• A high quality re-creation by English specialists
• More than £750,000 spent on labour and parts
• 2.9-litre eight-cylinder engine rebuilt in 2016 by Jim Stokes Workshop
• Comes with Belgian title

Alfa Romeo's first eight-cylinder road car was introduced in 1931 as a successor to the 6C 1750. This was the legendary 8C 2300, designed by the equally legendary Vittorio Jano, who was one of the first automotive engineers to create high-performance cars that were tailor-made for sustained full-throttle running at high speeds, all with the aim of keeping Alfa Romeo at the forefront of international motor racing. The first 8C-2300 appeared as a prototype at the 1931 Mille Miglia. Two examples of the Grand Prix model were then entered in the Monza Grand Prix where they finished 1st and 2nd. Capitalising on this outstanding success, the competition versions received the name 'Monza'. From then on the Alfa 8C-2300 became the car to be reckoned with, winning that year's Targa Florio followed by three consecutive victories at Le Mans ahead of the frustrated Mercedes SSK and SSKL drivers. Added to this can be several victories at the Spa 24 Hour race and also at the Monaco Grand Prix, confirming the exceptional qualities of the Alfa 8C and 'Monza' on both road and racetrack.

The heart of this formidable machine is its supercharged, straight-eight, twin-overhead-camshaft engine, which Jano arranged in effect as two four-cylinder units with the cam drive gears between them. Bore and stroke were 66x88 mm giving 2,336 cc, while the twin-lobe Roots-type supercharger was driven at 1.33-times crankshaft speed. The Corto (short) chassis had a wheelbase of 2.75 metres, and the Lungo (long) version one of 3.1 metres. Boasting a four-speed manual gearbox and powerful drum brakes all round, these Alfa Romeos were genuine 100mph cars, reliably producing over 140 horsepower at 5,000 rpm.

This engine is synonymous with both pure power and intentional docility, able to deliver all its horsepower on demand while remaining easy to control at lower engine speeds. Only 188 examples of the Alfa 8C-2300 were assembled between 1931 and 1933, featuring almost as many different bodies by Touring, Zagato, Figoni, Pininfarina and others.

This Alfa Romeo 8C 2300 Corto Spider was built between 2006 and 2018 at the request of its current owner, using the expertise of the most famous British specialists, including Paul Grist and Terence Butler at Traction Seabert & Co, and the Jim Stokes Workshop, while period parts were sourced from the renowned pre-war Alfa Romeo specialist, Aldo Cesaro. Chassis number '2131096', this 8C was built to the highest possible standard with no budgetary limits, as evidenced by the numerous invoices on file. In total, over more than 10 years, in excess of £750,000 was spent to make this re-creation, which has to be one of the finest available on the market. From 2006 the chassis and running gear were initially assembled by Traction Seabert & Co. The blown 2.9-litre engine was assembled by Jim Stokes in 2016, while all mechanical components such as the gearbox and differential were rebuilt between 2017 and 2018. In the meantime, the body was built in aluminium to Touring Superleggera's famous Spider design and assembled and painted in 2018, again by JSW. Since then, the finished car has been driven 6.000 kilometres by its owner, improving every detail to make it an extremely powerful and enjoyable car to drive. Although its slightly patinated appearance gives it a period aesthetic, this 8C is in near-new mechanical condition and ready to be driven, or even raced, in the many events for which it is eligible. Now registered in Belgium, this 8C comes with an expert appraisal dated 2020, as well as an extensive file of invoices that can be examined on request.

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.