Description

Here for the first time is a book dedicated to the famous red cars of Alfa Romeo, in Grand Prix racing.

Drawing on factory archives and the previously unpublished memories of men who built and raced the cars, David Venables chronicles the full story, from the company’s tentative start in 1910 through to the glory years and on to its demise 80 years later.

In the 1920s and 1930s, Alfa Romeo towered over the sport. The bitter fight with Mercedes and Auto Union is recounted in fascinating detail, including how the rivalry of Hitler and Mussolini spread to the race tracks of Europe in the years leading up to the Second World War. Alfa, racing for the prestige of fascist Italy, developed the indomitable Tipo 158, then the 159 in which Juan Manuel Fangio won the 1951 World Championship.

In the 1970s Alfa Romeo supplied engines to McLaren and Bernie Ecclestone’s Brabham Team, and then built a new generation of Formula 1 cars, but these attempts at revival were not successful.

Intertwined with the cars and races in the book, are the personalities of the designers, drivers, and long-suffering mechanics. Looming over them all is Enzo Ferrari, who raced for Alfa Romeo, then managed the team and ended as its fiercest rival.

The meticulously researched text is supported by a wealth of historic photographs and appendices detailing the principal drivers, victories and cars.

Hardback in as new condition.