86-year-old Alfa Romeo roadster sold for $14 million (35 photos)
An Alfa Romeo 8C roadster, produced in 1938, was auctioned off by Gooding & Company. Of the approximately fifty examples produced, no more than five have survived to this day. The final bid was $14.03 million. It sounds incredible, but they planned to get even more money for the car - from $16 to $20 million. 
The inline "eight" Alfa Romeo saw the light of day in 1931. Its volume was initially 2.3 liters, then increased to 2.6, and by the end of the decade it reached 2.9 liters. The engine has an aluminum cylinder head, two Weber carburetors and two camshafts driven by gears.
Two Roots superchargers help the engine develop 180 hp. And this is not the limit: there were versions with a power output of up to 225 hp. A four-speed "mechanics" transmits traction to the rear wheels. The maximum speed of the car, according to some sources, exceeds 212 km/ h.
The Alfa Romeo 8C chassis for sale received a custom body from the Carrozzeria Touring studio. Unlike its counterparts, it uses a lightweight steel tubular frame instead of a massive and heavy wooden one. The outer panels are made of aluminum.
The full name of the car is Alfa Romeo 8C 2900B Lungo Spider. From 1935 to 1939, less than fifty copies of the 8C with a 2.9 engine were made. Of these, only a few were roadsters with a long wheelbase (as indicated by the word Lungo).
During its long life, the car visited Egypt, Switzerland, and the USA. In 1994, it underwent a complete restoration. Then the car was stolen during transportation along with a truck. And only at the end of 2023, it was found by the FBI. Since the owner received an insurance payment, the roadster is now the property of the insurance company. 
[thumb]https://cn22.nevsedoma.com.ua/p/28/2807/127_files/1938-alfa-romeo-8c-2900b-l s-70-salfnd.webp[/thumb]
