1951 Schick/Alfa Romeo 8C 2300

Of all the 8C 2300s, this singular chassis (2311229) has one of the most interesting histories. After being used in Europe, it was sent over the America in 1950s and eventually converted into a race car with various American engines. Fortunately, it has remained this way and is currently fitted with a Mercury V8.

In 1935, this 8C started out life as a Castagna-style Drophead Coupé and was used in England. It was shipped overseas and was acquired by Tommy Lee. He raced the car with its standard body and once it was worn out, handed it down to his mechanic Gil Schick.

With no 8C engines available, Schick fitted a Mercury engine and went racing. It raced this way at the 1951 Palm Beach Races and afterward was converted into a drastically different roadster.

Adolf Deutsch was commissioned to build a new body for the Alfa/Mercury special which resembled a Zagato Tourer of the pre-war era. To really mix it up, Schick fitted Hallibrand magnesium wheels and oversize tires. Special-order Ford brakes were used from an Ambulance. Furthermore, the chassis was severely drilled to reduce weight down to 1350 lbs (613 kg).

In this specification it was sold to Tom Bamford and Keenan Wynn of British-American Motors. They used the car until the engine gave out and replaced it with a Cadillac unit.

Eventually 2311229 was found in Arizona in largely original condition. It was restored by Arizona Competition Engineering and subsequently displayed at the 2006 Pebble Beach Concours.

In Detail