Today is the first day of Spring, and tulips, daffodils and snowdrops are all emerging from winter hibernation and bursting out into the daylight, but a much rarer creation has recently come out of a much longer period of hiding.
It seems almost unbelievable that an example of one of the great pre-war cars, a straight eight supercharged Alfa Romeo of the type that won Le Mans four times and the Mille Miglia three times, could be lost from sight for many, many decades and then be discovered about five years ago. It's only very special cars that get to park on the very expensive carpet in the foyer of the RAC Club in Pall Mall, London.
The lucky lad who had just graduated in 1937 was given this car as a 21st birthday present by his father and he kept it for 70 years.
During the war, it was hidden from the occupying forces and used for some years after the war before being garaged but well looked after until being acquired by the current owner.
The car left the factory in 1932 , was bodied in France by the coachbuilding firm of Figoni, and completed in time for first owner Mr Weinberg to compete in the Paris-Nice rally in March 1933. Simon Moore has spent his life painstakingly recording all 8c Alfas and researching their history. His book on the 8c 2300 cars includes a picture of car no. 2211079 in the 'mystery cars' section with first owner Weinberg on the 1933 rally.
According to the existing French registration records the car passed to Count Francois de Bremond in May 1935 and he entered the Grossglockner Hillclimb that year finishing 5th in class. He may have used it for other competitions before selling it in August 1937.
The car has spent 18 months with UK restoration specialist Blakeney Motorsport and Patrick Blakeney-Edwards and his team are to be congratulated on their careful work preparing the car for road use with no detriment to the precious original condition of the car. Check out the crackle finish on the dashboard.
If you have a 21 year old son ( or daughter), which current 'super car' would you buy them to fill them with the joys of spring?
(text Robin Batchelor)