Where the food is more popular than women and cars something very special and sexual is made for the first ones and cars are made powerful and attractive. Ferrari and Lamborgini, Maserati and Alfa Romeo — best motor companies write their own history in the winners’ country. They could divide the awards among themselves but never to give it to foreigners!
High quality automobiles were produced under the brand name «Alfa», later «Alfa Romeo». Their technological innovations, inventions and discoveries were tested immediately and implemented to the production stage. For example the DOHC — Double OverHead Camshaft system appeared on all Alfa Romeo engines in 1929.
To confirm the speed and reliability of their cars automotive companies were constantly involved in various motor sport competitions. So in the end of 1920 an opera singer and race driver Giuseppe Campari brought the first win to Alfa Romeo. And 5 years after the Italian brand started to win more and more often.
After winning the last Mille Miglia in 1935, Enzo Ferrari understood that he needed something new. Attempting to return the glory Alfa Romeo continued to research and develop something more than just a super engine. They needed a car able to beat SilverArrows. It was necessary to win among the Germans. Among Mercedes W25E, AutoUnion, and newly born BMW.
Initially, the 8C series car was built on the V12 engine basis. The experiments were unsuccessful and the main feature of the new version of the original Alfa Romeo Monoposto Tipo B became the configuration.
Eight-cylindered engine from the Vittorio Jano. He began to develop it in the early 20's. But the heart of the Alfa Romeo 8C became more powerful — 3.8 liter of volume. For every version of Tipo C the engine was built by five months before the race. It accelerated the car to 60 miles in 7 seconds, and on the road it could produce the average speed of 160 km/h. May it was not faster than its predecessor, but it helped to left behind all competitors. Vittorio corrected mistakes and added a second turbocharger a stiffer suspension, and also made the car a two-seater.
So in 1936, the car Alfa Romeo 8C 35 (TipoC) made its racing debut with the Scuderia Ferrari team. Enzo was not simply pleased with the results. He was fond of Tazio Nuvolari who was the first who brought their car to the finish in the Ciano Cup.
It is not true to say that AlfaRomeo 8C 35 was the fastest car. It was sometimes slower than the predcessor — Queen of motorsport of early 30's. But in the period from 1935 to 1939 Tipo C was almost invincible.
MercedesW25E and AutoUnion were faster than Alfa Romeo 8C 35 on fast circuits, but in the maneuvers they obviously were slower. Slow twisty special stages made Alfa very fast. Skilled Tazio Nuvolari made easy handling a top benefit on the way to victory.
At first Alfa Romeo did not sell the 8C model. It was important to the company to win the races, and then to beat them in the market. For public roads there was a special 6C version, which later became the first step to the legendary model.
But after the first victory the sales approach had to be changed because the demand for such a high quality and reliable car was extremely high.
The first car, which Nuvolari drove to the victory in Ciano Cup, was sold to the Swiss pilot Hans Ruesch. And ten years later it was bought by British racer Dennis Poore for fabulous money.
Another rare car got Haynes Royce. These two racers were among the first stars on Goodwood Motor Circuit in 1948–1955 years.
After the first sales Alfa Romeo applied interesting strategy. Mechanics removed the winners sport body and put an elegant one from the best Italian design studios: Carrozzeria Zagato, Brianza and of course the majestic Pinifarina. Comfortable interior, together with a powerful engine made fans crazy.
Everyone was pleased racers had a new chassis every event and buyers were proud of the “champion’s” car. Sometimes, the pilots bought their sportcars to themselves.
Every 8C car is a rarity. Racing winners became a parts of rich collections. The car with the starting price of £1000 reached dizzying heights in the market of legendary supercars.
If you come to Bonhams auction you have not only to love and to desire, but you have to have more than one million dollars.
In 2010, a record in Bonhams sales was set by AlfaRomeo 8C 2300 Monza 1933. An Italian supercar was sold for 6 million 600 thousand dollars. But even more was got for the first AlfaRomeo 8C 35 TipoC. In September 14, 2013 the rarest pre-war period car was sold for 5.9 million pounds — 9 million 360 thousand dollars.
One of the most charismatic cars made Alfa Romeo’s glory for centuries. Until the mid 50’s 8C 35 participated in competitions.
Only the rich and famous could boast such a glorious car. Tipo C was in Madame Tussauds collection. Raymond Sommer was among the owners of 8С as well as Andrea Piaggio, former airline company director, the chief of the scooter production company. And of course, it was a favorite car of Tazio Nuvolari.
Less than two years from the first victory of Alfa Romeo 8C 35 Vittorio Jano left the company, avoiding the tense atmosphere. After the WWII, the designer who escaped from Fiat and glorified Alfa, was invited to lead production of a newborn Lancia.
And the Grand Prix sports giant history ended in 1939, having the fame for centuries.
