A 1939 Alfa Romeo 8C 2900B Lungo Touring Spider has set a new auction record for a pre-war car.
It sold for $19.8m on the second day of RM Sotheby's Monterey auction on August 20, edging out the previous record of $11.8m (set by a 1936 Mercedes-Benz 540K in 2012) by 67.7%.
 The Alfa Romeo features rare Touring of Milan coachwork |
The car is one of an estimated 12 survivors, of which only seven feature the rare Lungo (long) wheelbase.
It displays magnificent coachwork by Touring of Milan.
It's famous among the car collecting community, having achieved an award at the Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance for its restoration.
Ian Kelleher of Sotheby's said: "The Alfa 2.9 is a car of peerless engineering and extreme elegance - in my mind it represents the absolute highest echelon of car collecting and is a perfect fit for our sale during the Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance week.
"From the standpoint of an automotive enthusiast, there is perhaps no more resplendent sound than that of the twin supercharged, dual overhead cam straight-eight engine of the mighty Alfa 8C at full speed.
"Without question, acquiring a car of such magnitude establishes one's collection at the forefront of the hobby."
RM Sotheby's Monterey auction was a real blockbuster this year, with records also set for the most valuable British and American cars at auction.
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