$1M buys you an Alfa Romeo from the 1930s, but there’s a catch

A highly desirable example of the Alfa Romeo 8C 2300 Monza said to belong to the model year 1934 is set to cross the auction block in the UK in early July. The seller hopes to get £800,000 for it, which is more than a million USD, for what is essentially a period-correct modern replica.

According to the listing, the owner ordered the classic vehicle built for his collection using as many original blueprints as possible. The build took place from 2019 until 2023, with the engine and the finishing handled by companies in the UK and the chassis and bodywork by New Zealand. It reportedly cost several hundreds of thousands of GBP to build. For instance, the 3.0-liter inline-8 engine alone cost £315,000 (more than $420,000). It outputs an estimated 230 PS (227 hp / 169 kW) to a four-speed transmission.

Wherever possible, the builders used OEM parts or fabricated their own using the schematics and manufacturing tools from the ‘30s. This painstakingly precise execution of the project enabled it to get a period-correct registration certificate from the FIA. In practice, this means whoever buys this Alfa Romeo will be legally able to take it to a variety of retro car races and other events, presenting it as genuine.

The original 8C 2300 Monza rose to fame when it won the F1 Italy Grand Prix and the Targa Florio race. It used to be piloted by such legends as Tazio Nuvolari and Louis Chiron. The replica seen here partially mimics the exterior of Chiron’s 8C.