1932 Alfa Romeo 8C 2300 Figoni Cabriolet
- Engine
- 2.3L inline-eight (two four-cylinder blocks end-to-end), twin overhead camshafts, hemispherical combustion chambers, supercharged
- Colour
- Dove grey with scarlet accents
A 1932 Alfa Romeo 8C 2300 bodied by Figoni as a distinctive cabriolet for its first owner, Roger Goldet, this chassis carries a history as colourful as its elegant dove-grey and scarlet coachwork. Associated with racing driver Raymond Sommer and Bugatti hunter Antoine Raffaelli, it passed through French and American hands before a thorough restoration by 8C specialist Chris Leydon. The car retains numerous original components and has been shown and driven extensively in its restored form.
Ownership
- —Auction saleEstimate US$3,000,000 – US$3,500,000
- 1932 → 1935Factory deliveryRoger Goldetfull documentation
Original owner who commissioned the bespoke Figoni cabriolet body at elevated cost, including premium leather and custom wipers. Returned the car to Figoni on multiple occasions for additional work, each time identified by the original registration plate.
- 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 companion; precise sale date and departure date are uncertain.
- → 1962Acquisition unknownSommer's companion in southern Francepartial documentation
Unnamed woman with whom Sommer left the car; it had been registered in the South of France since December 1951 and was held at Chateau Scott until sold.
- 1962 → 1965Private saleAntoine Raffaellipartial documentation
Well-known post-war vehicle hunter who purchased the car at Chateau Scott from Sommer's companion, then sold it on three years later.
- 1965 → 1987Private salePaul Sacpartial documentation
Had the bodywork refinished in two blue tones by the Turin coachbuilder Savio; retained the car for more than twenty years before selling.
- 1987 →Private saleRobert Rubinpartial documentation
New York-based owner of the Bridgehampton circuit and active vintage competitor who commissioned a full restoration by 8C specialist Chris Leydon, resulting in the current dove grey and scarlet finish. Later exchanged this car together with an 8C 2900 for a Maserati 8CTF before restoration was finalised.
- Date unknownPrivate saleNick Harleypartial documentation
Received the car as part of the exchange with Rubin, had Leydon finish the restoration, then drove the car extensively — over 20,000 miles — and exhibited it at numerous events before it passed to the present collection.
- Date unknownPrivate salePresent collectionpartial documentation
Acquired from Harley in the early 1990s; precise year not stated.
Competition
- 1933-06-23Concours d'Elegance Femininie en Automobile 1933
The car was loaned by Goldet to fashion designer Countess Vera Borea for display at this concours event; no competitive result recorded.
Maintenance & restoration
- 1932BodyworkFigoni
Figoni cabriolet body completed to Goldet's specification, featuring twin rear-mounted spare wheels, two-tone paintwork with a sweep panel, Vaumol leather interior, and bespoke windshield wipers.
Body ordered at elevated cost due to Goldet's personal customisation requests.
- 1965BodyworkSavio
Coachwork refinished in a two-tone blue scheme by Turin-based coachbuilder Savio.
Carried out under Paul Sac's ownership.
- —MaintenanceFigoni
Car returned to Figoni on several occasions by Goldet for supplementary work, each visit documented with the original registration plate as reference.
Multiple separate work orders recorded; dates not individually specified.
- —RestorationChris Leydon
Comprehensive restoration by Alfa Romeo 8C specialist Chris Leydon, resulting in the current dove-grey and scarlet livery. Work was initiated by Robert Rubin and completed under Nick Harley's ownership.
The car changed hands mid-restoration as part of a three-way exchange; the new owner instructed Leydon to see the work through to completion.
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