was so named because part of its network of chassis frames was
exposed and looked much like a birdcage.
The result was a car that weighed 2,900 pounds when equipped
with its hand-formed, aluminum body—at the time, cars of a
similar style and size might weigh more than 4,000 pounds. This
certainly helped the car perform, so much so that this particular car,
chassis number 412035, was the winner of the inaugural Watkins
Glen Grand Prix in 1948.
Underneath the car’s Corrozzeria Touring body, the car has a
twin-supercharged straight eight under the hood that produces
180 bhp. It also has independent front and rear suspension and
hydraulic drum brakes. Each of the 40 or so examples of this car
that were built is different; this one can be identified by its slotted
rear fender skirts and the side-hood louvers that extend into the
cowl scutttle.
Upon its restoration this Alfa Romeo was shown at the 2008
Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance, where it won best of show. It
repeated that performance at the 2009 Villa d’Este Concorso in
Lake Como, Italy.
lu
(lu)
#1