For Sale: 1932 Alfa Romeo 8C in Saint Louis, Missouri

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.
TheAlfa Romeo 8Cwas 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. However, both the engine and chassis soon vanished.
Fast forward to the 2000s when parts from 2211127's chassis 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 plate 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 powerplant that was ultimately completed by Jim Stokes Workshop in Waterlooville, England. A magnesium, 2.6 competition spec crankcase wearing assembly number 88 was used in the build among various other true 8C componentry. A full addendum and breakdown of the engine build will be available for viewing upon request.
While in New Zealand, the rolling chassis was fitted with the motor, an original bonnet, 6C 1750 gearbox, original steering box, an 8C rear axle, and an original grille. When the car left Auto Restorations, it was finished to the same specifications of a Corto (short chassis) 8C 2300, leaving the shop in the same condition 8C's once left the Alfa Romeo factory before receiving coachwork.
The body the car wears today, styled as a Zagato Spider, was crafted using the dimensions and construction techniques from 8C 2111034, a car that 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 trim completed by Brightworks.
Sitting in the driver's seat, one is immediately met with correct Jaeger gauges 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 2300. This remarkable vehicle was crafted in collaboration with leading experts in pre-war Alfa Romeos, Jim Stokes, and Auto Restorations. 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