Alfa Romeo Tipo 158 Alfetta
The Alfa Romeo 158/159, or popularly known as the Alfetta (Little Alfa in Italian), is a highly successful racing car that has taken 47 wins from 54 Grands Prix races it has entered. Developed initially for pre-World War II voiturette formula (1937) racing, it is equipped with a 1.5 litre straight-8 supercharged engine. After the war, it was eligible for the new Formula One in 1947 and drivers such as Nino Farina, Juan Manuel Fangio, and Luigi Fagioli drove the car to dominate the first two seasons of the Formula One World Championship.
The Alfa Romeo 158 had its engineering responsibility handled by Gioacchino Colombo and is named after its 1.5 litre engine and eight cylinders. The voiturette class was for cars with 1.5 litre engines, akin to the GP2 series against Formula One. Alfa Romeo had 3 litre racing cars that had been made during 1938 and 1939, the Tipo 308, 312, and 316.
At the Coppa Ciano Junior in Livorno, Italy in August 1938, Emilio Villoresi drove the car to its first victory. At that time, the 1479cc engine produced around 200 bhp (150 kW) at 7000 rpm with the help of a single-stage Roots blower. The car won the Coppa Acerbo, Coppa Ciano, and Tripoli Grand Prix in May 1940, but its development was put on halt for six years due to World War II. Following the war, the engine was further developed to reach 254 bhp (189 kW), and it was denoted as Alfa Romeo Tipo 158/47. Sadly, this successful car had a tragic debut in the 1948 Swiss Grand Prix where Achille Varzi had lost control of the car and passed away. Similarly, driver Jean-Pierre Wimille was also killed in an accident while practicing for the 1949 Buenos Aires Grand Prix (driving with Simca-Gordini).
The Alfa Romeo 158 won every race it entered in 1950, proving the car's longevity despite being developed back in 1938. Supported by talented drivers such as Giuseppe Farina and Juan Manuel Fangio, the team was hard to beat. At the end of the 1950 season, a further updated version - the Alfa Romeo 159 - was made.
Step back in time with Alfa Romeo Tipo 158 Alfetta 1938! Reminisce in a historical moment with classic memorabilia from its iconic automotive designs. Get yourself the perfect conversation piece - posters, mouse pads, t-shirts, and calendars - and show off your modern nostalgia today.
