Alfa 8C Competizione Design Analysis
The Alfa Romeo 8C (for otto cilindri) is a stunning design, a fitting bolide to carry the Alfa back onto the U.S. market.
Alfa has been known to resurrect names from its legendary past, having already gone through “Alfetta†and “!750â€. The “8C†is for eight cylinders, but also recalls the great series of Jano designed eight cylinder cars of the 1930s–the 8C2300 and the 8C2900.
FRONT
Great rendition of a Fifties Alfa nose brought up to speed and the modern age. Even single headlight per side would have worked but they succumbed to the temptation of cramming the enclosure with various lights & sci-fi shaped housings, i.e. space junk inside Perspex bubble like the Japanese cars that seem to have everything under the headlight cover but the kitchen sink. Great use of modern technology to get period look. Character V line on hood, leading toward grille is strong; almost XK-120-ish.
REAR VIEW
More kudos. Again a simplified rear reminiscent of the best sports cars of the Fifties and Sixties. Admirable restraint in only having one taillight per side and kudos for recessing them slightly. Dual exhausts per side are again like Sixties Ferraris. Indentation for license plate wasn’t really needed, would have preferred flat rear valance with plate atop it a la Ferrari 275GTB. The aerodynamic device on the underside of the back is almost unnoticed–these didn’t exist in the “classic†Sixties but are much appreciated now! Only sore point in back is reversing light and another small red light look un-integrated and very industrial.
SIDE VIEW
One of the best side views in the car business. –very clean, with the smallest of door handles so as not to sully the flowing lines. It’s a good thing they added the side vent from the prototype concept car because it gives the car’s side view some character, and it’s a quality looking vent with its chrome surround. Chrome surround around entire side window area very good, even if swiped from Jaguar. Mag wheels have hint of round-circle theme used in some Alfa 33s. Crease on upper part of body side saves it from being mere “replay†of great Bertone “Canguro†shape, adds to the interest of the body shape, even if it’s already been used by Hyundai.
INTERIOR
Instrument layout not retro, not modern, not ground breaking. Color matched and fitted Schedoni luggage option brings “grand touring†back into a GT car. Seat upholstery pattern a little dated, too bad as seats are carbon fiber, and deserved a more modern treatment.
ENGINE COMPARTMENT
That engine is awfully far back—gonna require some dexterity to reach everything. But at least it’s not hidden under a dumb engine cover. Would have preferred “rough cast†aluminum finish to engine intake manifolding, not black they have now, because black looks like an industrial engine.
OVERALL
This one is a home run all the way. It could be longer, for true gran turismo proportions but we can accept its stubbiness in exchange for lighter weight. It already tips the scales at nearly 3500 lbs. so another 1 ½ ft. of length would have brought it to nearly 4000 lbs., not what you want in a high performance sports car.
Che Bella Macchina! Love the design comments.
But what a pity that the entire 8C run is already pre-sold — with none available for the rest of us, either in the US or anywhere else. Typical Alfa logic. They finally have a winner for the US market, and they limit production! Now in order to get one I will have to win the lottery and pay an inflated price in the collector’s market.
Mary Ann Dickinson
I LOVE THIS CAR !!!!!!!!!!
RWH
What is not to LOVE about this beauty..
bellezza !!!!!!!!!!!!! I want one.
RWH
I agree with Wally about the headlights; little crammed-in ones are passe’ now. Shoulda had a big single light under the cover. But the bottom of the grille is way way too sharp for the roundness of the rest of the car–reminds me of the single-toothed Ollie the Dragon on Kukla, Fran, & Ollie. I felt the same about the point in the rear of the Lusso’s side windows–shoulda been rounded to go with the rest of the car.
great and no lie,cangaru,sportiva,zagato,gtz whatever there all there.my thought is a low ball 116(updated of course) chassis with this 8c body and ts 2.0 or 2.5 within.not to forget that 116 chassis could pull over 1g wih small modification would sell like pizza slices and not take from the exclusivity of the 8c.alfisti are still disapointed more wasn’t done with that horse.
lo stile della 8c , riprende i canoni classici dell auto italiana, dallo stile classici dell auto italiana, dallo stile della canguro griffato giugiaro , alla splendida 33 stradale di marazzi e scaglione, il frontale richiama le realizzazioni di bertone in particolar modo la giulietta sprint , il posteriore è clo stile della 8c , riprende i canoni classici dell auto italiana, dallo stile classici dell auto italiana, dallo stile della canguro griffato giugiaro , alla splendida 33 stradale di marazzi e scaglione, il frontale richiama le realizzazioni di bertone in particolar modo la giulietta sprint , il posteriore è caratterizzato dai fari circolari in gran uso negli anni 60 dai maestri carrozzieri italiani.della canguro griffato giugiaro , alla splendida 33 stradale di marazzi e scaglione, il frontale richiama le realizzazioni di bertone in particolar modo la giulietta sprint , il posteriore è caratterizzato dai fari circolari in gran uso negli anni 60 dai maestri carrozzieri italiani.
I can’t read Italian that well, but I gather he’s saying the new 8C has a lot of 33 Stradale in the design as well, and arguably that’s a more beautiful car than the Canguro, and the best part is they made several of them, making it among the most prized Alfas. When will Alfa bring back that design?
WW
My Alfa GT 2000 is languishing on the island
of Grenada. I couldn’t spirit her out in front of the Revolution. I would welcome any help detective-wise locating her and
performing a safe rescue. Money IS sort of
an object.
Seen from the back, this 8C reminds me the Opel GT. There are so many better memories…
Hooray! Alfa’s back! (Only halfway?)
I owned eight Alfas. Think Italian when working on one! Part of the ownership is enjoying the Alfa quirks, of which the 8C design has plenty. A beautiful car, but, too stubby, too narrow in the rear end, too tall.
What’s the U.S. price? The top speed? 0 to 60? Horsepower? My right arm for one! Looks like the body design I entered in the May, 1984 issue of LEGGENDA, Puget Sound Alfa Owners Association publication.