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Alfa Romeo Tipo B P3

Best of Show VdE 2025 Winner

Tipo B P3

Model

Monoposto

Year of construction

750

Weight

255

Horsepower

2.9 Liter 8-inline

Cylinder Capacity

The Alfa Romeo P3, also known as the Tipo B, was one of the most dominant Grand Prix cars of the 1930s, designed by Vittorio Jano for Scuderia Ferrari. Lightweight, supercharged, and beautifully engineered, it became a symbol of Italian racing excellence and won numerous major races between 1932 and 1935.

Model History

The Alfa Romeo Tipo B, also known as the P3, was a groundbreaking Grand Prix race car introduced in 1932 and designed by the legendary engineer Vittorio Jano. As the first true single-seater (monoposto) in Grand Prix racing history, the P3 set new standards in both design and performance. Powered by a supercharged inline-eight engine, it combined light weight, advanced engineering, and exceptional handling.

Initially campaigned by Scuderia Ferrari, which operated as Alfa Romeo's semi-official racing team at the time, the P3 quickly proved to be a dominant force. It won on its debut at the Italian Grand Prix and continued to secure victories across Europe, including major wins in Monaco, France, and Germany. Even as racing evolved, the P3 remained competitive well into the mid-1930s, earning a place as one of the most iconic and successful race cars of its era.

Its elegant proportions and technical innovation have made the Alfa Romeo P3 a true legend in motorsport history.

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Chassis #50003

Alfa Romeo P3 – Chassis #50003 is one of the most historically significant and best-preserved examples of the legendary Tipo B. Originally delivered to Scuderia Ferrari in 1934, the car competed as SF 43 and was driven by icons such as Achille Varzi, Louis Chiron, and Tazio Nuvolari, securing major podium finishes including victory at the 1934 Tripoli Grand Prix and 2nd place at the French GP. It is widely believed to have been Nuvolari’s winning car at the 1935 Pau Grand Prix, as referenced by Bill Boddy in his Brooklands – 1940 publication.

Following its time with Ferrari, #50003 continued its competitive journey under Charles Martin, achieving further success at Pau and Brooklands. The car was then acquired by Jack Bartlett in the UK, before being sold to Lex Davison, who famously campaigned it in Australia from 1948, collecting wins at Nuriootpa and Fishermans Bend. Its legacy in Australian motorsport was further cemented with a victory at the 1955 Queensland Grand Prix under Steven Ames.

The car's provenance, originality, and authenticity have been meticulously verified by renowned Alfa Romeo historian Simon Moore, with documentation showing an unbroken, international chain of ownership across Italy, the UK, and Australia. Impressively, #50003 retains its original bodywork, crankcase, and Scuderia Ferrari-stamped components.

In the modern era, the car has remained highly active, taking 2nd place at the 2010 Goodwood Revival and winning the 2014 Monaco Historic Grand Prix. Most recently, its unique combination of competition history, authenticity, and preservation was recognized with Best of Show at the 2025 Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este – a crowning achievement for one of the most storied Grand Prix cars in existence.