Editing Alfa Romeo RL & RM/Chassis Registry/Chassis/RLTF/8274 (section)

= Alfa Romeo RL Targa Florio chassis RL 8274 TF/2 (UK reg. XW 3348) =

{{ChassisEntry
| manufacturer = Alfa Romeo
| model = Alfa Romeo RL & RM
| variant = RL Targa Florio (attributed)
| year = 1923/1924
| chassis = RL 8274 TF/2 (attributed)
| engine = Crankcase 7324 S; cylinder head 8274 TF
| gearbox = Close-ratio RL TF gearbox (stamped TF 2)
| body = Targa Florio-style competition body
| coachbuilder = Attributed Zagato (unconfirmed)

| engine_size_original = 2,994 cc or 3,600 cc (period RL TF variants)
| engine_size_current  = 3.6 litre specification (modified)

| body_style_original = RL TF competition body (bullnose or pointed radiator depending on period)
| body_style_current  = 1924-specification pointed radiator TF-style body

| colour_original = Competition red
| colour_current  = Red

| interior_original = Competition specification
| interior_current  = Competition specification

| first_completed = 1923 or early 1924 (attributed)
| first_delivered = 20/11/1924 (UK registration date)
| first_destination = United Kingdom (via Tony Lago)
| original_registration = XW 3348 (UK)

| notes_short = Long UK history from 1924; multiple major components stamped “TF 2”; attribution as original 1923/24 RL TF based primarily on owner-supplied research and component evidence; no surviving Alfa Romeo factory documentation confirming chassis identity.

| blurb = A UK-registered Alfa Romeo RL Targa Florio attributed to chassis RL 8274 TF/2, continuously documented in Britain from 1924, with major components stamped “TF 2”, but without surviving factory records conclusively confirming original works provenance.

| registry_page = Alfa Romeo RL & RM/Chassis Registry
}}

----

== Attribution and provenance status ==

The current owner attributes this car to one of the original Alfa Romeo RL Targa Florio works cars of 1923 or 1924.

This attribution is based on:

* Rear axle stamping: “Alfa Romeo 8874 Tipo RL TF 2”
* Close-ratio gearbox stamped “TF 2”
* Cylinder head stamped “8274 TF”
* Period-correct steering box mounting hole consistent with 1923 TF layout
* Hand-trimmed chassis rail edges typical of works preparation
* Continuous UK history from November 1924

However:

* No surviving Alfa Romeo factory build sheets confirm the chassis identity.
* No unequivocal original chassis frame number has been documented.
* Period documentation does not conclusively link chassis RL 8274 to a specific 1923 or 1924 Targa Florio entrant.

Accordingly, the RL TF attribution remains informed but not definitively proven.

Source of attribution: current owner research and component analysis.

----

== Ownership history ==

{| class="wikitable sortable"
! No. !! Owner !! Location !! Notes !! From !! To
|-
| 1 || Agostino Lanfranchi || United Kingdom || Registered for Brooklands competition || 20/11/1924 || 1920s
|-
| 2 || Various UK competition owners || United Kingdom || Brooklands and sand racing participation || 1920s || 1950s
|-
| 3 || Mann family || United Kingdom || Over 60 years ownership; extensive VSCC participation || c.1960 || 2000s
|-
| 4 || Current owner || United Kingdom || Maintains RL TF attribution; continued international participation || Recent decades || Present
|}

Continuous UK history documented from 1924.

----

== Registration history ==

{| class="wikitable sortable"
! Registration !! Location !! From !! To !! Notes
|-
| XW 3348 || United Kingdom || 20/11/1924 || Present || Original UK registration retained
|}

----

== Competition history (period) ==

{| class="wikitable sortable"
! Year !! Event !! Driver !! Result !! Notes
|-
| 1924–1920s || Brooklands races || A. Lanfranchi and others || Wins; best lap ~94 mph || Documented in Brooklands records
|-
| Late 1920s || Southport sand races || Various || — || Period participation
|-
| Early 1930s || Inter-varsity events || Various || — || Documented entries
|}

Contemporary references appear in Brooklands histories and early Motor Sport reporting.

----

== Appearances and non-competitive events ==

{| class="wikitable sortable"
! Year !! Event !! Notes
|-
| 1960 onwards || VSCC events || Long competition history
|-
| Various || International historic events (Italy, Holland, Sweden, Germany, USA) || Extensive use
|-
| Multiple || Motor Sport and Classic & Sports Car features || Including June 2005 “Vintage Red”
|}

----

== Restoration and mechanical history ==

* Forensic disassembly conducted with full photographic documentation.
* No definitive original chassis number located.
* Rear axle stamped “TF 2”.
* Close-ratio gearbox stamped “TF 2”.
* Cylinder head stamped “8274 TF”.
* Engine crankcase number “7324 S” (1923 series).
* Originally fitted with four-main-bearing engine configuration.
* Currently fitted with 3.6-litre crankshaft and modern connecting rods.
* Retains:
  * Original close-ratio gearbox
  * 3.3:1 Corsa rear axle ratio
  * Right-hand gear change
  * Outside handbrake

Non-original or replacement elements:

* Reconstructed fuel tank
* Replacement brake drums (stiffer but pattern-correct)
* Carburettors similar but not confirmed original specification

----

== Technical specification (RL Targa Florio type) ==

RL TF models (1923–1924):

* Inline six-cylinder OHV engine
* 2,994 cc or 3,600 cc variants
* Four-speed close-ratio gearbox
* Shortened chassis
* Lightweight competition body
* Mechanical brakes (four-wheel from 1924)
* Corsa axle ratios

----

== Comparative context ==

Other known RL TF-related cars include:

* TF 11 (XX 5060) — UK-imported car later restored in Italy.
* Argentine-export RL TFs documented in “Alfa Romeo Argentina” (Bertschi & Iacona).
* Partial remains of ex-Count Khevenhüller RL TF under restoration.

The survival rate and original component interchange between cars complicate definitive attribution.

----

== Historical significance ==

If original RL TF status were definitively proven, this car would represent one of very few surviving Alfa Romeo works Targa Florio cars of 1923–1924.

Regardless of final attribution, it represents:

* One of the longest continuously documented RL competition cars in the UK
* A significant example of early Alfa Romeo competition machinery
* An important survivor of the Brooklands era

----

== Notes ==

* Attribution as original RL TF relies primarily on owner-supplied component analysis.
* No surviving Alfa Romeo factory build sheet confirming chassis RL 8274 TF/2.
* Component interchange between RL TF cars historically common.
* Several replica and reconstructed RL TF cars built since 1960, some using original RL components.

----

== Sources ==

* Owner-supplied documentation and research
* Luigi Fusi, “Tutte le Vetture”
* Brooklands period reports
* Motor Sport archives
* Tony Lago archive photograph (pre-UK delivery)