Gerald Wingrove’s latest project, recently completed, is the 1938 2.9 Alfa Romeo Spider, chassis 412014, in a scale of 1:15 with full engine and chassis detail from data collected from the actual car as well as much additional data to show the car as it was originally built.  The material is mainly brass for the chassis, pewter for the engine and gear box/rear axle and copper for the bodywork, together with some nickel silver for small items of bright work.

The Jano designed eight-cylinder engine, initially of 2.3 litres was created by mounting a pair of alloy blocks of four cylinders each on a single crankcase. An alloy head held two camshafts, and the engine was fitted with two Roots-type superchargers and used in Alfa Grand Prix cars.

Following the rise to dominance of the German Grand Prix teams, Alfa Romeo concentrated more on sports car and road racing. Designed specifically for Italy's legendary Mille Miglia road race, the 8C 2900A featured all-round independent suspension, with wishbones at the front and swing-axles at the rear. Installed in the chassis was a 220 bhp version of Jano’s 2.9 litre eight-cylinder engine.
Six 8C 2900A road racers were constructed and three ran in the 1936 Mille Miglia taking the first three places. A year later saw a second victory. With these winning cars as a base, road going cars were introduced. Most were fitted by Touring with Berlinetta, Spyder and Roadster bodies. It was the ‘super car’ of its day.
This 8C 2900B was also raced, fitted with a 220 bhp engine. Most were fitted with roadster bodies and competed in road races like the Mille Miglia. After the 8C 2900A victories in 1936 and 37, another two victories were scored by the 8C 2900B in 1938 and 1947. No other Alfa Romeo scored as many wins in the Mille Miglia, sadly no longer run.

The subject of the model, chassis 412014, was fitted with a Touring Spider body and painted red, and shown at the 1937 Milan Motor Show. It was subsequently delivered to its first owner in New York, who sold the car in the early 1950s. It changed hands several more times until the present owner bought it in the mid-1980s and had it restored. The car appeared at the 1988 Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance where it was awarded Best in Show. It has since been used, and has been shown at events around the world.

A stunning car and a stunning model.