13 Facts About Alfa Romeo That Any Automobile Lover Should Know

Alfa Romeo is one of the world’s best car manufacturers. Though it has a very rich history on the racing circuit, Alfa Romeo is also one of the premium luxury vehicles in Europe as well as other parts of the developed world. The popularity of the Italian car maker can be gauged from the legend that American industrialist Henry Ford used to doff his hat whenever he saw an Alfa Romeo out of respect. Whether or not he actually did that, Alfa Romeo is indeed worthy of doffing our hats to.

Here are some interesting facts about Alfa Romeo any automobile lover should know:

1. Founded by a French businessman Alexandre Darracq

The foundation of Alfa Romeo was laid by French businessman Alexandre Darracq on 24 June 1910, in Milan. But the company was then called A.L.F.A., an abbreviation for Anonima Lombarda Fabbrica Automobili or Lombard Automobile Factory Company.

2. When Romeo was added

The word Romeo got added after Nicola Romeo, a businessman from Naples, acquired the company during the crisis days of World War I and saved it from extinction. He established the production of aircraft engines and other military-oriented products. At the end of the war, Alfa Romeo started making cars once again.

3. Details of logo

The logo, which is still in use, was created in 1909. What we see in the logo is basically the heraldic symbol of the city of Milan. It shows the banner of the emblem of Milan – the Red cross – and a Green snake devouring a man symbolising the defeat of the Moors at the hands of House of Visconti of Milan.

4. The racing car

Alfa Romeo almost immediately began with motor racing after it was founded. Motor racing for Alfa Romeo dates back to around 1911. Since then, Alfa Romeo has won numerous races including the prestigious Formula One Grand Prix races, Indy Racing series, Touring circuit car racing and rallying.

The racing team won also the prestigious 24-Hour Race seven times in a row between 1970 and 1976.

5. Ferrari was originally a part of Alfa Romeo and was created in 1929 as Scuderia Ferrari to participate in races.

6. During World War II, Italian dictator Benito Mussolini helped maintain the Alfa Romeo’s stature as a car manufacturer and turned it into a luxury car maker.

One of the top cars of this period was Alfa Romeo 8C.

7. Alfa Romeo created the 6С 2500 in 1939 – its first major car after World War II.

8. In 1950, Alfa Romeo won the first Formula One world championship. The car, a Tipo 158 Alfetta, was driven by Giuseppe Farina.

Alfa Romeo won the championship again in 1951.

9. The Italian auto giant started producing a series of luxury cars in the 1960s.

So popular was Alfa Romeo 2600 series that even the Pope owned one.

10. Expansion around the globe

The company expanded around the world – especially Mexico, Brazil, South Africa and Spain.  The Alfa Romeo Giulietta was assembled in some of these countries.

John Fitzgerald Kennedy, the 35th President of the United States, used to own an Alfa Romeo Giulietta Spider.

11. The car is also the standard vehicle of the Italian Police and special police forces such as Carabinieri, who drive Alfa Romeo 159.

12. Fiat, the major Italian car giant, acquired Alfa Romeo in 1986. At that time, the car maker was going through a bad phase.

Alfa Romeo shot back into the big league with Fiat’s financial support by the end of the 1990s. Today the car is ubiquitous and though it is a luxury brand of car, its spares are available easily on sparepartstore24.co.uk.

13. F1 racers Michael Schumacher and Kimi Räikkönen drive Alfa Romeo cars in everyday life.

Schumacher owns an Alfa 159 and Sportwagon GTA. Räikkönen drives a sports coupe Alfa Romeo Brera, which many consider as “the most beautiful car in the world”.