STORIE ALFA ROMEO

On the occasion of our 110th anniversary, we have created Storie Alfa Romeo: a web series that will introduce you to our heritage through the stories of our 11 most iconic vehicles. Let’s start from the beginning and go back to the 1910s: the quintessential Alfa 24HP.

Her majesty Alfa Romeo 6C 1750, a real queen of motor sport. Throughout her long life, the Alfa Romeo 6C 1750 became both a legend of racing and an icon of luxury, thanks to great coachbuilders like Zagato and Pininfarina.

Rediscover a triumph of elegance: the Alfa Romeo 6C 2500 Super Sport "Villa d’Este», the existing proof that our Brand is not just about speed, but about beauty and elegance too. This model was in fact awarded the coveted Referendum Grand Prix at the 1949 Villa d’Este Concours d’Elegance. Produced by Carrozzeria Touring in only 36 pieces, this model represents a true milestone in our history.

What does it mean to be a champion? If it means winning everything, it’s time we presented the Alfetta 158, the undefeated champion that survived World War II and made the history of Formula 1.

The legendary Alfa Romeo Giulia was a revolution in car-making, a model ahead of its time in terms of design and performance. Due to its speed, power and agility, Giulia gets chosen by the Carabinieri and Polizia units, becoming a symbol of the bond between Alfa Romeo and Italy. The Head of Design was Orazio Satta Puliga: the father of many other iconic Alfa Romeo models.

The unforgettable Alfa Romeo 1600 Spider literally conquered Hollywood, becoming a real movie star. Its beauty won the hearts of everyone, including Hollywood directors, who casted the car in hundreds of pictures both on the big and the little screen. Its designer, Franco Martinengo, was part of the legendary Pininfarina’s team.

The Alfa Romeo 33 Stradale, Carabo, and Montreal became three milestones in the history of car design. The Alfa Romeo 33 Stradale was designed by Franco Scaglione and premiered at the 1967 Italian Grand Prix in Monza. Only 12 pieces were produced, but its success was huge and it became one of the most expensive sportscars at the time. The Alfa Romeo Carabo is a one-off model designed by Marcello Gandini on the same mechanics as the 33 Stradale. Its sharp and futuristic lines are unique and make the car look like a spaceship. In 1967 Alfa Romeo created the Montreal on the occasion of the Canadian Expo: its goal was to represent “the highest aspiration of modern men in terms of cars”. Once again, the designer was Marcello Gandini. 

Combining stylistic choices and new technical solutions, Centro Stile gives life to a true masterpiece: the Alfa Romeo 156. Its design is functional, as is its mechanics, creating what we call today “The Necessary Beauty”. The 156 is the first car to introduce the Common Rail system, leaving the press speechless at its debut in Lisbon. The sports version of the 156 ended up winning 13 titles in just 10 years of racing in the Touring Car Championship.

The Alfa Romeo 8C Competizione has simply become a modern classic. While the automotive industry is rapidly changing, Alfa Romeo’s mission is clear: to bring along its timeless allure in the future. The Centro Stile, led by Wolfgang Egger, creates yet another masterpiece: the Alfa Romeo 8C Competizione. The car pays homage to the Brand’s history. “8C”, just like the 8-cylinder cars created by Jano in the 30s, and “Competizione”, as the name of the 6C 2500 that Fangio drove in the 50s. The car mounts an impressive V8 450 HP engine, able to reach 0-100 km/h in just 4.2 seconds. The car became an instant classic: only 500 units were made and they were all sold immediately.

With the aim of starting a new chapter of its history, Alfa Romeo created Giulia and Stelvio. One is an awe-inspiring sedan, the other is the first Alfa Romeo SUV. The Quadrifoglio versions of these two cars broke the Nürburgring’s track record, heading straight to the top of their respective categories. Their V6 2.9 510HP engine is paired with a CDC (Chassis Domain Control) and many other technological breakthroughs designed to combine power with control. Over the last years, Giulia and Stelvio have become the most frequently awarded Alfa Romeo cars ever, with 170 international titles given by specialised newspapers and generalist media, voted by juries of experts or directly by customers.