1938 Alfa Romeo 8C 2900 B Le Mans Berlinetta - Images, Specifications and Information

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In the early 1930s talented designer Vittorio Jano conceived what would become one of the most successful engines of the decade. 'His' 8 cylinder engine was made up of two four cylinder engines and featured twin overhead camshafts. The original engine displaced 2.3 litres and was installed in the Tipo B 'P3' Grand Prix racers and the 8C 2300 sportscars. The Tipo B racked up many Grand Prix wins and remains as one of the most successful Grand Prix racers ever. Le Mans and the Mille Miglia were the favorite playgrounds for the 8C 2300, winning the 24 Hours race four years running from 1931 to 1934. Over the years displacement grew to a final size of just over 2.9 litres by 1935.

In 1935 Jano's 8 cylinder engine, in 2.9 litre form, was the base for an all new sportscar, the 8C 2900A. In Grand Prix tune the engine produced a hefty 255 bhp, for reliability reasons a lower compression 220bhp version was installed in the 8C 2900As. It proved very successful in racing, with as highlight a one-two-three in the 1936 Mille Miglia.

For 1937 Alfa Romeo announced the production of a limited number of 8Cs for road use. These were dubbed 8C 2900B and featured a 180 bhp version of the 8 cylinder engine. It was installed in a box-type chassis available in short and long wheel base configurations, both with all-round independent suspension. Most of the 33 8C 2900Bs built were fitted with lightweight Touring bodies, constructed following their patented Superleggera principal.

After parting ways with Enzo Ferrari in 1937 Alfa Romeo set up their own racing department, 'Alfa Corse', early in 1938. Alfa Corse entered five 8C 2900Bs for the 1938 Le Mans. Four of them were fitted with Spider bodies, the other with a coupe body. This coupe was specially constructed by Touring to cut through the air as effeciently as possible on Le Mans' long straights. Compression of its engine was increased and matched the performance of the 8C 2900A's powerplant.

Skillfully piloted by drivers Sommer and Biondetti, the Le Mans coupe was in a class of its own in the race. The pairing was 11 laps, well over 100 miles, in the lead when a tire blew on the Mulsanne straight. One of the biggest leads ever in the grueling 24 Hours event. Sommer limped back to the pit and after the faltering tire was replaced he returned to the track, in the lead still. An hour before the finish bad luck struck again, a broken valve meant the end of the race for the Touring Coupe.

It was to be the only outing for the streamlined 8C 2900B. After the war it surfaced in the UK where it was brought back to running order. In the 1980s it was acquired by the Alfa Romeo Museum in exchange for an 158 'Alfetta' Grand Prix racer. The Museum restored to concours and running condition. Without a doubt it is one of most valuable pre-war cars, a priceless example of Alfa Romeo's racing heritage. It is seen here in the paddocks of the 2002 Le Mans Classic and the 2002 Goodwood Festival of Speed.