Description
The Alfa Romeo 8C 2900 B Lungo is one of the most revered luxury grand tourers of the pre-war era, celebrated for its exquisite design, advanced engineering, and commanding road presence. Introduced in the late 1930s as part of Alfa Romeo’s prestigious 8C 2900 B series, the “Lungo” designation refers to its long-wheelbase chassis, which offered enhanced comfort and space while maintaining the exceptional performance and handling for which the 8C series was renowned.
At the core of the 8C 2900 B Lungo is Alfa Romeo’s legendary 2.9-liter straight-eight engine, designed by the engineering mastermind Vittorio Jano. This advanced powerplant featured dual overhead camshafts and twin Roots-type superchargers, generating 180–220 horsepower depending on the configuration. The engine was a direct descendant of Alfa Romeo’s Grand Prix racing powertrains, providing the Lungo with race-bred performance characteristics. Mated to a four-speed manual transmission, the car could achieve top speeds exceeding 120 mph, making it one of the fastest road cars of its time.
The 8C 2900 B Lungo was built on a longer wheelbase chassis (3,000 mm) compared to the shorter “Corto” version. This extended chassis offered more interior space and greater ride comfort, making it an ideal choice for luxurious touring. The chassis was constructed from tubular steel, ensuring a lightweight yet rigid structure. It also featured independent suspension on all four wheels, using transverse leaf springs and trailing arms—a groundbreaking feature in the 1930s that provided exceptional handling and ride quality. Hydraulic drum brakes ensured dependable stopping power, adding to the car’s usability.
The Lungo variant served as a platform for some of the most beautiful and elegant coachbuilt designs of the era. Renowned carrozzerias like Touring, Pinin Farina, and others created bespoke bodies for the 8C 2900 B Lungo, tailoring each car to the specific desires of its wealthy and discerning clients. Touring’s Superleggera method, which combined an aluminum body with a tubular steel framework, was particularly popular and helped achieve an extraordinary balance between lightness and structural integrity.
The bodywork of the Lungo models displayed flowing lines, aerodynamic curves, and meticulously crafted details, all of which exuded sophistication and grandeur. Each example was a unique work of art, featuring design elements like long, sweeping fenders, delicately integrated headlights, and finely proportioned grilles. The cars’ presence on the road was both imposing and graceful, making a bold statement of luxury and power.
The interiors of the 8C 2900 B Lungo models were no less impressive. Finished with the finest materials, including hand-stitched leather, polished wood, and metal accents, the cabins provided an opulent environment for both driver and passengers. The dashboard was equipped with precision instruments and controls, combining functionality with timeless elegance.
Despite its focus on luxury and comfort, the 8C 2900 B Lungo retained the performance pedigree of its racing-oriented counterparts. Its chassis and powertrain were derived from Alfa Romeo’s competition cars, and the Lungo could easily hold its own on demanding roads and long-distance journeys. In addition to its grand touring capabilities, it participated in prestigious events like the Mille Miglia, further solidifying its reputation as one of the greatest pre-war automobiles.
Today, the Alfa Romeo 8C 2900 B Lungo is a symbol of automotive excellence, representing the height of pre-war design, engineering, and craftsmanship. With only a handful of examples ever produced, the Lungo is an exceedingly rare and valuable collector’s item. It remains a star attraction at major concours d’elegance and historic automotive events, celebrated for its unparalleled beauty, innovation, and legacy in the annals of automotive history.