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Alfa Romeo Cars

Continuing the legend of racing, high performance, and durability, for which it has been known, Alfa Romeo will turn one-hundred years old in less than a year. And although it has endured an extremely rocky history, the car manufacturer still produces highly sought after vehicles. So popular are the vehicles, owners of the cars are members of fan clubs that offer special events and rallies to share each other's zest for this iconic name.

In addition to the numerous clubs around the world, a museum exists in Arese, Milan, Italy. Opened in 1976, the Alfa Romeo History Museum is home to more than one-hundred cars, engines, chassis frames, propellers, drivers' trophies, pictures and posters. Indeed, the museum's contents are a testament to the exciting nature and popularity of the Alfa Romeo car.

Created in June 1910, as a result of the purchase of French company Darracq, the new company called A.L.F.A. (Anonima Lombarda Fabbrica Automobili), owned by Ugo Stella, set up shop in Milan, Italy. Immediately, the first automobile was released and an incredible three-hundred 24 HPs were built. Not wasting any time, the car was entered into the 1911 Targa Florio race. But as time passed, new regulations in racing promoted the development of a newer model, the Alfa Grand Prix, which housed the first Twin Spark engine.

Like so many other companies who turned to the war effort, Alfa stopped producing cars in 1915 and began production on military equipment instead. It was at this time that the company found itself part of a group controlled by Nicola Romeo. And once the war was over, an interest in cars resumed for companies and the general public alike. Subsequently, in 1918 car racing became ever popular again and Romeo changed the name of the company and looked for a new logo or emblem design.

Now called Alfa Romeo, the new emblem makes an appearance on the Torpedo 20-30 HP in 1920. The same year, the 40-60 HP wins the Mugello circuit and from here on out, Alfa Romeo is known for its racing prowess.



Other Important Dates and Milestones for Alfa Romeo:

• 1920 Enzo Ferrari joins Alfa Romeo winning second place at the Targa Florio.
• 1922 saw another first for Alfa Romeo, as its newest model, the RL, used a six-in-line-cylinder engine. The sport car version produced more power than previous engines allowing the car to travel up to speeds of one-hundred and ten miles per hour. Needless to say, everyone wanted this high performance vehicle as witnessed by the close to three-thousand (2,640) orders.
• 1923 continues as an excellent year for racing wins and a new insignia is introduced. It was a green Quadrifoglio (looks like a shamrock or clover) sitting on a white triangle.
• 1924 Alfa Romeo cars continually break speed records winning many races.
• 1925 The P2 driven by Gastone Brilli Peri wins the prestigious and highly coveted World Championship Title. The emblem changes again as the laurel crown is added to signify this great win.
• 1929 Ferrari racing team is ready.
• 1933 Alfa Romeo is taken over by IRI, (the Institute for Industrial Construction) and they change the Quadrifoglio to a “rampant horse”.
• 1946 The emblem changes again and the Savoy knot is replaced with two wavy lines.
• 1963 A new department is created called Autodelta Racing Division
• 1966 sees the launch of the Duetto which set longevity records as having been built consistently for twenty-six years. Part of its legend status came from its use in the movie “The Graduate” starring Dustin Hoffman.
• 1979 First Italian car to be diesel powered
• 1982 Portello racing team is ready
• 1987 Company merges with Fiat-Lancia Group
• 1998 Alfa 156 recognized as Car of the Year

Model Names and Years Created:

• 1910 24 HP
• 1911 15 HP Corsa
• 1914 Alfa Grand Prix
• 1920 Torpedo 20-30 HP
• 1920 40-60 HP
• 1922 56 HP standard RL
• 1922 83 HP Super Sport RL
• 1924 P2
• 1925 NR
• 1927 6C 1500
• 1929 6C 1750
• 1929 6C 1900
• 1931 8C 2300
• 1931 Spyder
• 1931 GP two-seater
• 1932 P3
• 1934 6C 2300
• 1934 6C 2300 Turismo
• 1934 6C 2300 Gran Turismo
• 1934 6C 2300 Pescara
• 1935 Twin Engine
• 1946 158 Alfetta
• 1947 6C 2500 Sport Golden Arrow
• 1949 6C 2500 SS Touring version
• 1949 158 Trossi
• 1949 158 Varzi
• 1950 1900 Sedan
• 1951 159
• 1952 Flying Saucer
• 1954 Giulietta Sprint Sedan
• 1954 Giulietta Sprint TI
• 1954 Giulietta Sprint Spider
• 1954 Giulietta Sprint Veloce
• 1954 Giulietta Sprint Spider Veloce
• 1954 Sprint Special
• 1954 Zagato Sprint
• 1962 Giulia TI
• 1962 Giulia TZ
• 1962 Giulia GTA (Gran Turismo Alleggerita)
• 1966 Spider 1600 Duetto
• 1970 Montreal
• 1971 Alfasud
• 1972 Alfetta
• 1979 Alfetta 2000 TD
• 1979 Alfa 6
• 1983 Alfa 33
• 1985 Alfa 75
• 1987 Alfa 164
• 1992 Alfa 155
• 1994 145
• 1997 Alfa 156
• 1999 156 Sportwagon
• 2000 Alfa 147
• 2009 MITO series