Alfa Romeo

About this book

Focusing on Alfa Romeo's revival after the Second World War, A Legend Revived gives a review of the foundation of Anonima Lombarda Fabbrica Automobile, its takeover by Nicola Romeo to become Alfa Romeo, and its rise to international fame as one of the foremost motor-sporting marques in Europe. The story continues: how the famous Alfettas were retrieved from the cheese factory in Melzo, and then took the Grand Prix world by storm, ultimately winning the first two World Grand Prix Championships in 1950 and 1951. We follow the much longer path to success, from Fangio's near win in the 1953 Mille Miglia to the string of triumphs which brought two World Sports Car Constructors' Championships to Alfa Romeo in 1975 and 1977. The return to Grand Prix racing, first with Brabham and then the works team, is portrayed; the story goes up to Alfa Romeo's eventual withdrawal from racing in 1986. The wide range of production cars is fully described — from the early post-war 'Freccia d'Oro' to the exciting new 164, Alfa Romeo's first car under Fiat's parentage — with detailed appendices giving comprehensive specification and historical data. The book includes hundreds of rare and unpublished photographs. Other less widely known activities in which Alfa Romeo engaged are described: they include aero engines, aeroplanes, marine engines, trucks, buses, agricultural tractors, road rollers and even railway locomotives — not to mention the Alfa Romeo cooking stove's and aluminium windows.