Alfa Romeo Disco Volante

Alfa Romeo Disco Volante

Alfa Romeo Disco Volante Spider
Overview
Manufacturer Alfa Romeo
Also called Alfa Romeo 1900 C 52
Production 1952-1953
Designer Carrozzeria Touring[1]
Body and chassis
Class Concept car
Body style Spider
Coupé
Layout FR layout
Powertrain
Engine 1997 cc straight-4
3495 cc straight-6
Transmission 4-speed manual
Dimensions
Wheelbase 2,220 mm (87.4 in)
Curb weight 735 kg (1,620 lb) with 1997 cc engine

The Alfa Romeo Disco Volante (Italian for "Flying Saucer") known also as 1900 C52,[2] is a concept car series with production starting from 1952. The cars were racing car concepts with mechanics from the Alfa Romeo 1900 and made in collaboration with Milan based coachbuilder Touring. The engine was a slightly tuned 1900 engine (1997 cc) now producing 158 bhp (118 kW). The car was very streamlined, windtunnel tested, and the body was built on a tubular space frame.[3] This aerodynamic shape made a top speed of 220 kilometres per hour (140 mph) possible.[2]

Three different body styles were made: one open seater and two different coupé styles. There was even a 3.5 L version made for Juan Manuel Fangio.[4] None of these automobiles ever attained to the status of truly successful racing cars although they were tried a few times, with one victory having been taken at the Gran Premio Supercortemaggiore. According to some the design of the Jaguar E-type has some design cues similar to the Disco Volante.[5]

The unique 3.5-liter car is preserved in the Museo Nazionale dell'Automobile in Turin; two 2.0-liter prototypes are preserved in the Alfa Romeo museum in Arese and are regularly used in classic car races. Estimated value of each is between 1 and 2 million Euro.[6]

A bronze sculpture inspired by the Disco Volante was revealed in the Fiera Milano for the 100 Years of Alfa Romeo in Summer 2010.[7]

References

  1. ↑ "Registro Internazionale Touring Superleggera". Retrieved November 11, 2012.
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 "Teil2: Alfa 1900 C52 Disco Volante". motorvision.de (in German). Retrieved 2010-07-05.
  3. ↑ Owen, David. Alfa Romeo Always With Passion. ISBN 1-85960-628-8.
  4. ↑ "Alfa Romeo Disco Volante". museoauto.it. Retrieved 2012-08-28.
  5. ↑ Bayley, Stephen (2009-07-12). "Sculpture for our times". guardian.co.uk (London). Retrieved 2010-07-05.
  6. ↑ "Autoreview no. 15, 2008". autoreview.ru (in Russian). Archived from the original on 15 September 2008. Retrieved 2008-09-15.
  7. ↑ Mike Daly (2010). "100 Years of Alfa Romeo". hauteliving.com. Archived from the original on 11 July 2010. Retrieved 2010-07-05.