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The first car to bear the A.L.F.A. name on its radiator, the 24 HP, was designed even before the “Società Anonima Lombarda Fabbrica Automobili” was founded on 24 June 1910.
The 24 HP was powered by a 4.1-litre, 4-cylinder engine and would be produced at the Portello factory in Milan. |
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The 24 HP was destined for competition and a stripped-out race-prepared "Corsa" version of this car made its debut during the 6th edition of the Targa Florio in 1911 where it was in the hands of drivers Nino Franchini and Ugo Ronzoni but retired on the third and final lap of the famous road course. |
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To celebrate the brand’s 108th anniversary the Museo Storico di Arese will today host the Alfa Romeo Sauber F1 Team’s C37 showcar at the "La Macchina del Tempo" to represent the link between the brand's past, present and future. |
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Today Alfa Romeo turns 108 years old and as well as the 108 pieces of the Giulia and Stelvio “NRING” special editions now being produced to mark the occasion the title sponsored Sauber C37 F1 showcar is being hosted at the official museum for a special event.
The first car to bear the A.L.F.A. name on its radiator, the 24 HP, was designed even before the “Società Anonima Lombarda Fabbrica Automobili” was founded on 24 June 1910.
The 24 HP was powered by a 4.1-litre, 4-cylinder engine fittted to a 4-speed gearbox and would be produced at the Portello factory in Milan until 1914 when it evolved into an upgraded version that was dubbed the 20-30 HP with production continuing until 1922.
It proved a successful first model for A.L.F.A. and eventually nearly seven hundred examples of the 24 HP and its evolutions were built.
Almost immediately after entering production the 24 HP was destined for competition and a stripped-out race-prepared "Corsa" version of this car, with uprated power, special bodywork and additional fuel tanks, made its debut during the 6th edition of the Targa Florio in 1911 where it was in the hands of drivers Nino Franchini and Ugo Ronzoni but retired on the third and final lap of the famous road course.
Alfa Romeo's 108 years of history are characterised by a DNA made of racing and competition, which is reflected in the special limited-edition colours of the Nürburgring Edition Giulia Quadrifoglio "NRING" and Stelvio Quadrifoglio "NRING" which have just gone on sale, albeit to chosen customers.
These two models are being produced to a run of 108 units to mark Alfa Romeo's 108 years and as well as higher equipment levels and specific "NRING" branding and individual numbering they also feature a “Welcome Kit” that includes racing gloves, shoes and jacket.
They feature the 510 hp, 2.9 V6 Bi-Turbo engine which is the most powerful unit in the model range today and is also capable of excelling on the track as the Stelvio Quadrifoglio is the fastest recorded SUV on the Nürburgring circuit. The Stelvio was able to use its 600 Nm of torque, acceleration time from 0 to 100 km/h of 3.8 seconds and its top speed of 283 km/h to cover the 20.832 km of the Nordschleife in 7 minutes, 51.7 seconds.
Not only just at the Nürburgring but this season has also marked Alfa Romeo's return to Formula 1 as the title sponsor of the Sauber team and to celebrate the brand’s anniversary the Museo Storico di Arese will today host the Alfa Romeo Sauber F1 Team’s C37 showcar at the "La Macchina del Tempo" to represent the link between the brand's past, present and future.
In Arese, in fact, the "Alfetta" 158 with which Nino Farina won the first Formula 1 Championship in 1960, and the 159 in which Juan Manuel Fangio repeated the feat the following year, are permanently exhibited.
Just for today, the museum will transform into a “grandstand” from which fans can watch the French Grand Prix at Paul Ricard in collaboration with Sky Sports. To recreate the atmosphere, not only will there be the C37 showcar but also the original overalls worn by the drivers of the Alfa Romeo Sauber F1 Team, Charles Leclerc and Marcus Ericsson, as worn in the first races of the 2018 F1 Championship and autographed by the drivers.
The event is scheduled for 16:10 (local time, CET) in “Sala Giulia”, the hall in which the new D-segment Giulia sedan was presented for the first time worldwide, exactly three years ago, on 24 June 2015 - for live coverage of the race from Le Castellet.
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