Description
By: David Owen .
For more than 90 years, the name of Alfa Romeo has symbolised a proud tradition of engineering innovation, Italian style and ingenuity, and a continuous line of technical development.
The company was created in 1916 by the takeover of the original A.L.F.A. company by the industrialist Nicola Romeo, whose need for additional factory space to meet wartime machinery contracts was to lead to a lifetime involvement as a producer of sporting cars. Since then, the Alfa Romeo story has combined an unrivalled engineering pedigree with a series of all-but-fatal commercial challenges. In every case, a rescuer was eventually found, including at one time the Government of dictator Benito Mussolini.
David Owen introduces the company's colourful early history before concentrating on the post-war models. They are all here: the landmark Alfa 1900 marking the company's entry into the mass market, the best-selling Giulia and Giulietta models, radical new concepts for the Alfetta and Alfasud, and successors like the 75, the 90 and the 164.
The second edition of this successful book brings the story right up-to-date by turning the spotlight on to the exciting models that have emerged in recent years — most notably the much-loved 156. It examines the evolution of their engineering and styling, reviews how they have been received by the motoring press, and how they appeal to those fortunate enough to drive them. Technical specifications and buying information are included, together with features on issues of particular significance.
An engineer and long-time Alfa enthusiast, David Owen has been writing about the marque and individual models for more than 30 years. His books include Alfa Romeo: Ninety Years of Success on Road and Track.
