Alfa Romeo 8C Competizione History

First shown as a concept at the 2003 Frankfurt Motor Show, the 8C Competizione entered limited production from 2007 to 2010. Its 4.7-litre V8 was assembled by Ferrari at Maranello, producing 444 hp, and the rear-wheel-drive chassis was built by Maserati in Modena. The name referenced Alfa Romeo's legendary pre-war straight-eight (8C) racing cars.

Production was strictly limited: 500 coupés (8C Competizione) and 329 open-top Spiders were built, the latter figure reduced from a planned 500 due to the impact of the 2008–2009 recession. The 8C marked Alfa Romeo's brief return to the US market in 2008 — the brand's first American deliveries since the 164 was discontinued after 1995 — before withdrawing again until the 4C arrived.