Home Part 2: The Last 100 years 8: Car Manufacturers by Country 8.10 Italy 8.10.1. Alfa Romeo History of Alfa Romeo Motor Cars / Automobiles 8.10.1. Alfa Romeo The company started out in 1906 in partnership with Alexandre Darracq’s French car firm and produced Darracq cars. By 1910 the parnership had ceased and the company was renamed ALFA (Anonima Lombarda Fabbrica Automobili). The first cars were the 24 HP (1910-20), 12 HP (1910-11), 15 HP (1911-20) and the 40-60 HP (1913-20). At the end of World War 1 in 1918 Nicola Romeo was in full control of ALFA. In 1920 the company was renamed “Alfa Romeo”. The first car to carry the name was the Torpedo 20-30 HP. During the 1930s the company built expensive luxury cars and very successful racing cars, including the 8C 2900 Mille Miglia. Production of the 2,443 cc 6C2500 model was  started in 1939, with only just over 1,500 made up to 1952. Between 1950 and 1990 the company produced about 28 different models, including the 1,570 cc Giulia from 1962 to 1978 and the top selling front-wheel drive Alfasud, with more than 1 million  made between 1972 and 1987. Models produced since the late 1990s include the 147, 159 166, Brera and Spider.   [ Back ]