Read about Italian Automobiles: Ferrari, Maserati, Abarth, Lancia, Alfa Romeo, OSCA, Zagato, Ghia, Pininfarina, F1 Racing and more...

   You found VeloceToday's OLD website.
Please visit VeloceToday's New Website for the latest articles, news and more...




NOTE: You are viewing the OLD VeloceToday website. We are in the process of moving some of the old articles from the OLD site to the NEW site.





Home Cars Racing News People Lifestyle Events


Cars


A fleeting memoir of the 8C2900B Alfa Romeo, S/N 412030

Jan 29, 2002
By Peter Vack


The late Bill Serri driving 412030 at Pocono, captured beautifully by Joe Corbacio.

A recipe for a relatively modern car; one which might be offered by any number of manufacturers today:
  • Dual overhead cam 8-cylinder, aluminum head and block, 225 bhp.
  • Supercharged
  • All independent suspension
  • 4 speed gearbox integral with differential at rear
  • 19 inch wheels
  • Aluminum sports body
When, sixty-four years, 6 wars, and 12 U.S. Presidents ago, Alfa Romeo created the ultimate 8C2900, the above specifications were obviously pretty wild. Only the Grand Prix cars of the era could offer more in terms of high tech, speed and acceleration. Perhaps the only comparison worth mentioning today is the McLaren F1.

And it's a pretty wild car today, the ultimate example of a road car blessed with the marvels of the mechanical age which it epitomized. The twenties and thirties were the age of metal and machine, and nothing is more machine-like than the Alfa 8C2900B. Only the glass on the huge round gauges, the thin leather seats and the bakelite steering wheel counter the expanse of metal. In the cockpit, the surrounds are aluminum, steel, brass, and more aluminum. Looking over the outrageously hood, the hand wrought louvers, echo down the sides of the car. Starting instantly, the engine noises are glorious, vibrating, thrashing insanely and constantly. There is no soundproofing to muffle the screaming metallic sounds, nor should there be. The noise reaches a fervent pitch as the engine revs toward the next gear. We are going fast, very fast, much faster than any old car should be able to go, and the wind carries the mechanical outbursts past the ears. It is an experience without any useful comparison.

It is doubtful that any postwar road car is as violently mechanical as the Alfa 2900. And need we stress road car, for even after WWII, many 2900Bs, Tourings included, were used as daily transportation. Brakes? Not mentioned in the above specs. Not worth mentioning at all, making the ride of a lifetime even more exciting.

Thankfully, the late Bill Serri was never afraid to drive his famous 412030 Alfa 2900B anywhere, at any time. Just got in the car and went. Just like Carlo Pintacuda did with the same exact car in the 1938 Mille Miglia. Just like Phil Hill did in that same car after the war.

Our thanks to Bill, who we will miss. We doubt if the next owner of 412030 will be so willing to offer the car for a drive. If so, our number is----

412030 is well documented in a number of publications. But save looking, and do yourself a favor. Buy a copy of Simon Moore's The Immortal 2.9, now of course out of print. Oh yes, it's gonna cost you.






Past Issues



Date
Topic


1-16-08
Ferrari 712 Can Am


1-6-08
Articles on or about OSCA


1-6-08
Articles on or about Maserati


1-6-08
Articles on or about Lancia


1-6-08
Articles on or about Fiat


12-19-7
Fiat Dino, Body


12-19-7
Fiat Dino, Chassis


12-12-07
Serenissima F1


10-31-07
Winningest OSCA


10-24-07
Alfa 164 V10


10-17-07
Ramponi's Delage


10-17-07
OSCA Berlinettas


10-3-07
Maserati 250F Remembered


9-26-07
Lancia Rally Delta and Integrale


9-26-07
Lancia Rally 037 and S4


8-29-07
Alpine Adventures


8-08-07
Bandini, Giaurs, Siatas etc.


7-18-07
Alpine A110


7-11-07
Classic Fiat 500s in Turin


7-11-07
New Fiat 500 hits the streets


7-11-07
New Fiat 500 Intro


7-04-07
Fiat 500 Restoration


6-27-07
Fiat 500 pushed and pulled


6-13-07
Fiat 500 Art


6-13-07
Giulietta Sprint Veloce Part 2


6-6-07
Giulietta Sprint Veloce Part 1


6-6-07
Fortune 500 (Fiat)


4-18-07
Giulietta Racing Part 2


4-11-07
Giulietta Racing P1


4-4-07
Appia Specials


4-4-07
Appia Series 3


2-21-07
Appia Series 2


2-14-07
Appia Restoration


2-07-07
Appia Series 1


1-24-07
Kalikow on the 612K


1-10-07
Articles on Alfa Romeo


1-03-07
Fiat Balilla Berlinetta



Advertising


New Website Features

  • Search articles and archives

  • Submit your comments to a specific article

  • Email an article to a friend

  • Browse real time classifieds from Hemmings and Ebay

  • Shop at VeloceToday's Store for Books and more

To see these new features in action visit the new website at: www.VeloceToday.com