The History of Alfa Romeo

No, in 1915, engineer and Neapolitan businessman Nicola Romeo took over ALFA and re-positioned it to produce military hardware for the war effort. In short order, weapons, aircraft engines, and other wartime machinery were produced by the vastly expanded factory in Portello. This continued for the duration of WWI.

Civilian car production resumed at the Portello factory in 1919, one year after the war ended. In 1920, the name of the company was changed to Alfa Romeo with the launch of the Torpedo 20/30 HP. It was during this time that a young Enzo Ferrari became a racing driver for Alfa Romeo. Enzo was a born racer and before long, driving a Torpedo 20/30 HP, he was logging in plenty of winning races including big wins at the world-famous Pescara Circuit in Pescara, Italy.

By the 1930s, the political landscape was changing throughout Europe. In particular, in Italy, the rise of Mussolini allowed Fascism to take a hold of the country and bring many changes to Italian life. It was at this point that Nicola Romeo left Alfa Romeo and the government took over the company. Interestingly, it was during this time of government ownership that Alfa-Romeo's reputation as a maker of high-end automobiles was established. The 8C 2300, for example, was widely hailed as one of the finest touring cars made in the world and achieved notable success in the Mille Miglia and Le Mans endurance races. It all came to a halt, however, during the Second World War when in 1944, three separate Allied bombing raids destroyed the factory in Portello and halted production.

Once the Second World War was over, production resumed at Alfa Romeo. By 1947, the popular pre-war 6C 2300 was updated and released as the 6C 2500. Post-war sales of this model were brisk and soon new models and new automotive technologies were in the works at Alfa Romeo. In particular, in 1954, the company released the Giulietta to considerable fanfare. It was a thoroughly modern looking car and was available in 4-door saloon/sedan, coupé, spider and estate forms. The Giulietta quickly became a fan favorite of the Italian people and soon entrepreneurs began to import Alfas Romeos around the world.

 

In the United States, one of these early importing entrepreneurs was Alfredo Gulla. Gulla, who emigrated from Italy to the United States as a young man, brought with him a love for fine Italian cars. In 1961, he established Alfredo's Foreign Cars and was one of the first Alfa Romeo, FIAT and ABARTH dealers in the country. Today, the Alfa Romeo portion of his business is known as Alfa Romeo FIAT of Larchmont.

At the start of the 1970's, Alfa Romeo launched the Alfasud. The Alfasud (Type 901, 902 and 904) was a small family car that was manufactured from 1971 to 1989 by Industria Napoletana Costruzioni Autoveicoli  S.p.A of Italy. This front-wheel-drive hatchback signalled the arrival of the modern-day Alfa Romeo - a practical, everyday car that was extraordinary in performance and design. This extended through the second-generation Giulietta models, introduced in 1977, and the turbo-diesel Alfetta 2000 TD in 1979, as well as the sleek-shaped saloons of the 1980s, including the 33, the 75 and the 164.

As the millenium arrived, Alfa Romeo updated its model range with cars that sported cutting edge design and excellent performance. The Alfa Romeo GT (Type 937) coupe automobile, produced between 2003 and 2010, was voted in 2004 as the world's most beautiful coupe in the annual 'World's Most Beautiful Automobile' (L'Automobile più Bella del Mondo) awards. 

In 2010, the Giulietta was updated in the form of a beautiful five-door hatch. In 2015, the Giulia made its world debut in Milan with then CEO Sergio Marchionne saying that the car would be: "retaking its rightful position in the market. It will once again be one of the leading symbols of Italian engineering and style, an icon of Italy's technological excellence and creative spirit."

At Alfa Romeo, there is a saying that goes: "Some make, we create" and today this couldn't be truer. Without question, Alfa Romeos are among the finest automobiles made in the world.

Are you interested in owning a piece of automotive history? Then look no further. As a teenager, Alfredo Gulla brought a passion for Italian automobiles to New York and that passion continues burn. Today, along with his 3 children, he runs Alfa Romeo FIAT of Larchmont, one of the country's foremost Alfa Romeo, FIAT, and ABARTH dealers. With more than 50 years history and experience, at Alfa Romeo FIAT of Larchmont you can expect friendly staff, exceptional service, and outstanding value.  You are graciously invited to visit and see what fine Italian automobiling is all about.