Alfa Romeo Alfetta 159 - It's landed!

[Evan Bottcher]

Hi folks, just been asked to post this:

The most famous Alfetta 159 I believe, now here in our Clubs hands.
Available for the public to see and photograph at Zagame as of Saturday morning.
Then Alfa only Racing at Phillip Island on the following week-end.

[Evan Bottcher]

How exciting!  Can't wait to hear it run..

[Fast Eddie]

Aye carumba!

Wish i was still in Melb with my Security pass and i could've been there too to watch it arrive!

[John Hanslow]

Great pics. Found an old article about the car that may be of interest too.

http://members.ozemail.com.au/~motorweb/158/

[ProvaRacing]

Can't wait to see it in the flesh.

[Gary Pearce]

I was privileged to get a sneak preview of the Alfetta 159 in Melbourne last Friday.
The car has enormous presence even standing still. Just to look at the actual cockpit where once seated was the likes of Fangio, Farina Fagioli and others, is a once in a life time opportunity that must not be missed by any passionate Alfisti.
It is almost unbelievable to think that this is an experience available for all, this week-end at Phillip Island, and the admission fee............is free!

     Interesting Alfetta 158/159 Facts.

•The Alfetta amassed an unmatched record of victories in races. It is considered to be the most successful Grand Prix car of all time.
•In the period from 1947 to 1951 there were 99 separate entries in 35 races, proving the successful design over 14 years.
•The Alfetta won all but 4, with 31 wins, 19 second places and 15 thirds.
•The Alfetta set the fastest lap in 23 races and had only 28 retirements.
•They completed 29,000 Formula 1 kilometers, which meant 11,000 kilometers per car for a reliability factor of 81%.
•The number of surviving 158/159's is 6.
•1 at the Biscaretti Museum in Turin.
•3 at the Alfa Romeo Museum at Arese (1 of which we have in Melbourne)
•1 Chassis without bodywork at Arese.
•1 in private hands.
•Build numbers are not clear, between 9 and 12 cars, but only 9 engines
blocks were ever cast. It is reported that the first 3 or 4 chassis were not correct and never used, but some may have been modified to provide parts for subsequent damaged cars. Records show 3 cars were destroyed while racing.
•The first World Championship of the modern F1 GP era was won by Farina in an Alfetta in 1950, followed by Fangio who won his first World Championship title in an Alfetta. Quiet possibly this one.
•The straight 8 twin-stage supercharged engine size is only 1480cc.
•Bore and Stroke is 58 x 70 mm.
•In its final development stage it developed 425 bhp at 9,300 rpm.
•Fuel capacity was up to 305 litres, for a max laden weight of 1092 kg.
•Fuel consumption, the Alfettas achilles heal was 188 lt/100 km.
•Maximum speed 309 km/h.

[Mile Jurcic]

Great post Gary, my focus was on the amazing peice of motor racing history, yet totally overlooking the racing Royalty the graced its cockit.
We are exceptionally lucky to have it here. Cant wait to see it.
Cheers
Mile

[Gary Pearce]

2 More sleeps till we hear it roar.................at Phillip Island.

[kartone]

When do the gates open to the general public on Saturday ?
Where can I park my restored 1980 GTV ?

[alfagtv58]

Kartone,

The gates open at 7am both days, we are all general public!!  Parking is anywhere but the paddock area where most (if not all) of the competition cars will be behind the pits.

BTW....

•Fuel consumption, the Alfettas achilles heal was 188 lt/100 km.

Holy Cr@p 
That's about eight and a half litres per lap at PI 

[Gary Pearce]

Further to the fuel consumption, as the Grand Prix events had to ba all over 300 Kilometers it meant the Alfetta usually needed 2 or 3 pit stops to re-fuel, even with it's 300 litre fuel capacity. Imagin the weight variation that Fangio had to contend with going from 1000 KG's rapidly down to 700 and sometimes all within the hour. And then when ya just get used to the lighter weight, they whack in another couple hundred KG's again. All on skinny tyres and no seat belts or fire extinguishers onboard, doing lap times close to our V8 Super Cars................... The stuff of real men. 

[Brad M]

..... The stuff of real men. 

They were "special", that is for sure.

[ProvaRacing]

...Imagin the weight variation that Fangio had to contend with going from 1000 KG's rapidly down to 700 and sometimes all within the hour. And then when ya just get used to the lighter weight, they whack in another couple hundred KG's again. All on skinny tyres and no seat belts or fire extinguishers onboard, doing lap times close to our V8 Super Cars................... The stuff of real men. 

Probably not as big a concern as the fuel spilt down his back and swishing around in his jocks! All the race drivers of those days were real men indeed.

[monoman]

Hmmm.  If sitting in petrol soaked jocks for an hour is what it takes to be a real man, then pass me the quiche.