The era of the Giulietta
Passion
The Giulietta. An product emblematic of the concept of ‘Made in Italy’. The name is suggested by a poet, Leonardo Sinisgalli, and thanks to its Shakespearian allusion, the car immediately strikes a chord all over the world
The Giulietta racing car. The style of the Giulietta SS was developed as a result of aerodynamic studies conducted on the Milan/Turin motorway. The car is half-covered with woolen threads and then photographed and filmed from another car driving alongside. The air currents created around certain areas bodywork areas are revealed by the behavior of the woolen threads, showing where changes could be made to the bodywork.
Alfa Romeo – favorites with the ladies
1955 Cinema rally. Gina Lollobrigida in the 1900 TI. 1955 Miss Abruzzo and Molise competition. One competitor in an Alfa Romeo 1900. Normally used on “mundane” occasions, the 1900 proves that it is also “adventurous”: two women reach the Arctic Circle in one in 1958.
Alfamania
The sports cars start a new craze – Alfamania: the desire to own an Alfa 1900 even infects Fausto Coppi (1952), and when Hollywood stars come to Italy they don’t forget to pay a visit to Portello: Tyrone Power test drives a Disco Volante while Rita Hayworth chooses a 2500 in 1950.
The new models are a source of pride for Italian industry and are previewed to the President of the Republic. In 1955 Argentine president Peron buys a 3500 and in 1956 King Baldovino pays an interested visit to the Alfa Romeo stand and King Hussein of Jordan presents the prizes to the drivers in a special race organized in Africa for the “Giulietta Sprint”.
Passion for Alfa Romeo leads to the launch of the Owners Club in England and the USA, a club for lovers of the brand who own either a modern or vintage Alfa Romeo car
The Cars
The 1900
- YEAR OF PRODUCTION: 1950-1958
- ENGINE: 4 cylinders in line, single engine block
- ENGINE CAPACITY: 1884 cc
- POWER OUTPUT: 90 bhp at 5200 rpm
- TOP SPEED: 150/180 Km/hr
“The family car that wins races”. Designed by Orazio Satta to meet the needs of a market represented by the middle class, the 1900 is the first Alfa Romeo built entirely on a production line. A modern, functional car, with outstanding characteristics, it is also cheap. Its weight is considerably reduced, thanks to the construction technique – used for the first time – of a body in which the bodyshell is one piece with the chassis. The 4-cylinder 1884 cc engine, well received even by the most demanding customers, has the same classic structure and generous performance typical of Alfa Romeo engines. The simple and functional bodywork style is characteristic of the Italian trend of the time. The model appears in various versions: as a normal saloon, a saloon TI, a sprint (with short and long wheel base), and a military off-road vehicle (the “Matta” –‘Crazy’ car).
AR 51 “The Matta” (The Crazy car)
- YEAR OF PRODUCTION: 1951-1953
- ENGINE: 4 cylinders in line, single engine block
- ENGINE CAPACITY: 1884 cc
- POWER OUTPUT: 65 bhp at 4400 rpm
- TOP SPEED: 105 Km/hr
The Alfa Romeo off-road vehicle. With four-wheel drive, able to go up and down steep slopes, tackle a flight of steps and be generally “crazy”, hence its name. The model uses the same mechanics as the 1900. 2000 of them are delivered to the military authorities.
The Disco Volante
- YEAR OF PRODUCTION: 1952
- ENGINE: 4 cylinders in line, single engine block in light alloy – detachable cast iron struts
- ENGINE CAPACITY: 1997.4 cc
- POWER OUTPUT: 158 bhp at 6500 rpm
- TOP SPEED: 220-225 Km/hr
A “space-age” car. One of the most original stylistic offerings for the 1900, the «Disco Volante» (Flying Saucer) is the highly streamlined spider designed by the Touring department to participate in Sport Category races. Its name comes in part from science fiction, and in part from the descriptions of the first UFOs that feature highly in the collective imagination during this period. But it is also a way of describing an uncommon car, a low spider with rounded forms that does in fact owe a great deal to aeronautic design, which was fundamental to Alfa Romeo. The convex body is described as the «ornamental model» for its aerodynamic characteristics, which give the car great penetration characteristics even in a side-wind. Also created with two other types of bodywork, the car doesn’t get past the experimental stage. Only three models are produced.
