Given the right driver (Nuvolari) and car (this very Alfa Romeo 8C-35), the giants of pre-War Grand Prix motor racing could be humbled.

It was at the Coppa Ciano in 1936, held at the Italian Livorno street circuit, that the great Italian driver scored one of his most memorable wins, beating the entire Auto Union team in a dash through the field in this supercharged eight-cylinder Alfa Romeo GP car, chassis 50013.

This September, Bonhams will offer the car for sale as part of its Goodwood Revival catalogue. Estimate: £5.5m – 6.5m.

Photos: Bonhams/Pawel Litwinski