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Chassis:
One of the final 8C 2300s built, this example combines the short chassis with the four-seater body as stipulated by the Le Mans regulations. It was one of four 8C 2300s entered in the 1934 edition of the 24 Hours of Le Mans for owner 'Phi-Phi' Etancelin and Luigi Chinetti. By the evening, the car was in the lead until a split fuel line was discovered. Chinetti ordered every one in the pits, including a film crew to start chewing gum, which was successfully used to plug the hole. The unique Brianza bodied car limped home to record the 8C 2300's fourth consecutive and final victory in the 24 Hours of Le Mans.
Etancelin held on to the Alfa Romeo until 1937 when it was sold to the United Kingdom. Here it passed through various hands until it was acquired by Peter Spiral in 1954. He owned the car for over five decades and in his custody, it was only very rarely seen. A promised restoration never happened until he finally sold the car to its subsequent American owner. The Brianza Spider was immediately entrusted to British expert Patrick Blakeney-Edwards for a sympathetic restoration. Finished in French racing blue, it was first seen at the 2012 Windsor Castle Concours d'Elegance. A year later, it was displayed at the Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance before embarking on the 8C rally through the Rocky Mountains.
It has since changed hands and returned to Le Mans in 2022 for the biennial Le Mans Classic.
Chassis details |
Manufactured in |
1934 |
First owner |
Philippe Etancelin |
Major wins |
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Last known location |
American Private Collection |
Appearances |
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