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.