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

Alfa Romeo RL & RM chassis RL 8274 TF/2 (attributed) is a 1923/1924 RL Targa Florio (attributed) bodied by Attributed Zagato (unconfirmed).

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.

Factory specification

Manufacturer: Alfa Romeo
Model: Alfa Romeo RL & RM
Variant / Type: RL Targa Florio (attributed)
Year: 1923/1924

Chassis number: RL 8274 TF/2 (attributed)
Engine number: Crankcase 7324 S; cylinder head 8274 TF
Gearbox number: Close-ratio RL TF gearbox (stamped TF 2)
Body number: Targa Florio-style competition body
Coachbuilder: Attributed Zagato (unconfirmed)

Engine size (as built): 2,994 cc or 3,600 cc (period RL TF variants)
Engine size (current): 3.6 litre specification (modified)

Body style / type (as built): RL TF competition body (bullnose or pointed radiator depending on period)
Body style / type (current): 1924-specification pointed radiator TF-style body

Colour (as built): Competition red
Colour (current): Red

Interior colour (as built): Competition specification
Interior colour (current): Competition specification

First completed: 1923 or early 1924 (attributed)
First delivered: 20/11/1924 (UK registration date)
First dealer / destination: United Kingdom (via Tony Lago)
Original registration: XW 3348 (UK)

Notes: 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.

Registry: 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

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

Registration	Location	From	To	Notes
XW 3348	United Kingdom	20/11/1924	Present	Original UK registration retained

Competition history (period)

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

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)