Vittorio Jano's straight-eight masterpiece — Mille Miglia, Le Mans and Targa Florio winner.
.jpg?width=1600)
The 8C 2300 (1931–1934) was Vittorio Jano's straight-eight Alfa Romeo, with a 2,336cc supercharged DOHC engine producing 142–155 bhp. It won the Le Mans 24 Hours four years running (1931–1934), the Mille Miglia three years running (1932–1934), and the Targa Florio. Body styles included the short-wheelbase Monza (with cycle wings, intended as a Grand Prix car), the Le Mans long-chassis sports car (Zagato or Touring spiders), and the Lungo (Berlina) for road use. Total production was approximately 188 cars.
Among the most successful sports-racing cars of the pre-war era; Monza and Le Mans variants are top-of-market.
| Variant | Years | Production | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 8C 2300 Monza | 1931–1934 | — | Short-chassis Grand Prix car; cycle wings. |
| 8C 2300 Le Mans / Spider Corto | 1931–1934 | — | Long-chassis sports car. |
| 8C 2300 Lungo | 1932–1934 | — | Saloon and tourer specification. |
For pre-war and vintage cars such as the Alfa Romeo 8C 2300, provenance is paramount. Chassis and engine number matching, period coachbuilder records, factory build sheets where available, continuous ownership documentation, original handbooks and any competition or concours history are the foundation of value. Body style (Monza > Le Mans > Lungo), Alfa Romeo Centro Storico documentation, period race history.
Supercharged straight-eight is highly stressed; rebuild is six-figure work and requires specialist knowledge. A pre-purchase inspection by a recognised marque specialist should include compression and leak-down testing, magneto and ignition checks, chassis straightness and frame survey, axle and steering wear assessment, brake system review (mechanical or hydraulic per period), and an extended road test on varied terrain to expose carburation, cooling and gearbox issues that only emerge under sustained running.
Pre-war coachwork is rarely truly original after a century of use. Establish whether the body is original to the chassis (period photographs, build records, coachbuilder plates), whether it has been re-bodied at any point, and the standard of any restoration. Quality of timber framing, ash health, panel beating and paint depth are all critical. Concealed structural rot, re-bodies presented as original, and 'tribute' cars built on later or unrelated chassis must be priced accordingly.
Monza (short-chassis Grand Prix) and Le Mans long-chassis Spider lead values; Lungo Berlina the most affordable entry. For vintage cars, event eligibility — Mille Miglia, Goodwood Revival, Pebble Beach, VSCC events, Le Mans Classic — can underwrite a substantial proportion of market value. Verify FIA/FIVA papers, period race history where claimed, and the car's standing with the relevant marque registry before purchase.
Regional ranges authored independently — each reflects its local market, not an FX conversion
Vintage cars require disciplined preventive maintenance: lubrication regimes, magneto service, carburettor synchronisation, brake adjustment, and timber and trim conservation. A car used regularly and serviced annually by a specialist will outlast a stored example neglected for decades.
A handful of global specialists handle 8C work; very strong club support. Confirm the availability of marque specialists, period-correct fasteners, coachwork trim, instruments and tyres before committing. A car requiring fabricated one-off parts will absorb time and cost that a similar example with active specialist support will not.
Each region quoted in its local currency — independent market readings, not FX conversions
Top-tier pre-war collector market; Monza cars are essentially museum-grade.
| Date | Auction | Car | Mileage | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024-08-16 | Gooding & Co. Pebble Beach | 1933 8C 2300 Monza | — | $13,755,000 Sold |
Among the most significant pre-war sports cars. Monza and Le Mans cars are blue-chip globally.
Join Car Collector International's owners register for valuation updates, auction alerts and members-only events.
Register interestThe valuation figures in this guide are for research purposes only and do not constitute financial or investment advice. See our full disclaimer.
