Register now to get rid of these ads!

History Alfa Romeo Aerodinamica Spider

Discussion in 'The Hokey Ass Message Board' started by Ryan, Jun 30, 2009.

  1. Ryan
    Joined: Jan 2, 1995
    Posts: 21,632

    Ryan
    ADMINISTRATOR
    Staff Member

  2. 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". :D Thanks for sharing.
     
  3. banjorear
    Joined: Jul 30, 2004
    Posts: 4,479

    banjorear
    Member

    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.
     
  4. Rolleiflex
    Joined: Oct 25, 2007
    Posts: 1,243

    Rolleiflex
    Member

    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.
     

  5. oldandkrusty
    Joined: Oct 8, 2002
    Posts: 2,141

    oldandkrusty
    Member

    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...
     
  6. -J-
    Joined: Mar 9, 2006
    Posts: 132

    -J-
    Member

    That's simply amazing, thank you for bringing this up. Damn that is beautiful!!
     
  7. Ryan
    Joined: Jan 2, 1995
    Posts: 21,632

    Ryan
    ADMINISTRATOR
    Staff Member

    It's actually center steer.... not left or right...
     
  8. miller91
    Joined: Dec 7, 2008
    Posts: 542

    miller91
    Member

    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.
     
  9. FiddyFour
    Joined: Dec 31, 2004
    Posts: 9,024

    FiddyFour
    Member

    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...
     
  10. miller91
    Joined: Dec 7, 2008
    Posts: 542

    miller91
    Member

    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.
     
  11. Asphalt Outlaw Hero
    Joined: Dec 9, 2006
    Posts: 963

    Asphalt Outlaw Hero
    Member
    from Dixie

    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!:eek:
     
  12. 1950ChevySuburban
    Joined: Dec 20, 2006
    Posts: 6,187

    1950ChevySuburban
    Member Emeritus
    from Tucson AZ

    I love it the way it is! "Improve" on it too much, and you've got a different car. Wouldn't be the same.
     
  13. miller91
    Joined: Dec 7, 2008
    Posts: 542

    miller91
    Member

    and perhaps the first mid-engined car, the 1923 Benz "Tropfenwagen".
     
  14. FiddyFour
    Joined: Dec 31, 2004
    Posts: 9,024

    FiddyFour
    Member


    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
     
  15. 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.
     
  16. zman
    Joined: Apr 2, 2001
    Posts: 16,730

    zman
    Member
    from Garner, NC

    sleek and sexy, especially for the era... damn we were behind in that department.
     
  17. Ryan ... one of your best O/T threads ever! :)
     
  18. 49ratfink
    Joined: Feb 8, 2004
    Posts: 18,828

    49ratfink
    Member
    from California

    hahaha! when I saw this post I knew HEMI32 would come running.
     
  19. FiddyFour
    Joined: Dec 31, 2004
    Posts: 9,024

    FiddyFour
    Member


    the times have not changed sir. . .
     
  20. Looks back-asswards in the above pic.
     
  21. theHIGHLANDER
    Joined: Jun 3, 2005
    Posts: 10,244

    theHIGHLANDER
    ALLIANCE MEMBER

    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...
     
  22. 60'shotrod
    Joined: Nov 18, 2007
    Posts: 2,914

    60'shotrod
    Member

    Alfa Romeo is all you have a say!

    Nick.
     
  23. Shifty Shifterton
    Joined: Oct 1, 2006
    Posts: 4,964

    Shifty Shifterton
    Member

    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
     
  24. general gow
    Joined: Feb 5, 2003
    Posts: 6,407

    general gow
    MODERATOR
    Staff Member

    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.
     
  25. metalshapes
    Joined: Nov 18, 2002
    Posts: 11,138

    metalshapes
    Member

    Last edited: Jun 30, 2009
  26. metalshapes
    Joined: Nov 18, 2002
    Posts: 11,138

    metalshapes
    Member

    And a drawing of the Jankovits Alfa.

    14WqCPda1vjyhv2.jpg
     
  27. lownrusty
    Joined: Aug 15, 2003
    Posts: 639

    lownrusty
    Member

    Center steer so you can have the ladies on both sides, cool looking for sure.
     
  28. metalshapes
    Joined: Nov 18, 2002
    Posts: 11,138

    metalshapes
    Member

    Some more pics.

    29xf0bm.jpg

    1138371786939315.jpeg

    alfajankovits10pe.jpg

    alfajankovits25nl.jpg

    alfajankovits39rm.jpg
     
  29. banjorear
    Joined: Jul 30, 2004
    Posts: 4,479

    banjorear
    Member


    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.
     
  30. miller91
    Joined: Dec 7, 2008
    Posts: 542

    miller91
    Member

    This one? It was super fast, too...
     

Share This Page

Register now to get rid of these ads!

Archive

Copyright © 1995-2021 The Jalopy Journal: Steal our stuff, we'll kick your teeth in. Terms of Service. Privacy Policy.

Atomic Industry
Forum software by XenForo™ ©2010-2014 XenForo Ltd.