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.
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
