Alfa Romeo

Italian car manufacturer A.L.F.A (Anonima Lombarda Fabbrica Automobili) was formed in Milan in June 1910, and launched its first car, the 24 HP that year, 

ALFA has been involved in car racing since 1911. In 1914, an advanced Grand Prix car was designed and built, the GP1914, with a four-cylinder engine, double overhead camshafts, four valves per cylinder, and twin ignition.

In 1920, the name was changed to Alfa Romeo, a combination of the original name and the last name of entrepreneur Nicola Romeo, who took control of the company in 1915. The Torpedo 20-30 HP was the first car to be produced.

In the 1920s and 30s AlfA Romeo scored wins at many races and motoring events such as Targa Florio, Mille Miglia and Le Mans, winning the inaugural world championship for Grand Prix cars in 1925.

Alfa Romeo struggled after World War II, and turned to mass-producing small vehicles rather than hand-building luxury models. In 1954 it developed the Alfa Romeo Twin Cam engine, which would remain in production until 1994.

In the 1960s Alfa Romeo became famous for its small cars and models specifically designed for the Italian police and Carabinieri; among them the “Giulia Super” and the 2600 Sprint GT

During the 1960s and 1970s Alfa Romeo produced a number of sporty cars, Giulia Sprint, Giulietta and of course the Spider, Dustin Hoffman’s car in “The Graduate” 

Alfa Romeo was imported into the US from 1961 to1995.

The Alfa Romeo racing team has competed successfully in many different categories of motorsport (Grand Prix, Formula One, Sportscar Touring and Rallies) and holds the world’s title of the most wins of any marque in the world.

Alfa Romeo’s logo incorporates two heraldic devices traditionally associated with its birthplace, the city of Milan.  A red cross (from the emblem of Milan), and the green biscione, a crowned viper swallowing a Moor (emblem of the House of Visconti, rulers of the city in the 14th century). The original badge was modified many times with the latest modification in 2015.

Since 1923, the quadrifoglio logo (also called the ‘cloverleaf’) has been the symbol of Alfa Romeo racing cars and since WWII, it has also been used to designate the higher trim models of the range. The logo, as a lucky charm, is usually placed on the side panels of the car, above or behind the front wheels or on the front wings in the case of modern vehicles. The logo consists of a green cloverleaf  (quadrifoglio verde) with four leaves, contained within a white triangle. This logo also has seen many modifications including a gold version,(quadrifoglio oro).

Under state ownership until 1986 Alfa Romeo is now part of the Fiat Group. 

 “When I see an Alfa Romeo go by, I tip my hat.” Henry Ford – 1939

Since 2015 Alfa is now back in the US with current models Stelvio, Giulia, 4C Spider and the race inspired Quadrifoglio series.