Slippery When Dry... [PIC]

By the mid-thirties, it became an absolute fact that aerodynamic bodies can be as important as horsepower. In courses with long straightaways, at higher speeds, drag increased exponentially and was most notable with roadsters. Special Le Mans dedicated berlinettas with angled radiators and windscreens and more integrated headlamps were becoming a standard. This Touring of Milan bodied, one-off, 1938 Alfa-Romeo 8C 2900B Le Mans Berlinetta also employed rear wheel spats and the cabin pinched in the rear as a vertical stabilizer. The car, driven by Clemente Biondetti and Raymond Sommer took an astounding 11 lap lead - the largest ever at Le Mans until, in the final hours, a series of mechanical problems forced them to retire. The car was shipped back to Alfa and never raced again. The car started as one of 5 2900B chassis built in early '38 with the 2.9 liter straight 8 cylinder engine, made of 2 4 cylinder blocks, that was upped to produce a race day 220 hp. The car was ultimately sold and passed through various owners until Alfa traded for it so it now resides in their Museo Storico with an occasional showing at Goodwood.