Pycroft’s rebodied beauties

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We think that this cool picture of an Alfa-Romeo 8C 2300 was probably taken just prior to a photo shoot for a magazine, with the sheet being used as a backdrop in order to have an uncluttered background. Do tell us if you happen to recognise it from a period article.

Alfa-Romeo 8C 2300

The number plate BUC 228 led to a sequence of discoveries that we could not have foreseen and which raise a few more questions, starting with a lovely letter in the March 1941 issue of Motor Sport magazine. It tells us the following:

“Sir, Could you please assist me to obtain a handbook on the eight-cylinder 2.3-litre supercharged Alfa-Romeo, 1934 or 1935 vintage; also particulars of the Memini carburetter used on this model? It is of no special consequence if the information is in Italian. If any of your readers should have any information concerning a two-seater drop-head coupé by Farina on this model I should be very pleased to hear from them. The registration number of the car is BUC 228 and the chassis number is 2211062. As a matter of interest I am running the car on pool petrol, and as yet have found no detrimental effects. Pinking is completely absent, whereas my other car, a 2½-litre S.S. Jaguar “100”, had to be laid up long ago on account of chronic pre-ignition using only 40 per cent. Pool and 60 per cent. Discol. I am, Yours etc., P. de F. C. Pycroft, Ruislip, Middlesex."

That uncommon name did ring a bell and it was easy enough to find out more. P. de F.C Pycroft was in fact the winner of the very first race held at the then brand new circuit of Goodwood on 18 September 1948. His motor? The 2664cc Pycroft-Jaguar, which has to be the SS100 mentioned in the letter, but then in a later incarnation. In that guise the car was even featured in a November 1947 issue of Motor magazine. Is it a survivor? … mwah ... We understand that this most intriguing of Specials has now been rebodied with standard roadster coachwork. What a pity!

In shock, we also typed in the Alfa’s number mentioned in the letter, only to enter a minefield of anorak information. One source mentions that chassis #2211062 belonged to a Touring Le Mans long chassis spider, which at one point was written off, with ‘chassis & frame fitted to #2111025 / 2311212’. So was that pretty Farina (or should that be Pininfarina?) body seen above fitted after it was first written off, or was that the original? We did find some pictures of an 8C with registration number BUC 228 in a fairly recent Mille Miglia revival looking like most other 8C 2300s. Oh dear…

Words Jeroen Booij. Picture from the archive.

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