The ill-fated Alfa Romeo 8C 2900B Le Mans Berlinetta ...

Continuing our celebration of Alfa Romeo's 100 anniversary, we today take a closer look one of the most remarkable racing cars from the company's rich past. Built specifically for the 1938 edition of the 24 Hours of Le Mans, this 8C 2900B Le Mans Berlinetta would go on to build up the biggest ever lead in the race's long history. By 10 am on Sunday morning, driver Raymond Sommer was 11 laps ahead of its closest rival, which was well over an hour and nearly 160 km (100 miles). Unfortunately a blown tire damaged the potent Alfa's drivetrain, causing it to retire. It had nevertheless completed more laps than the fourth placed car at the finish. The unique Touring bodied machine was not raced again and was sold to a gentleman in Rome. After passing through several hands, Alfa Romeo eventually traded the car for this 158 'Alfetta' and since the early 1990s, it has been one of the most prominently displayed cars in the Museo Storico.
Although we had seen the car several times before and also had a feature up, we only managed to capture the Le Mans Berlinetta in action at the recent Goodwood Festival of Speed where it was driven up the hill as part of the Alfa Romeo centenary celebrations. This inspired to us to write a brand new, much more detailed article, illustrated by a 12-shot gallery.

Enjoy the links:

[url="http://www.ultimatecarpage.com/car/1483/Alfa-Romeo-8C-2900B-Le-Mans-Berlinetta.html"]1938 Alfa Romeo 8C 2900B Le Mans Berlinetta - Images, Specifications and Information[/url]

Wouter, the car retired, because Sommer overreved the Engine, avoiding an accident and a valve broke. The Bugatti T 44 of de Kuiper had rolled and his Body was thrown on Tarmac. Several Drivers died that Day, trying to avoid his Body. It was one of the biggest accidents in LM History. The Tire caused only some minor Bodywork damage.