● Built by UK specialist Peter Shaw
● Engine and gearbox by Jim Stokes Workshop Ltd
● Ex renowned Alfa Romeo enthusiast John Ridings Lee
● Eligible in various international events

The Alfa Romeo 8C-2300 was designed by Vittorio Jano, who had already designed the sporty Alfa Romeo 6C-1750. He started at Alfa in 1923 and began work immediately on a new Grand Prix car with dual overhead camshafts, the P2, which won the ACF and Italian Grand Prix in 1924 and the Belgian and Italian Grand Prix in 1925. The 6C-1500 and 6C-1750 models were offered with a single or dual-cam engine, this later version was supercharged for use as a race car or as a touring car. Alfa wished to return to Grand Prix racing and Jano designed the 8C-2300, which competed with a long chassis (Le Mans version), short chassis (Mille Miglia version) and a racing version with an ultra-short chassis, the Monza. The Alfa 8C-2300 was initially entered by the factory, but was later entered by numerous drivers and private teams, of which the most renowned was the Scuderia Ferrari.

The Alfa 8C-2300 was initially fitted with a 2.3-litre engine, increased to 2.6 litres in 1934. The power of the inline eight-cylinder engine with lightweight alloy block and cylinder heads exceeded 170 hp. The assembly is made up of two blocks of four cylinders, each with its own cylinder head, sharing the same crankcase. The Roots supercharger was fitted on the right-hand side of the engine. Later versions were fitted with a Weber carburettor. This engine, combined with a manual four-speed gearbox and installed in a chassis clad in lightweight coachwork, resulted in an incredibly high-performance car for its time. No one who has heard an Alfa 8C at full throttle can forget the magnificent symphony produced, a sound image of an inexhaustible and impressive surge of power. This engine is synonymous with both pure power and intentional docility, able to produce all its horsepower on demand, while remaining easy to handle at lower engine speeds.

Only 188 Alfa 8C-2300 were assembled between 1931 and 1933.

The Alfa Romeo 8C's racing career is studded with victories and prestigious names. The Monza versions, a special production of a few models, were behind a long list of wins in the hands of numerous drivers, including Tazio Nuvolari.

The first 8C-2300 appeared in 1931 as a prototype entered for the Mille Miglia. Two of the Grand Prix models were entered for the Monza GP, where they took the first two places. It was following this double victory that the competition versions were christened Monza. In the same year, the Alfa 8C-2300 became the car to beat in racing, winning the Targa Florio, then the Le Mans 24 Hours three times, beating the Mercedes SSK and SSKL. Several victories at the Spa 24 Hours and the Monaco GP are also to its credit, confirming the extraordinary qualities of the Alfa 8C and "Monza", both on the road and on the circuit.

This Alfa Romeo 8C 2300 Corto Spider was built by Peter Shaw in the 1990s with an engine and gearbox developed and assembled by the Alfa Romeo specialist Jim Stokes. Once finished, it was sold in the United States to one of the biggest pre-war Alfa Romeo collectors, John Ridings Lee. He was also owner of, among others, an 8C 2600 Monza, a 6C 1750 Zagato, an 8C 2300 Long Chassis Tourer, a Bugatti Type 51 Grand Prix and a Type 57C Atalante.

It was behind the wheel of this 8C 2300 Corto Spider, built based on the Touring coachwork plans, that John Ridings Lee took part in the Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance in 2013, in the edition honouring the model. In 2017, the Lee-8C duo also took part in the Amelia Island Concours d'Elegance in the Sports Cars (Pre-War to 1942) class. After the death of John Ridings Lee in 2021, the Spider 8C was put up for sale via Fantasy Junction in the United States and purchased by its current owner, who imported it to Europe. Rarely used since but still maintained, the 2300 has been treated to give it the finest of patinas.

During a road test, we were able to ascertain that the mechanics of this Alfa Romeo 8C are in good working order, both the engine and the gearbox.

Sold with its tonneau cover as well as a Dutch registration document stating "1932 Alfa Romeo 8C 2300 Spider", this car is an excellent quality reconstruction, a cut above Pur Sang Argentina's production. Eligible for numerous events, this Alfa Romeo is an excellent entry point to the pleasure that a supercharged pre-war eight-cylinder can bring, and as John Ridings Lee said:
"There is nothing in the world that runs as good as an Alfa 8C. They are probably the fastest pre-war car that was ever built. They are a lot of fun to drive, and they are mechanically solid as a rock."

Please note that this vehicle is from outside the UK. Our customs agents, CARS UK, will manage all post sale customs administration. A fee of £350+VAT will be charged on the buyer's invoice to administer both import or export customs movements. If the buyer also chooses to ship with CARS UK, this will be quoted separately. If this vehicle is to remain in the UK, it will be subject to Import VAT at the reduced rate of 5% on the hammer price. This vehicle will not be available for immediate collection after the sale and will only be released on completion of customs clearance formalities. If you have any questions regarding customs clearance, please contact the Bonhams Motorcar Department.