1933 Alfa Romeo 2600 Monza

Generously Lent by Peter Greenfield, Freeport NY

• Extremely successful model from the golden years of Alfa Romeo

• This car competed at the 1933 Tunisian Grand Prix and the 1934 Mille Miglia 

• Powerful Dual Overhead Cam Inline 8-cylinder engine

The Alfa Romeo 8C 2300 and 2600 are one of the greatest competition cars of all time. Designed by Vittorio Jano, the superb 8-cylinder twin overhead cam motor was used in a number of competitive environments, including Grand Prix and sports car racing. Alfa Romeos won the Le Mans 24-hour race in 1931, 1932, 1933, 1934, and the Monaco Grand Prix in 1932 with Tazio Nuvolari at the wheel in a short-wheelbase version known as the 8C 2300 Monza.

Alfa Romeo Monza’s were raced all over the world with considerable success. Major competition came from the Bugatti Type 51 and various Maserati Grand Prix cars. Amongst his other successes in that period Nuvolari won the Targa Florio in 1931 and 1932, and the Italian Grand Prix at Monza in 1931. When international sporting regulations changed and the use of a riding mechanic was no longer stipulated, Alfa Romeo introduced the monoposto version of the 8C known as the P3. 

This car in the exhibition, chassis number 2211114, was first seen testing at Monza in March 1933, and it competed in the Tunisian Grand Prix later that month. A later significant appearance was at the Mille Miglia in 1934 where it finished 7th. 

The French driver Guillaume “Guy” Moll, won the Monaco Grand Prix in 1934 for Alfa Romeo, but the new 750 Kilogram Formula, introduced that year, saw the arrival of Mercedes Benz and Auto Union with state sponsorship. Their dominance in 1935 was the demise for the entries from Alfa Romeo and Maserati.

Specifications:

Engine: 2.6 Liter Inline 8-cylinder, dual overhead cam

Power: 215 hp

Transmission: Four-speed manual

Top Speed: 135 mph