1931 Alfa Romeo 8C 2300

To continue the success of the 6C 1500 Super Sport and 6C 1750 Grand Sport, Alfa Romeo had Vittorio Jano design an eight cylinder engine with the same features as the 6C models. This 2336 cc engine was mounted on both the short and long wheel-base chassis, including Alfa’a P3 Grand Prix car, to dominate an array of motor sport events.

The 8C straight eight was made from two cast blocks that were attached by timing control arranged at the center of the engine. Attached were light alloy heads, twin overheads cams and a roots supercharger producing around 150 bhp. This engine later grew to 2.9 and 3.2 liters to power the 2900B supercars and the P3 Grand Prix car, which would go head-to-head with the talents of Mercedes-Benz.

The 2300 was made in three different lengths having wheelbases of 2640, 2740 and 3100mm. The shortest of these, called the Monza was used of Grand Prix racing, while the longest complied with the AIACR regulations for events such as LeMans.

After an unsuccessful debut at the Mille Miglia in 1931, the car wons the Targa Florio and went on to upset Bentley’s supremacy at Lemans. From 1931 to 1934 Alfa would claim four victories at LeMans as well as similar serial victories at the Mille Miglia.

Of the 188 2300s, each was different. Most featured graceful bodies from styling houses that masked the potent nature that the car’s competition victories indicated. Design masters such as Zagato and Touring gave the 2300 thier distinct appearance