A.L.F.A. 12HP – year 1911

Manufacturer: Anonima Lombarda Fabbrica Automobili, Milan, Italy.

Alfa is an abbreviation of the name of the Anonima Lombardia Fabbrica Automobili car factory, which was founded in 1909 r. from Darracq (Italian Automobile Company Darracq) w Hatch, in the suburbs of Milan. W 1915 r. the factory was bought by the industrialist Nicola Romei and after World War I changed the name of the factory to Alfa Romeo.

In the years 1911-1912, the first Alfa racing cars were already competing in the famous Targa Florio competition. Race initiator, Wine tax Florio, with the influence of the Sicilian family, he founded the prize of his name in the form of a massive golden shield - Targa. The races were held for the first time in 1906. along the length route 146 km with a difference in altitude to 1210 m i z 1006 curves. These were races for standard sports cars, which the price could not exceed 20 thousand francs. The first race was won by Alessandro Cagno on the Itala car, with average speed 46,8 km/h. Back then, the driver and the mechanic did everything themselves. They changed tires, refilled oil, gasoline and water, replaced candles, etc.. They did it during the races, the drive continued without interruption approx 9 hours. The Alfa Romeo brand set an exceptional record between 1930 and 1935, winning six consecutive races in a row.

The first Alfa car is the 24 / HP model with an engine capacity 5084 cm3, with a gearbox equipped with a drive shaft.

Alfa car shown in the picture 1 2 HP z 1911 r. he modeled himself on the type 24 HP z 1910 year. Capacity engine 2413 cm3 had a cylinder diameter 80 mm, a stroke of the piston 120 mm. With a 3-speed gearbox it developed power 8,8 kW (12 KM). Model 12 HP was produced in three versions, with motors 22 CV, 25 CV (would be B) i 28 CV (would be C). The cars reached their maximum speed 90, or more precisely 100 km/h. In addition to models with limousine-type bodies, models with torpedo-shaped bodies with unladen weight were produced 920 kg.

In the years 1910-1915 a total of them were produced 330 copies of the model 12 HP.