The Giulietta
- YEAR OF PRODUCTION: 1954-1962
- ENGINE: 4 cylinders in line
- ENGINE CAPACITY: 1290 cc
- POWER OUTPUT: 80 bhp at 6300 rpm, 90 bhp at 6500 rpm.
- TOP SPEED: 165 (180) Km/hr
The first car with a proper name, instead of a number or initials. Under the direction of Orazio Satta, the Giulietta is created, a synthesis of the most advanced Alfa Romeo technologies concentrated into a space of only 1300 cc. Introduced to the sporting public in 1954 in the Sprint coupé version, with a young, dynamic style designed by Bertone, it is a sure-fire winner. Among its advantages is its reduced size, making it practical and agile as well as high performing. A car designed for the general public with a good quality/price ratio. Even after being in production for ten years, its still retains its modern look and its aerodynamic and elegant style. The Giulietta Saloon, launched in 1955 at the Turin Motor Show, and then the Giulietta Spider, one of Pininfarina’s masterpieces, both find immediate favor with the public for their mechanical merits and for the sober elegance of their style. In 1959 Bertone’s Sprint Special and Zagato’s SZ by comes out, cars with a distinctly racy feel.
Racing
1951
If the 158 is a “little jewel” replete with victories, then the 159, an evolution of the 158, is no less so, and a year after her elder sister she provides Alfa Romeo with yet another moment of great satisfaction: its second consecutive world title. The driver is Juan Manuel Fangio, with victories in Berne, Reims and Barcelona. While Farina and Fangio are busy winning the two world titles with the 158 and the 159, Alfa’s successes also continue on the road: such as the Carrera Panamericana, in which Bonetti and Bonini take part in a “2500” 6-cylinder
1952
The superiority of the 158 and the 159 has been proven: Alfa retires from Grand Prix racing in 1952.
1954
The victories continue: the Giulietta fights hard, even beating cars with larger engine capacities and the “Alfone 1900 TI” reaps even more success, winning its category at the Mille Miglia in 1954.
1957
Sporting customers, meanwhile, are racing with production cars in the Touring categories and in various European championships. In 1957 they chalk up no fewer than 142 victories.
Personalities
J. M. Fangio
The Argentine fox
An icy Argentine with a precise driving style, endowed with an exceptional tactical sense. Smart, highly skilled and lucky, Fangio is perhaps the best driver of all time. He is certainly the driver who has won the most, claiming 5 in the course of a richly rewarding career. The first world title comes in 1951 with Alfa Romeo, driving a 159 designed by Orazio Satta. He wins the opening race in Switzerland, then again in France. He loses to Gonzales at Silverstone but he does not lose heart. He claims victory in the Spanish GP to become champion. After retiring from Alfa Romeo’s official racing team, Fangio takes part in the Mille Miglia in a Milanese car. He is leading until Florence, and is unlucky that a breakdown on the Appennines slows his progress and sees him finish the race in second place. He later drives also for Mercedes.
The Company
In the fifties, Alfa is committed to production cars. The company has a twin objective: to establish assembly-line production and to capitalize on sporting success by providing a high performance product. It is a period of intense and blissful creativity. The 1900 manages to satisfy an ever more demanding market, while the “squadron” of 159s is invincible and wins the World Championship in 1950 and 1951. One version of the 1900, still remembered by many people in Italy, is the police “panther” with the distinctive black livery, supplied by Alfa from 1953 to the “Flying Squads” of the main Italian police headquarters. But the company’s real jewel in the crown is the Giulietta Sprint. These years see the start of a trend that is to continue into the future: the collaboration between interior study centers and external bodywork stylists. Cars continue to be produced promoting the “made in Italy” image. Alfa’s style sets the standard: alongside production cars, limited editions or one-off models are also produced, created by famous stylists. In 1958 Alfa Romeo comes to an agreement with Renault to build the “Dauphine” saloon.