Alfa Romeo 8C – The Ultimate Engine
Not too many people know about the versatile engine for road, race and sports - Alfa Romeo 8C reigning through the 1930s. On deciphering the extended nomenclature 8C, it refers to the Alfa Romeo’s straight 8-cylinder engine. Designed by Vittorio Jano the 8C racing engine was one of the incomparable pieces by Alfa Romeo from 1931 to its desertion in 1939. With further enhancements, the engine powered vehicles like the 1935 3.8 litre Monoposto 8C 35 Type C, the Alfa Romeo 8C 2900B Mille Miglia Roadster and twin engined 1935 6.3 litre Bimotore.
Earlier in 1931, Jano’s P3 8C engine featured a common crankcase with two-alloy four cylinder blocks, with integrated heads. It had no separate heads neither did it have head gasket to fail. The central gear tower drove the superchargers, ancillaries and overhead camshafts. This led to first model produced in 1931, the 8C 2300. Alfa Romeo now introduced the first single seater racing car, the Monoposto Tipo B P3 for the 1932 Grand Prix season. In 1939, the 6C engined models took over more expensive the 8C engines and the trend continued until WWII.
While the more expensive 8C engine ceased production in 1939, production of 6C engined models continued till after WWII. Improvements continued with Alfa Romeo engines with the racing cars appearing in production models the following years.
Lately, Alfa Romeo renovated the 8C into V8-engined concept car in 2004. This was made into production in 2007 as Alfa Romeo 8C Competizione.
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12 Comments, Comment or Ping
HiFi Guy (8 comments.)
This car seems to be inspired by Ferrari
Mar 11th, 2008
Fashionisto (1 comments.)
wow, gorgeous car, keep em coming, i got my eye on this blog this week
Mar 11th, 2008
Christoph (4 comments.)
I love this car!
Mar 11th, 2008
Apollo (2 comments.)
Have you checked out a few of the cars presented at the Geneva Auto Convention?
There some really great new concepts out there and some come from car manufacturers who would least expect (like Saab: one of GM’s acquisitions).
The interior of the Alfa Romeo 8C is features a nice design. Good comeback from a car manufacturer who was almost forgotten…
Mar 11th, 2008
Christoph (4 comments.)
I checked the cars presented at the Geneva Auto Show 2008.
What do you think about the new Lamborghini Gallardo LP560-4?
I think it’s amazing!
Greety from germany
Mar 12th, 2008
Apollo (2 comments.)
I love Lamborghini but I hate the Gallardo (inspired by Audi designers). I think its a big piece of crap. The Gallardo does not resemble anything Lamborghini stands for (in my opinion) and was a stupid attempt by Audi (yes, owned by VW…soon to be owned by Porsche) to boost production and affordability in order to increase sales. Lamborghini’s are not meant for the majority to drive and those who buy Lambo’s could care less about price. The Gallardo is a Lamborghini for wannabes.
I love the Murcielago and the limited edition Reventon (all models are already sold) is amazing.
Mar 13th, 2008
coderbari (16 comments.)
This car looks amazing.I dream of having such beautiful car
Mar 14th, 2008
8C (1 comments.)
What an amazing car… beautiful!
Furthermore, the 8C Spider is now at the Geneva Salon 2008? And Alfa Romeo will produce only 500 of it!
Mar 14th, 2008
Asphodel (1 comments.)
That’s one hella sexy car!
Mar 17th, 2008
Jim (1 comments.)
Saving up my pennies for this bad boy!
Mar 20th, 2008
Franca Richard (18 comments.)
AR~ I like the outlook rather than the safety, thats why I prefer Volvo S80, an old style but popular car in Europe,
Mar 20th, 2008
Franca Richard (18 comments.)
The front looks like Porsche whie the other side a bit likes Farrari…
Mar 22nd, 2008
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