June 04, 2009

Alfa Romeo 6C-2500 and 8C-2900

A little history

By the mid-Thirties Alfa Romeo had became one of the most famous automobile manufacturers in the world: its cars were victorious on the track, and very exclusive on the market.

Just before World War Two, two ranges, both designed by famed engineer Vittorio Jano and closely intertwined with the company’s racing cars, were offered to the public. The most prestigious was the 8C, a powerful 8-cylinder car which, since 1936, was powered by a 2.9-litre engine. Originally based on the “Tipo B” Grand Prix racer, the 8C-2900 offered high-end performance combined with the most graceful bodies. This extremely attractive package came with a price, though, and consequently only 30 8C-2900 were ever built until the war. Production wasn’t resumed after peace was re-established.

Designed as a (slightly) cheaper alternative to the 8C, the 6C was a 6-cylinder machine, equipped with a 2.5-litre engine starting in model year 1938. 6Cs were generally equally elegant than the bigger 8Cs, but weren’t performance-aimed. Hand-built as the 8C was, the 6C saw 680 built until 1952 – still an extremely limited production run. Its successor, the 1900, was designed to be mass-produced, but despite this Alfa Romeos would be able to preserve this “exclusive” image of them for many more years to come.

About the models

Model: Alfa Romeo 6C-2500
Year: c.1938
Maker: Solido
Scale: 1/43
Distributed by: Solido, "Sixties" series
Acquired: second hand with stand and box, in May 2006, in Manila, Philippines

Nice enough reproduction, though rather old and apparently not available since some times now, of an Alfa 6C by Solido. Its main flaw is the assembly of the various metal parts forming its body, which aren't adjusted well enough to be discreet. My rating is 12/20.

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Model: Alfa Romeo 6C-2500, body by Touring
Year: 1939
Maker: Ixo
Scale: 1/43
Distributed by: Altaya as no.36 of its Voitures Classiques press series
Acquired: brand new, in April 2007, in Souillac, France

A nice reproduction from an original car, this die-cast is yet predictable, lacking refinement in many parts and notably in its wire wheels, as it is the tradition for Ixo's press release versions of its models. My rating is 12/20.

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Model: Alfa Romeo 8C-2900B, body by Touring
Year: 1938
Maker: Ixo
Scale: 1/43
Distributed by: Altaya as no.5 of its Voitures Classiques press series
Acquired: brand new, in August 2006, in Souillac, France

This early release from Altaya's Voitures classiques series announced many more beautiful models to come. Obviously there's again the wire wheels issue which brings the rating a little down, but otherwise this model is splendid. I'd give 14/20 to it.

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Model: Alfa Romeo 8C-2900B, body by Touring
Year: 1938
Event: 1938 Le Mans 24 Hours, driven by Raymond Sommer and Clemente Biondetti (retired)
Maker: Minichamps
Scale: 1/43
Distributed by: Minichamps, "Le Glorie della Alfa Romeo" series
Acquired: brand new, in September 2007, in Manila, Philippines

Perfect is the simple word to describe Minichamps’ model of the lone aerodynamic coupe designed by Touring for the Le Mans 24-Hour race. Worth every penny spent for it: 17/20.

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