Peter Giddings Racing
1935 ALFA ROMEO TIPO C 8C-35 FRAME #8, ENGINE # 50012 – (SCUDERIA FERRARI #64)This “HAT” section Tipo C 8C-35 chassis (frame #8) was discovered by Aldo Cesaro in 1996. Missing its engine and transaxle, this chassis was in bad shape as the result of at least two major accidents. Auto Restorations of Christchurch, New Zealand accepted the challenge of rebuild comprising of Tipo C 8C-35 frame # 8, c/w its original front brakes and suspension, together with two incomplete 12C-37 transaxles (one of them #4521) c/w axle tubes, half shafts, etc., original Tipo C rear brakes, and Tipo C engine # 50012 (SF # 64). Auto Restorations produced new GP bodywork together with fuel tank, oil tank, and radiator, all faithful replications from blown up to 1:1 factory drawings. All other detail parts and instrumentation, were collated during the restoration, utilizing original and manufactured items to factory specifications and drawings. Towards the end of the restoration, my Tipo C 8C-35 # 50013 (Scuderia Ferrari # 65), was shipped to Auto Restorations for comparison purposes. It was particularly gratifying to note that all of their work to that point in time was 100% accurate. Whilst (other than with # 50013) it is virtually impossible to ascribe any particular Alfa Romeo Tipo Cs to any specific races, one exception is Tipo C 8C-35 #50012 (SF #64). Chassis #50012 (now on display at the Alfa Romeo Museum with a 12C-36 engine fitted) was initially raced by Scuderia Ferrari in various European events, subsequent to which it was shipped to New York, USA as a spare/practice car for the 1936 Vanderbilt Cup. Driven in practice by Brivio, Farina, and Nuvolari it was sold post race to Bill White to be driven by Rex Mays (purchase price with spares $9,500!) After an amazing third place in the second George Vanderbilt Cup race, 3.8 engine #50012, needed to be reduced to 3 liters over the winter of 1937/38 in order to comply with the new international Grand Prix regulations. Bill White commissioned Fred Offenhauser and Ed Winfield to effect this work, the result being a superbly designed short throw crank and blocks of slightly smaller bore incorporating cup type cam followers. With redesigned “Winfield” cams, engine # 50012 was now ready for Indianapolis! At the 1938 Indianapolis 500 race, Rex Mays in #50012 actually led for the first few laps, finally finishing third overall. As Simon recounts in his chapter on #50012, Dave Uihlein eventually ended up with #50012’s engine for possible fitment to his Tipo B #50002. (In reality, it would not have fitted, given the fact that the Tipo C engine is larger in all dimensions than that of the 2.9 8C). In deference to engine # 50012’s illustrious American racing history, I have retained the Offenhauser / Winfield 3 liter configuration. Tipo C engine # 50012 (SF #64) now begins a new era of historic racing – hopefully years from now we shall look back on some additional good racing results, and marvel at an engine which is no longer a mere 12 year Indianapolis veteran, but the heart of a 74 year old Alfa Romeo Tipo C 8C-35 frame! RACE RESULTS IN PETER’S HANDS: Ruapuna, February 2002: 1st vintage revised May 2010
Tipo C #51102 at Moroso Raceway, 2004. Photo by Mike Sims.
Peter Smoking Off the Turn at Moroso, 2004. Photo by Christopher McNeil
Peter Cornering Hard at Dunedin, New Zealand.
Great View of the (Very!) Independent Suspension of the Tipo C, Dunedin, New Zealand.
Staying ahead of the pack in New Zealand. Photo by Euan Cameron.
Reconstruction of #50012 at Auto Restorations, Christchurch, New Zealand, January 1998.
Peter cutting it close, on the way to another win in Tipo C #50012 at Coronado. Bob Dunsmore photo.
Peter lifts a wheel to stay ahead of his friend, Bill Watkins, in his special Cooper Bristol. Photo by Euan Cameron.
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