This one is off-topic for sure, but it's a great story about a gorgeous car and I figured you guys could at least appreciate it. If not, just skip it... We'll be back with big news tomorrow. Until then, let's check out what was going on at Alfa Romeo... <BR><BR>To read the rest of this blog entry from The Jalopy Journal, click here.
Neat lookin' car, reminds me of a beetle ready to fly with the engine compartment open. Also liked the story of the shoot out with the "Commies". Thanks for sharing.
Ryan or anyone: Where is the car now? Obviously it is a significant piece of history. Too bad it didn't have a few bullet holes in it as momentos of the shoot out.
That's a neat car, but it's not as good looking as the Auto Union car that you mentioned. Regardless, it'd be neat to see this car lowered with either disc wire wheel covers or a set of the windowless Halibrands on it.
What a fantastic car! Thank you Ryan for bringing it to our attention. I do have a question about the car; why does it have right hand drive if it was designed by Slavs for an Italian company? Did the Jankovits plan on their little trip out of the country and over to Great Britain well before they actually took the trip and, consequently, made the conversion? Hmmmmmmmm, who knows...
Jano was a genius, one of the greats, known best today for his work with Ferrari. Going up against the might of the prewar German efforts was no easy task. He had come to Alfa in 1923 designing many sports and championship cars, notably the P2. At the request of racing team manager Enzo Ferrari, Jano was brought back to the board immediately prewar; the period in which this interesting car was developed. Their is a full article on this car in Octane magazine, archived in their website. http://www.classicandperformancecar...es/233224/alfa_romeo_aerodinamica_spider.html Jano's replacement Ricart designed the relevant 512 championship car seen below.
i dont know where to start with this... its got simple lines, nothing complex that draws the eye to one point, low and sporty, i like that a lot... the sleek center of the car does kinda contrast with the way the fender tops blend along the entire side of the car, almost like a VW made it with a belly tank racer...
and seeing Ryan has given an all-clear to play a little bit O/T, here are some notable Alfa aerodynamic classics. One of my favorite marques.
That's gorgeous! I read an interesting story years ago about a guy who tracked down a Mercedes Benz 540K that was given to Stalin by Hitler.Stalin considered it too bourgeois and gave it to one of his generals as a staff car.A guy tracked it down to his kid's country estate. He thought about diassembling it but then said WTF.He drove it across the border on a Sunday like he owned it.......it worked!
I love it the way it is! "Improve" on it too much, and you've got a different car. Wouldn't be the same.
there are a LOT of interesting tales of tracking down, procuring and smuggling rare cars out of the former soviet block nations. . . Bluto could tell us volumes, but thats for another blog entry
What a sensual looking thing. Some of the machines from that era are so beautiful both aesthetically and mechanically. The Auto Union cars were pretty amazing too but had that, German, purpose built look like a Messerschmitt or Stuka.
Maybe it's just me, but I don't see the O/T reference. As written the car has volumes of inspiration for would-be one off builders. Most of the custom builds for competition and individual use can really change a builder's perspectives. Just look past the obvious. Mid 30s Alfas are among the most beautiful cars ever. Imagine something inspired by that 38 (?) in the above pic by miller91 but powered by an early Cad or Olds, maybe a high zoot blown flatty or Ardun...
Ever since the bubble top renaissance started I've been waiting for that style of windshield to show up on hot rods. Throw that on a bucket or A roadster with the tub opening rounded out a bit and you're a low-rent Roth without actual bubble top expense or useability compromises Great car
i think it's sort of funny that alfa commissioned this car, then abandoned it like a red headed step child, and still they take credit for it as part of their history and associate it with their marque. i don't think it's particulary beautiful. in fact, it seems a little awkward. but there is still something about it. i think ryan is right, there is plenty of material here to gain inspiration from and make something special. weird, interesting story. thanks for this one.
This drawing reminds me of the Mercedes race car transporter. Not sure what it was actually called but, the same cab forward and long sloping bed/hauler for the silver arrow. Neat stuff.