While the outlandish Alfa Romeo Tipo A was a temporary solution just to avoid leaving space for competitors to fill, the great project on which Vittorio Jano was working as the 1930s dawned was destined to leave an indelible imprint on the history of Alfa Romeo: the Gran Premio Tipo B.
The ladder-type steel chassis was derived from that of the Tipo A, but the mechanicals were entirely new: the car had a dual block straight eight engine with light alloy fixed heads. The displacement was 2654 cc and the maximum power 215 HP, giving a top speed of 232 km/h. The transmission layout was also highly unusual, with the differential mounted directly at the gearbox output, driving the wheels by means of two long drive-shafts in a V arrangement, with two bevel gear pairs. This solution enabled Jano to lower the car's centre of gravity, with the driver seated lower down.
The car made its debut at the 1932 Italian GP, won by Nuvolari in the new car as tradition required. This was followed by victory in the French GP, the "triple" at the German GP, and wins in the Coppa Ciano, the Coppa Acerbo, at the Circuito Principe di Piemonte and at Monza. In 1933'Alfa Romeo, sold to IRI, withdrew from racing, giving the official reason that the Tipo B had been "proved unbeatable": the car's operation was handed over to the Scuderia Ferrari.
In 1934 the regulations changed and at the same time more competitors entered the fray with the return of Mercedes and Auto Union. The Tipo B was updated with wider bodywork, a stronger chassis and an evolution of the engine, now of 2905, with 255 HP and 262 km/h. After a successful start to the season, the car's fortunes fluctuated, and for the Avus GP Cesare Pallavicino designed a special aerodynamic body, tested on the Milan-Lakes motorway and driven to victory by Guy Moll.
In its farewell, the car was again driven by the "Flying Mantovan", who in 1935 achieved an incredible triumph in the German GP on the legendary Nürburgring circuit in an elderly Tipo B with a 3165 cc engine delivering 265 HP and 275 km/h.
