines of the time, becoming the very first winner of
the Grand Prix World Championship. The 1932 racing season was
especially successful for the 2300 as it won Le Mans, the Spa 24,
Targa Florio and Mille Miglia. Over the course of its racing
history, the 2300 established a record comparable to Ettore
Bugatti's dominant Type 35. According to Simon Moore's The
Legendary 2.3, chassis 2211127 was initially built as a Letourner &
Marchand coupe. Although much of its early history remains obscure,
it is known that the car was involved in an accident in 1934,
prompting the owner to replace it with a Bentley. After the war,
the 8C reportedly resurfaced in Bolsover, England. With its engine
removed from the chassis for rebuilding, the engineless 8C
reportedly vanished at the hands of scrappers, and presumed to be
broken up. Fast forward to the 2000s when chassis parts believed to
be from 2211127 were discovered and sent to the revered Auto
Restorations Ltd. in Christchurch, New Zealand to be utilized in
the build of a new car. The chassis number is attributed to a
number on the right rear dog leg of newly constructed chassis
rails. The heart of the car, Vittorio Jano's twin cam,
eight-cylinder masterpiece, was truly a passion project. Years of
searching, buying, and trading until enough components were amassed
to create an 8C rolling chassis. The powerplant that was completed
by Jim Stokes Workshop in Waterlooville, England utilizing a
magnesium, 2.6 competition spec crankcase among various 8C
components reported to be original. A full addendum and breakdown
of the components believed to be original will be available for
viewing upon request. While in New Zealand, the rolling chassis was
fitted with the motor, an original bonnet, 6C 1750 GTC gearbox
(nearly identical to those fitted to a 2.3), original steering box,
an 8C rear axle, various chassis components, correct Bosch
components, instruments, and an original grill. When the car left
Auto Restorations, it was finished to the same specifications of a
Corto 8C 2300, leaving the shop in the same manner 8C's once left
the Alfa Romeo factory before receiving coachwork. The body the car
wears today, styled as a Zagato Spider, was meticulously crafted
using the dimensions and construction techniques understood through
a thorough study of 8C 2111034, a car that successfully competed in
three Mille Miglia races. The coachwork was completed by Gary Yates
in England, who constructed the running boards, wings, front apron,
radiator surround, scuttle, and main body tub. Once the coachwork
was finished, DL George Coachworks handled the electrical work,
light mechanical tasks, paint, and final assembly. The car was
painted a stunning navy blue, with the plating completed by the
experts at Brightworks. Sitting in the driver's seat, one is
immediately met with correct Jaeger instruments and a Siata damper
adjustment knob. Adding a distinctly Italian flair, the gated
shifter features etched Roman numerals to indicate the shift
pattern. Gary Maucher Auto Upholstery completed the wine-red seat
that compliments the exterior marvelously. Additionally, while the
car was being completed at DL George Coachworks, the previous owner
was gifted an original 8C seatback that will accompany the car in
the sale and finished in the same wine red as well! The culmination
of nearly twenty years of dedicated effort by an ardent Alfa Romeo
enthusiast has resulted in this exceptional 8C. This remarkable
vehicle was crafted in collaboration with leading experts in
pre-war Alfa Romeos, Jim Stokes, Auto Restorations, and David
George. Undertaking such an extensive project today would be nearly
impossible. The privilege of hearing this Italian masterpiece's
supercharged, gear-driven engine roar to life is unmatched, and the
thrill of experiencing its power at speed is truly unparalleled.
Offers welcome and trades considered. For additional details please
view this listing directly on our website
https://hymanltd.com/vehicles/7735-1932-alfa-romeo-8c-2300-zagato/
