CMC Alfa-Romeo 8C 2900 B Speciale Touring Coupe, 1938, scale 1/12

• Fastest road vehicle in the 1930s
• Touring body with a lightweight closed structure (coupé) known as Supperleggera
• 8-cylinder in-line-engine (crankcase made of two light-metal blocks, each with 4 cylinders)
• Two Roots turbo chargers (one for each block)
• Camshaft drive gear train in the center of the engine
• Transmission blocked with rear axle as a transaxle
• Hydraulic brakes on all 4 wheels

The 8C 2900B Special Touring Coupé was made to order, and it is now the pride of the Alfa Romeo museum “Storico” in Arese, Italy. Not only does the vehicle have an interesting history, but it is also spectacular and unique in appearance.

Originally the 8C 2900B was built for the 24 hour race of Le Mans in 1938. It was fitted with a closed body (Berlinetta) designed by Touring specialists based on their aerodynamic research in lightweight construction — a patented technology known as Touring Superleggera (aluminium body). An optimized 8-cylinder in-line-engine with 220 hp plus the necessary accessories for Le Mans overnight racing completed the car.

Despite its superior lead during the race, the 8C was not able to finish. A tire blowout and a subsequent ruptured valve put an end to its chase of a seemingly certain victory.

After the race, the car was completely repaired and sold into private hands. It was possessed by a succession of owners in the course of time. Finally the car wound up in England, from where it was brought back home in the 1980s by the Alfa Romeo Museum “Storico” in exchange for a Grand Prix racing car Type 158 Alfetta. Storico decided to restore the car as a street version with an original dark red finish.

Since then this one-of-a-kind rarity has charmed every visitor to the museum.