A rare 1932 Alfa Romeo 8C 2300 Lungo Cabriolet with ties to European royalty is set to headline RM Sotheby’s Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este auction on May 22. Expected to command between €3.5 million and €4.5 million (approximately $3.9 to $5 million), the historically significant pre-war supercar offers a remarkable combination of provenance, rarity, and concours-quality restoration.
Chassis number 2211075 is one of just 188 examples of the legendary 8C 2300 model produced between 1931 and 1933. It was originally delivered new to Prince Filiberto of Savoy-Genoa, Duke of Pistoia and Genoa, who debuted the car at the 1933 Monte Carlo Concours d’Elegance—where it finished second only to another 8C owned by Baroness Maud von Thyssen.
Featuring its original Pinin Farina cabriolet bodywork, the long-chassis “Lungo” variant remains a showcase of early 1930s Italian coachbuilding at its finest. It was later acquired by famed racing driver Vittorio Belmondo, who commissioned subtle stylistic updates including a “waterfall” grille and reshaped wings.
The car’s long and colorful history also includes decades of ownership by British enthusiast Brian Eckersley, who famously drove it on his honeymoon in 1956 and retained it for over 40 years. Following Eckersley’s passing in 1999, the current consignor returned the Alfa to Italy for a five-year, nut-and-bolt restoration by Cremonini Classics.
The restoration focused on preserving the car’s originality while honoring its historical updates. The supercharged straight-eight engine, designed by Vittorio Jano, was rebuilt, and the body refinished in period-appropriate grey with blue leather trim—echoing materials discovered during disassembly.
Documented by renowned marque historians and equipped with matching-number components, this Alfa has been displayed at Villa d’Este, Pebble Beach, Retromobile, and the Coppa della Perugina rally.
As a standout among Alfa Romeo’s most celebrated creations, this 8C 2300 Lungo represents a golden opportunity for collectors to acquire a museum-worthy vehicle with royal heritage and unmatched concours pedigree.