Alfa Romeo

Alfa Romeo was founded by Alexandre Darracq in Milan in 1910. The cars produced were, unreliable and poor, and within four years, the company was on the brink of ruin. They changed their name to “Anonima Lombarda Fabbrica Automobili” or A.L.F.A.

After the first war, the future of the company was in doubt. An industrialist named Nicola Romeo (from Naples) came in, bought into A.L.F.A. and took over as MD. A.L.F.A. was then making aero-engines, tractors, compressors and railway equipment and car-making then was a distant reminder of pre-war times.

In 1918, there was little demand for Romeo’s products. Cars were few and far between and the car market was soaring. Romeo turned to car production in earnest. However, new designs were badly needed. A new name was also needed as A.L.F.A was a bit outdated and linked with industrial engineering -- it had little significance to car purchasers. Romeo found the solution by combining the past with the future as part of an engineering group well respected for its high quality

Alfa Romeo of Milan was born.

1910-1920:

The cars initially built by Alfa Romeo were all highly technical and far ahead of their competitors. New inventions were engineered, tested and introduced in the production cars immediately. For example the double overhead camshaft (DOHC). which still appears in all modern Alfa Romeo engines. The “Torpedo” (20/30bhp!) was the first car produced by the “new” Alfa Romeo.

1920-1930:

From 1929 to 1931, the Alfa 6C 1750 is unchallenged in all the Mille Miglia races (Sports category). Alfa cars also showed outstanding performance in the Le Man races. In the early thirties a young Enzo Ferrari was racing, and later tea manager, for Alfa Romeo. When Alfa Romeo decided to put an end to racing activities in 1938, Enzo Ferrari started his own racing car business in 1940!

1930-1940:

Alfa factories are modernised, mass production starts. Sporting activities are affected by the politics – Italian drivers are banned from racing in France.

1940-1950:

Alfa Romeo becomes a success symbol, and starts to gain celebrity drivers!The “Alfetta” racing car wins the World championship in 1950 and 1951. Manuel Fangio says, “The Alfetta is the best racing car I have ever driven.”

1950-1960:

New Alfa sports cars are highly sought after, starting off “Alfamania”.

1960-1970:

The Giulia 1600 Sprint is designed, and the Alfa 6C 1750 is redesigned. The “Duetto” appears in “The Graduate” with Dustin Hoffman.

1970-1980:

The Ialian and Swiss police forces chose the Alfa Romeo for emergency vehicles.

In 1978 the “Giulietta” features in “Vaggio con Anita” with Goldie Hawn. “Giulia” police cars are used in other movies including the Italian Job!

1980-1990:

A revolution in turbo engines, and the advent of aeronautical technology used in car design.

The “Alfa 33″ replaces the “Alfasud”, but retains the Alfasud’s mechanical framework. The car’s style, however, is completely redesigned. In a “split two-box” style.

1990-2000:

The Alfa 155 is the first medium saloon with front-wheel drive. In 1998 the “Alfa 156″ is voted Car of the Year.

2000 to now:

In 2001 the “Alfa 147″ is awarded European Car of the Year, whilst in 2004 the “Alfa GT” is voted the “Most Beautiful Coupe in the World”! In 2006 Alfa won a host of awards including “European Automotive Design Award” and Autocar’s “Best Design Award” for the “Alfa Brera”. The “Alfa Spider” also won awards including “Cabrio of the Year” at the Geneva Motor Show.

The “Alfa 159″ was awarded a five-star rating from Euro NCAP, which puts it ahead of the field for safety.

Please click here to see if we have any used Alfa Romeo cars here in Spain!

Alfa Romeo TV -- (75 videos!)

This article was written on Wednesday, April 14th, 2010
It's filed under: "Car guides"

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