Alfa Romeo Grand Prix
Encyclopedia
A.L.F.A. 40/60 GP or GP was a fully working early racing car prototype made by the company now called Alfa Romeo
. Only one example was built in 1914, which was later modified in 1921. This was creation of Giuseppe Merosi
and was first Alfa Romeo DOHC engine. It had also four valves per cylinder, 90 degree valve angle and twin spark ignition. Usually Alfa Romeo DOHC engines are thought to be Vittorio Jano
's creations but the first one was Merosi's GP car. This kind of engine architecture was very new for the time, originating from 1912/1913 Peugeot
designed by Swiss engineer Ernest Henry. The history of this engine architecture is unclear, but other cars with dual overhead camshafts in the era were made by Sunbeam, Delage
and Humber
. This 1914 GP car was intended to take part in French Grand Prix
of that year, but for reasons unknown this never happened. In 1921 Giuseppe Campari
took part in the Gentlemen G.P. in Brescia
with the modified GP car, but was forced to retire due to a leaking radiator.
The GP engine had a displacement of 4.5 litres (4490 cc) and produced 88 bhp at 2950 rpm and after modifications in 1921 102 bhp at 3000 rpm. The top speed of this car was 88-93 mph (140–149 km/h). It wasn't until 1920s when these DOHC engines came to Alfa road cars like the Alfa Romeo 6C
.
Alfa Romeo
Alfa Romeo Automobiles S.p.A. is an Italian manufacturer of cars. Founded as A.L.F.A. on June 24, 1910, in Milan, the company has been involved in car racing since 1911, and has a reputation for building expensive sports cars...
. Only one example was built in 1914, which was later modified in 1921. This was creation of Giuseppe Merosi
Giuseppe Merosi
Giuseppe Merosi was a famous Italian automobile engineer.Born in Piacenza, Merosi trained as a building surveyor, before he discovered his gift for the automotive engineering. He gained first experiences at Bianchi and the running department of Fiats...
and was first Alfa Romeo DOHC engine. It had also four valves per cylinder, 90 degree valve angle and twin spark ignition. Usually Alfa Romeo DOHC engines are thought to be Vittorio Jano
Vittorio Jano
Vittorio Jano was an Italian automobile designer of Hungarian descent from the 1920s through 1960s.Jano was born Viktor János in San Giorgio Canavese, in Piedmont, to Hungarian immigrants, who arrived there several years before the birth of Jano. He began his career at the car and truck company...
's creations but the first one was Merosi's GP car. This kind of engine architecture was very new for the time, originating from 1912/1913 Peugeot
Peugeot
Peugeot is a major French car brand, part of PSA Peugeot Citroën, the second largest carmaker based in Europe.The family business that precedes the current Peugeot company was founded in 1810, and manufactured coffee mills and bicycles. On 20 November 1858, Emile Peugeot applied for the lion...
designed by Swiss engineer Ernest Henry. The history of this engine architecture is unclear, but other cars with dual overhead camshafts in the era were made by Sunbeam, Delage
Delage
Delage was a French luxury automobile and racecar company founded in 1905 by Louis Delage in Levallois-Perret near Paris; it was acquired by Delahaye in 1935 and ceased operation in 1953.-History:...
and Humber
Humber (car)
Humber is a dormant British automobile marque which could date its beginnings to Thomas Humber's bicycle company founded in 1868. Following their involvement in Humber through Hillman in 1928 the Rootes brothers acquired a controlling interest and joined the Humber board in 1932 making Humber part...
. This 1914 GP car was intended to take part in French Grand Prix
French Grand Prix
The French Grand Prix was a race held as part of Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile's annual Formula One automobile racing championships....
of that year, but for reasons unknown this never happened. In 1921 Giuseppe Campari
Giuseppe Campari
Giuseppe Campari was an Italian opera singer and Grand Prix motor racing driver.-Racing career:Born Giuseppe Campari near the city of Lodi southwest of Milan, as a teenager he went to work for the Alfa Romeo automobile company...
took part in the Gentlemen G.P. in Brescia
Brescia
Brescia is a city and comune in the region of Lombardy in northern Italy. It is situated at the foot of the Alps, between the Mella and the Naviglio, with a population of around 197,000. It is the second largest city in Lombardy, after the capital, Milan...
with the modified GP car, but was forced to retire due to a leaking radiator.
The GP engine had a displacement of 4.5 litres (4490 cc) and produced 88 bhp at 2950 rpm and after modifications in 1921 102 bhp at 3000 rpm. The top speed of this car was 88-93 mph (140–149 km/h). It wasn't until 1920s when these DOHC engines came to Alfa road cars like the Alfa Romeo 6C
Alfa Romeo 6C
The Alfa Romeo 6C name was used on road, race and sports cars made between 1925–1954 by Alfa Romeo. 6C refers to a straight 6 engine. Bodies for these cars were made by coachbuilders such as James Young, Zagato, Touring, Castagna, and Pininfarina...
.