The Don Lee Special - 1934 Alfa Romeo P3 Tipo B

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The Don Lee Special, or more accurately, the 1934 Alfa Romeo P3 Tipo B, one of the Don Lee Specials.

Shot at Goodwood, the 83rd Members Meeting during qualifying. I was very fortunate to be gifted a guest ticket by one of the competitors. 
Designed by Vittorio Jano, powered by an 8-cylinder engine that was supercharged by two compressors producing up to 265 hp, depending on the specification. The differential was mounted directly behind the gearbox, so that the two drive shafts could be guided sideways past the driver to the rear. This allowed for a lower seating position and improved road holding. Weighing 680kg it is recognised as the first genuine single seat Grand Prix car.
The P3 Tipo B, built from 1932 onwards, was the most successful racing car of the Milanese brand before the 2nd World War, driven in period by such racing legends as Rudolf Caracciola and Tazio Nuvolari.
I'll happily be corrected, but I believe this is chassis number 50002, used by Scuderia Ferrari and later sold to Don Lee where he competed in the Indianapolis 500-mile race in 1939/1940 and 1946/47 (at this point I wish I'd bought a programme)

Entered by Josef Rettenmaier, driven by Stephan Rettenmaier for Darnley House in the Varzi Trophy, which this year was dedicated to the Heritage of Alfa Romeo and Bugatti.



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