The Alfa Romeo brand has a rich history, one that can be traced all the way back to 1910. For decades, drivers have praised the automaker for creating vehicles that drive gracefully and look unique. But how did Alfa Romeo get its start, and how did the brand find so much success in the automotive industry? Below, we’ve put together a history of Alfa Romeo and its greatest accomplishments.
The story of Alfa Romeo began in 1910, when Cavalier Ugo Stella purchased a Milan factory building belonging to a French automotive company. The business was originally known as Anonima Lombarda Fabbrica Automobili. The abbreviation of this name, A.L.F.A., is the origin of the “Alfa” piece of the modern Alfa Romeo name. The second part of the name comes from Nicola Romeo, an entrepreneur who took control of the company in 1915.
The Alfa Romeo name has long been associated with remarkable performance and speed, which is likely due to the many successes of its race cars. Alfa Romeo gained international attention when Italian race car driver Ugo Sivocci drove the Alfa Romeo RL to victory at the 1923 Targa Florio. Alfa Romeo would go on to win many impressive achievements in the decades that followed, all of which were made possible by a team of hard-working engineers and talented drivers.
Some notable Alfa Romeo victories in the world of racing include:
- 5 World Championships
- 17 European Championships
- 11 Mille Miglias
- 10 Targa Florios
- 4 Le Mans
While race-like performance is an important part of the Alfa Romeo experience, it isn’t the only thing that makes it special. Alfa Romeo vehicles are celebrated by many drivers because of their striking exterior style. Through the years, Alfa Romeo has worked with many legendary automotive designers to make stylish and iconic cars. Famous vehicle designers who have worked with Alfa Romeo include Sergio Pininfarina, Elio Zagato, Franco Scaglione and Nuccio Bertone.
Alfa Romeo continues to enjoy success in today’s automotive industry, where it is seen as a manufacturer of premium Italian vehicles. The modern Alfa Romeo model lineup consists of the Stelvio, a luxury SUV with sharp styling and performance, the Giulia, a high-performance sedan with impressive technology features and unparalleled interior comfort, and the Tonale, Alfa Romeo’s first compact crossover SUV with but Hybrid and gas powered models available. Both the Stelvio and Giulia models are offered in Quadrifoglio configurations, which include even more premium amenities and improved performance which are being retired in Canada after 2024.
Drivers interested in purchasing an Alfa Romeo vehicle in London, Ontario can shop for a variety of new and pre-owned models at Alfa Romeo of London. We’re happy to take time with each of our customers to ensure they purchase a vehicle that meets their expectations. Have any questions for our team about an Alfa Romeo vehicle that interests you? You can reach our team by calling (866)-549-2724, or by sending us a message with the contact form below.