Alfa Romeo is 110 years old: five notable cars in competition

Alfa Romeo 158

It was kindly nicknamed "Alfetta", for its limited dimensions compared to other single-seaters. However, from a contemporary perspective, the 158 is not at all small in size with 4,3 meters in length and a wheelbase of 2,5 m!

Although it appeared on the circuits in 1938, it is the version dating from 1950 that interests us, the one used by "The three Fs" (Juan Manuel Fangio, Giuseppe Farina, Luigi Fagioli) on the occasion of the first World Championship of Formula 1. Equipped with a 8 horsepower 350-cylinder in-line engine, the 158 allowed Giuseppe Farina to sail towards the coronation in 1950 after the Italian firm won all six rounds with the exception of Indianapolis. 

Alfa Romeo 159

The following year, the car will be improved by the transalpine engineers to reach 420 horsepower at 9 rpm. The fuel tanks are getting bigger but the competitors are forced to go to the pump two to three times during a single Grand Prix; a disadvantage compared to rivals with more reasonable engines.

With an excellent weight/power ratio for the time (1,67 kg/hp!), the 159 proved unbeatable on a hot lap. Proof of this is that the Alfetta took pole position during the seven events in 1951! This time, it is Juan Manuel Fangio who will end up champion. 

Alfa Romeo 8C 2300

There's more to life than F1. In the interwar period, one model would forge the Alfa Romeo myth: the 8C. Its racing derivative, the 2300, allowed the Milanese firm to become known to the general public across Europe, thanks in particular to theEndurance.

Its 8-liter 8-cylinder in-line engine (2.3C) and its lightweight chassis (barely one ton) allow it to reach 200 km/h in Sarthe. It is in fact at the 24 Hours of Le Mans that it expresses itself best, with four consecutive successes between 1931 and 1934!

Twice, she improved the lap record, in 1932 and 1933. Behind the wheel, the French Raymond Sommer and Philippe Étancelin victoriously coexisted with the Italians Luigi Chinetti and Tazio Nuvolari, even if the laurels of 1931 went to the British duo. Francis Curzon-Henry Birkin. 

Alfa Romeo Type 33

The Timo 33 can certainly claim a rare prize in competition, longevity. Developed in the early 1960s, its racing debut dates back to March 12, 1967 in the Belgian hill climb of Fléron, paving the way for a career of… 10 years! H. Marko and © DPPI

Between 1967 and 1977, the 33 evolved significantly. The first version has a 8 horsepower naturally aspirated V230 engine and its design is similar to a small boat. A decade later, she will mess around with a twin-turbo flat-12 unit with 640 horsepower and 720 kg!

Among the notable victories of this chassis, we will remember the title in the 1977 World Sports Car Championship with the Italians Arturo Merzario, Vittorio Brambilla and the Frenchman Jean-Pierre Jarier. Two years earlier, the Tricolores Jacques Laffite and Henri Pescarolo had helped for the world title.

In Italy, the Targa Florio was a field of choice with two successes on the small Sicilian roads in 1971 (Vaccarella-T. Hezemans) and 1975 (Vaccarella-Merzario). 

Alfa Romeo 155 V6 TI

Without doubt the most melodious of this quintet. Developed for the German Touring Championship (DTM), the wise 155 sedan transforms into a raptor. Its 6 liter V2.5 engine reaches 420 horsepower and revs up to 11 rpm! 

The carbon fiber bodywork allows the 155 to barely exceed a ton (1 kg) while the all-wheel drive (ATW) sticks it permanently to the track. Add to that two very beautiful liveries (the red Alfa Corse and the Martini) and you get a beauty.

The results are as exciting as the data sheet. The Italian Nicola Larini won 11 victories and the title, under the noses of the Germans (Mercedes and Opel). The Alfa Romeo will fall into line in the following years as Mercedes focuses on greater regularity.