Alfa Romeo
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Alfa Romeo
The below quote summarizes the impact and the profound work that this Italian automaker has given to the world. Creating history for over 100 years, Alfa Romeo started their humble beginnings as a French company in Italy (that’s a weird combination), and worked on cementing their legacy by building a storied racing heritage, supporting it with countless wins, discovering a young racer named Enzo Ferrari, and being known as a ‘petrolhead’ marque.
When I See I See An Alfa Romeo Pass By , I Lift My Hat.
Henry Ford
Alfa Romeo has accomplished many wins such as “The World's Best Motor Race”, the Mille Miglia in 1928, Le Mans, various Grand Prix, World Sportscar Championship, German Touring Car Championship, just to name a few.
That quote also exemplifies the craftsmanship that went to every single Alfa Romeo, painstakingly creating works of art like the P2 in 1924, the original Giulia in 1962, or the GTA in 1965.
Being flamboyant as any Italian can be, the company poured their heart and soul in every creation, focusing on aesthetics and making sure that their everyday, practical models (the 155, 156, the Bretta) were jaw-dropping to make their ancestors proud.
Alfa Romeos are known for their quirks and questionable reliability, but we don’t care. They’re graceful, elegant, and oh so undeniably pretty. Alongside their beauty, we embrace these cars because it’s the closest car that gives us an almost-human connection.
Everyone has their faults, but we’ll make it work.
The Basics
Founded: 1910
Founders: Alexandre Darracq, Ugo Stella, Nicola Romeo
Headquarters: Turin, Italy
Website: Global, USA, Canada
Corporate Ownership: Fiat Group
The Alfa Romeo Logo Mean
Giuseppe Merosi designed Alfa Romeo's official emblem. Apart from some minor tweaks with the wording, gold trim, and wreath appearance over the years, the design has remained fairly consistent. The left side of the emblem is a red cross over a white background– a medieval Christian symbol.
Alfa Romeo Models
A list of all the current and historical Alfa Romeo models
We take a look at the Alfa Romeo model list and take a deep dive into the models that make this marquee so special. We have primarily focused our in depth guides on the classic, iconic Alfa Romeo models. This is only a handful of the Alfa Romeo models over the years, so please checkout our full Alfa Romeo model list here.
Every Alfa Romeo Car Made
In-depth guide to every Alfa Romeo model worth knowing about
Alfa Romeo News, Rumors & Updates
The latest and greatest in the world of Alfa Romeo
Alfa Romeo Prices, Rumors, Reviews, News & More
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Alfa Romeo History
Half Renewal
Founded in 1910, Ugo Stella bought a floundering French car factory in 1909 and rebranded as “Anonima Lombarda Fabbrica Automobili” or A.L.F.A. Translated in Italian as “Lombard Automobile Factory Company”, it started a new beginning for this Italian automaker situated in Milan, which is in Northern Lombardy region of Italy.
From there, the company immediately built vehicles with the intent to conquer speed. More powerful engines were introduced in the early 1900’s, producing 40 – 60 hp and A.L.F.A. ventured naturally into motor racing. That venture went to a halt thanks to World War I, which caused the company to focus on manufacturing different products and planting the seeds of the other half of the brand that we all know today.
This takeover also gave birth to one of the most bizarre logos in the automotive world. Created in 1910, after the official rebranding of the company, the A.L.F.A crest debuts and everyone remembers the right-half of the crest, where a snake is eating a man. The meaning is actually quite interesting as given by Automobilismo Storico Alfa Romeo.
On the left: the red cross on white field is the symbol of Milan, the hometown of Alfa Romeo.
On the right: the symbol of one of the most important families in the history of Milan (and Italy), the Visconti family – the family that ruled Milan.
There are a lot of legends about the origins of this heraldic symbol, representing a mythological animal with a human in his mouth (some believe it to be a dragon, but most likely a snake). During the time of the crusades, Otone Visconti, the founder of Visconti Family and a knight, fought against a noble Saracen knight (nomad from the Syrian Desert that bordered the Roman Empire). Otone beat the Saracen knight and, following the tradition, took the symbols the Saracen carried on his shield: a snake with a human in his mouth. At first glance, it looks like the snake is eating the human. Instead, the human is coming out of the snake a “new man,” purified and renewed.
The meaning: The snake is a circular animal (a snake can assume a circular position) and is an animal of the changing – able to change his skin regularly and totally renew or rebirth himself. The meaning is definitely describing Alfa Romeo to a tee.
Half Patriotism
In 1915, A.L.F.A. is being managed by Nicola Romeo, which focused on helping the Italian war efforts in World War I. The car engines being developed were now refocused for compressors, generators, plane engines, and any propelling device that was required for war efforts. This initiative made a big impact to the company as A.L.F.A. grew beyond manufacturing, adding locomotive and railway manufacturing to the portfolio.
Continue reading the Complete History Of Alfa Romeo
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