As one of the most historic manufacturers in the world, Alfa Romeo have managed to create exceptional works of automotive art and some of the finest examples of roadsters and sports cars we've ever seen.
They may have a reputation for being among some of the more unreliable cars on the market, yet the passion and dedication to creating these cars hasn't gone unnoticed, making them one of the most beloved manufacturers worldwide. Here are some awesome facts about Alfa Romeo and it's cars.
10 French Beginnings
Despite its current status as one of the leading Italian sports car manufacturers, the Alfa we know today didn't quite start out the way you may have expected.
In 1906, a French automobile manufacturer named Darracq built a factory in Milan and after some trouble relating to economics a few years later, the business changed hands and on the 24th June 1910, the company became the Alfa Romeo brand we hold so fondly to this day.
9 Logo Meaning
The Alfa Romeo badge is one of the most artistic of any manufacturer on the planet, and this also holds some special meaning.
The logo itself represents different aspects of Italy, to begin with, the left side red cross and white background pays homage to the Milanese coat of arms, the home of Alfa, and the man-eating snake on the right-hand side showcases the Visconti family crest, the former rulers of the city of Milan. Alfa Romeo's badge has changed over a number of years, up until 2015 where we see the current one, given after the companies 105th birthday.
8 Race History
Alfa Romeo's race history is storied to say the least, and still continues now. Alfas of the past were said to be lighter, more durable, and better handling than rival cars, allowing them to win multiple races for decades such as the Mille Miglia, Le Mans, and the Vanderbilt Cup among others.
In 1923, Alfa took first place in the Targa Florio as one of their most famous victories and as of today, they currently compete in the Formula One world championship.
7 The Quadrifoglio
As one of the most interesting and exciting parts of Alfa History, the Quadrifoglio holds very special meaning.
In the aforementioned Targa Florio competition, driver Ugo Sivocci finally won after a number of second place finishes, he held part of his success down to the white square and four-leaf clover he had painted on the side of his car, in order to bring some good luck. To mark this today, the very best Alfa Romeo cars are given the nameplate Quadriofoglio, to flex some of Alfa's racing history and to mark the legend of Sivocci.
6 Ferrari Links
We may see Alfa Romeo as their very own brand today, but part of their success comes from a sports car rival.
Ferrari may be the most famous brand in all of Italy, and possibly even the world, and in Alfa's racing past, Enzo Ferrari himself managed the Alfa Romeo racing team for around a decade. This even went as far as some race cars being adorned with the acclaimed prancing-pony logo, something we would unlikely see today.
5 Government Intervention
Alfa has been owned by multiple different groups over the years, and this even stretched to the government.
After their initial set up in 1906, Alfa was taken over by an Italian aristocrat, and some decades later in 1933, they were essentially acquired by the Italian government. This stayed true all the way up until 1986, meaning the government had control for over 50 years, when in 1986, they were purchased by fellow Italian manufacturer Fiat.
4 America No More
The worldwide success of Alfa Romeo needs no explanation, but for a few years, their cars wouldn't be sent to particular countries.
In 1995, Alfa Romeo cars were no longer being exported to the United States, minus a few specific models like the 8C Competizione in 2007. After this long export pause, Alfa cars were once again being sent to America after 20 long years, with the much loved Alfa Romeo 4C being the first car to make its way to the states in 2015.
3 The First Car
Delving back into the past, it's worth looking back to see the very first car the company ever made. Naturally, given the company's roots, the first Alfa Romeo was actually technically French, this was named the Alfa Romeo 24H.
It produced 25 hp, despite its 24H name, and had an engine capacity of 4.1 liters. This may be fairly unremarkable by today's standards, but in the early 1900s, it was considered very well engineered and managed a speed of 62 mph despite its wooden spoke wheels.
2 Most Loved Cars
As interesting as revisiting the very first Alfa is, it's also just as exciting remembering some of the great cars the company has created in its 100 plus year history.
The classic 60s Alfa Romeo Spider is one of the greatest we've ever seen from the brand, the 3rd generation model was the most popular, with the final version made in 1993. It also remained the last rear-wheel drive Alfa until the 8C in 2007. Some of the most loved modern Alfas are the aforementioned 8C and the recent Giulia Quadrifoglio, a modern rival to the BMW and Mercedes sports sedans, and one of the best looking in its category, surely a future classic.
1 Alfa Heritage
Alfa Romeo has come a long way since it's inception in 1906, and in recent years, their form is beginning to rise once again.
Recent models like the Giulia Quadrifoglio, 4C, and 8C have shown us that Alfa's racing pedigree still lives on and despite some faults in a number of earlier cars, and their tendency to breakdown, the Alfa brand showcases some of the most passionate examples of automotive engineering of all time. Famously, the ex Top Gear and current Grand Tour trio have claimed that you can never be a true car fan until you've owned at least one Alfa Romeo, which is one of the biggest seals of approval any car brand could hope for.
Sources Used: Auto Guide, Alfa Romeo Vienna, Total Loss Gap