Alfa
Romeo derives its name from a combination of the ALFA Company and Nicola Romeo.
Romeo acquired the ALFA Company (Lombard Cars Inc) in 1915. Their early
reputation as builders of solid thoroughbred performers led to postwar
expansion in production. Early production examples include wonderful sports and
racing machines, among them, the 8C 2300.
The
Alfa Romeo 8C family of cars includes both racing and road-going vehicles built
around the Italian manufacturer’s straight 8-cylinder engine.
The
superb 2300 cc engine is the handiwork of Vittorio Jano, who joined Alfa Romeo
from Fiat in 1923. The straight eight-cylinder design uses two identical
four-cylinder blocks, with a dry sump oiling system. The two-piece crankshaft
rides on ten bearings and has camshaft and supercharger drives located
mid-block. It produces 142 horsepower at 5,000 rpm and feeds a four-speed
gearbox. There are large finned drum brakes at each corner.
This
8C 2300 was originally built to compete at Le Mans, where it took 3rd place in
1933. A year later, Vittorini Viotti fabricated a one-of-a-kind coupe body to
replace its racing sheetmetal with an elegant and emotive shape that transports
one back to the heyday of the coachbuilder.
