1932 Alfa Romeo 8C 2300 Figoni Cabriolet
- Engine
- 2.3L straight-eight with twin overhead camshafts, supercharged, split crankshaft with central gear drive
- Colour
- Dove grey with scarlet accents
An Alfa Romeo 8C 2300 clothed in one of only seven bodies produced for the model by the Parisian coachbuilder Figoni, this cabriolet was commissioned in 1932 by its first owner, Roger Goldet, and later associated with racing driver Raymond Sommer. After decades in the South of France, the car passed through several notable collectors, underwent a full restoration by Alfa Romeo 8C specialist Chris Leydon, and accumulated over 20,000 post-restoration road miles. It retains a remarkable proportion of original 2.3 components and has existed in its present Figoni configuration for more than seventy years.
Ownership
- —Auction saleEstimate US$4,000,000 – US$6,000,000
- 1932 → 1935Factory deliveryRoger Goldetfull documentation
Commissioned the Figoni cabriolet body directly, with numerous bespoke details at significant extra expense. Returned the car to Figoni on multiple occasions for further work, each time identified by the original registration number.
- 1935 →Private saleRaymond Sommerpartial documentation
Racing driver who reportedly acquired the car from Goldet around 1935 and left it in the South of France with a female acquaintance. His ownership is considered significant given his concurrent ownership of another 8C 2300 chassis.
- → 1962Acquisition unknownSommer's companion in the South of Francepartial documentation
The car remained in her care at Chateau Scott in the South of France, registered there from December 1951.
- 1962 → 1965Private saleAntoine Raffaellipartial documentation
Known as a prominent post-war Bugatti hunter, he purchased the car from Sommer's companion at Chateau Scott.
- 1965 → 1987Private salePaul Sacpartial documentation
Had the coachwork refinished in two shades of blue by Turin-based coachbuilder Savio and retained the car for over two decades.
- 1987 →Private saleRobert Rubinpartial documentation
New York-based owner of the Bridgehampton racing circuit and an active vintage car collector; commissioned a full restoration with specialist Chris Leydon before trading the car, along with an Alfa Romeo 8C 2900, for a Maserati 8CTF.
- Date unknownPrivate saleNick Harleypartial documentation
Had Leydon complete the restoration and subsequently drove the car extensively, covering over 20,000 miles, while also exhibiting it at numerous shows.
- Date unknownPrivate saleCurrent collection ownerpartial documentation
Acquired from Nick Harley in the early 1990s; no further detail on identity is provided in the source material.
Competition
- 1933-06-23Concours d'Elegance Feminine en Automobile
The car was loaned by Goldet to dressmaker Countess Vera Borea for display at this event.
Maintenance & restoration
- 1932BodyworkFigoni
Figoni cabriolet body completed to Goldet's individual specification, featuring dual rear-mounted spare wheels, two-tone paintwork divided by a sweep panel, premium Vaumol leather upholstery, and custom windshield wipers.
Body commissioned directly by the first owner at elevated cost due to bespoke requests.
- 1965BodyworkSavio
Exterior refinished in a two-tone blue scheme by Turin-based coachbuilder Savio, commissioned by then-owner Paul Sac.
- —MaintenanceFigoni
Car returned to Figoni on multiple occasions by Goldet for supplementary work; each order referenced the original registration plate.
Exact nature and dates of individual return visits not specified in the catalogue.
- —RestorationChris Leydon
Full restoration carried out by Alfa Romeo 8C specialist Chris Leydon, resulting in the current dove grey and scarlet livery. Work was initiated by Robert Rubin but completed under the ownership of Nick Harley.
During this restoration two chassis numbers were found on the frame; the crankcase number, which had previously been altered, was reportedly restamped to its correct form.
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