Yahoo Autos Legendary Alfa Romeo 8C 2900B Lungo Spider to Headline with Gooding & Company
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Gooding & Company, the esteemed auction house of the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance®, has announced that a 1938 Alfa Romeo 8C 2900B Lungo Spider, chassis 412027, will be the highlight of its upcoming Pebble Beach Auctions. Estimated to fetch between $16,000,000 and $20,000,000, this rare gem is one of only five genuine long-chassis 8C 2900B Touring Spiders still in existence. The car's allure is further amplified by its dramatic history, including a high-profile theft and subsequent recovery by the FBI.
"Most great automobiles have a story to tell, but the one lived and experienced by this incredibly rare, coveted Alfa Romeo 8C 2900B Lungo is truly unmatched," said Gooding & Company President and Co-Founder, David Gooding. "From its early years in Egypt and Switzerland to its tenure in numerous world-class collections; from its exacting restoration work to multiple concours awards, and finally, a riveting heist story involving the nation’s highest level of law enforcement – this 8C 2900B Lungo is as desirable as ever. We are incredibly honored to present this unrepeatable opportunity at Pebble Beach next month."
Regarded as the finest sports car produced before WWII, the Alfa Romeo 8C 2900 represents the pinnacle of a decade’s worth of development under the visionary leadership of Alfa Romeo’s chief engineer, Vittorio Jano. The 8C 2900 boasts a 2.9-liter straight-eight engine with twin Roots-type superchargers, producing between 180 and 225 hp. The chassis features a rear-mounted four-speed transaxle, massive hydraulic brakes with finned-aluminum drums, and a fully independent suspension. The car’s body, crafted by Anderloni’s Carrozzeria Touring of Milan, uses the patented Superleggera (superlight) method, resulting in an automotive masterpiece of technical innovation and aesthetic brilliance.
Chassis 412027's storied past includes early ownership in Egypt by Major Raymond Flower and subsequent ownership in Switzerland by Hans Ernst, who raced the car in the 1950s. The car later made its way to the United States, undergoing various restorations and becoming a part of prestigious collections. Most recently, the car was involved in a dramatic theft while in transit to a restoration facility in Maine in July 2022. The vehicle was recovered by the FBI and ATF in December 2023 and has since been meticulously prepared for auction by restorer Mike Regalia.
The Alfa Romeo 8C 2900B Lungo Spider, with its advanced engineering, rich racing history, and impeccable restoration, stands as an undisputed masterpiece. The car will be a central attraction at Gooding & Company’s 20th annual Pebble Beach sale on August 16-17, where it is expected to captivate collectors and automotive enthusiasts alike.
