Alfa Romero

Alfa Romeo, initially called ALFA (Anonima Lombarda Fabbrica Automobili), is a company that represents the Italian's passion for creating the best cars. The company was started in 1907 by Cavaliere Ugo Stella, a Milanese aristocrat, in collaboration with the French automotive firm, Alexandre Darracq, producing only Darracq cars. After the partnership fell through, Giuseppe Merosi was hired by Stella to design the first ALFA cars, with engine capacities growing from 25 horsepower (HP) to 60 HP, the cars being used for motor racing in 1911. In 1916, during World War I, car manufacture stopped, and Neapolitan Nicola Romeo took control of the company, producing military accessories such as aircraft engines, compressors, generators, and munitions for the Italian army and the Allies. In 1920, after car production was resumed, the company was rechristened Alfa Romeo, the Torpedo 20-30 being the first car to roll out under the new banner. In 1923, Fiat employee, Vittorio Jano replaced Merosi as Chief Designer and in 1925, Jano's P2 Grand Prix car enabled Alfa Romeo to win the world championship. Jano revolutionized car engines having 4, 6, or 8 cylinder variants, with light alloy bodies, dual overhead cams, centrally-positioned plugs, and hemispherical combustion chambers. The company workshop was flattened during World War II, and thereafter began gradually regaining its foothold in the industry. Fiat took control in 1986, forming the Alfa Lancia Spa, producing Alfas and Lancias. In the 1960s, Alfa Romeo began manufacturing small cars for the Italian police, alongside its successful racing models and engines. Alfa Romeo cars entered the movie arena too, with the Spider making an appearance in Dustin Hoffman's 'The Graduate'. In the James Bond flick, 'Octopussy', Roger Moore, rode the Alfa Romeo GTV 6. The Alfa Romeo has become a status symbol with many owners clubs being created, a single owner being called an 'Alfista', and a group of owners being termed 'Alfisti'.