วันเสาร์ที่ 16 มิถุนายน พ.ศ. 2555

>>A.L.F.A. 40/60 GP

A.L.F.A. 40/60 GP



A.L.F.A. 40/60 GP
Alfa Romeo Grand Prix.jpg
ManufacturerA.L.F.A.
Also calledA.L.F.A. GP
Production1914 (1921)
AssemblyItaly
ClassRacing car
Body style2-seater open wheeler
Engine4.5L straight four twin overhead cam
Curb weight870 kg (1,900 lb)
DesignerGiuseppe Merosi
A.L.F.A. 40/60 GP or GP (Grand Prix) 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 (66 kW) at 2950 rpm and after modifications in 1921 102 bhp (76 kW) 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 33 Stradale

Alfa Romeo 33 Stradale



Alfa Romeo 33 Stradale
Alfa Romeo 33 Stradale
ManufacturerAlfa Romeo
ProductionNovember 1967 - March 1969
AssemblyMilan, Italy (Carrozzeria Marazzi)
ClassSports car
Body style2-door coupe
LayoutRear mid-engine, rear-wheel drive
Engine2.0 L V8
TransmissionColotti 6-speed manual
Wheelbase2,350 mm (92.5 in)
Length3,970 mm (156.3 in)
Width1,710 mm (67.3 in)
Height991 mm (39.0 in)
Curb weight700 kg (1,543 lb)
RelatedRacing car: Alfa Romeo Tipo 33
Production car: Alfa Romeo Montreal
DesignerFranco Scaglione
The Alfa Romeo 33 Stradale is an extremely rare road car built by Alfa Romeo of Italy. "Stradale" (Italian for "road-going") is a term often used by Italian car manufacturer to indicate a street-legal (usually heavily modified and/or underpowered) version of a sports car.
Only 18 have been made. The prototype , the first production 33 Stradale and the five concept cars are now part of the Alfa Romeo Museum.
In Top Gear's 100 Sexiest Cars list, the Alfa Romeo 33 Stradale was featured as number 15.
A twin headlight 33 Stradale can be seen in the 1969 italian movie Un bellissimo novembre.

Derivation

The 33 Stradale, first built in 1967, was based on the Autodelta Alfa Romeo Tipo 33 racing car. The car, designed by Franco Scaglione, and built by Carrozzeria Marazzi, made its debut at the 1967 Turin Motorshow.

Price

Built in an attempt by Alfa to make some of its racing technology available to the public, it was the most expensive automobile for sale to the public in 1968 at US$17,000 (when the average cost of a new car in 1968 was $2,822).
In Italy, the 33 Stradale was sold for 9.750.000 lire. In the same period, the price for an Alfa Romeo Giulia TI was 1.570.000 lire, about 5 million for a Jaguar and over 6 million for a Ferrari.

Features

The 33 Stradale is believed to be the first production vehicle to feature dihedral doors, also known as butterfly doors. The 33 Stradale also features windows which seamlessly curve upward into the 'roof' of the vehicle. As a result of being built by hand, each model differs from the others for some details. For example, early models had twin headlights , replaced in the last ones by single lights. The position of the windscreen wiper, and even the number of them, is another thing that differentiates each example from the others. Check the gallery to see different models of 33 Stradale.
The race-bred engine bore no relation to the mass-produced units in Alfa's more mainstream vehicles. Race engineer Carlo Chiti designed an oversquare (78 mm bore x 52,2 mm stroke) dry-sump lubricated 1,995 cc (121.7 cu in) V8 that featured SPICA fuel injection, four ignition coils and 16 spark plugs. The engine used four chain-driven camshafts to operate the valve train and had a rev-limit of 10000 rpm.The engine produced 230 bhp (172 kW) at 8800 rpm in road trim and 270 bhp (200 kW) in race trim.
In another break from convention, Alfa used a six-speed transaxle gearbox by Valerio Colotti.

Performance

The car takes 5.5 seconds to reach 60 mph (96.56 km/h) from a standing start and has top speed of 260 km/h (160 mph).

Concept cars based on 33 Stradale

Five 33 Stradales were dressed with individual bodies, which all are unique:

Bertone

  • Marcello Gandini designed a wedge-shaped coupe with gullwing doors the Carabo in 1968 for Bertone. The car was built on the chassis No. 750.33.109.
  • In 1976 Bertone made the Navajo No. 750.33.117, a massively-acting closed coupe with angular contours and large roll bar.

Pininfarina

Pininfarina designed between 1969-1971 a total of three vehicles on two 33 Stradale chassis:
  • The P 33 Sport Roadster of 1968 was an open vehicle with a lower windscreen and a striking, painted in dark color roll bar. The vehicle used in the chassis No. 750.33.108. It was at the Turin Motor Show, presented to the public in November 1968. His whereabouts are unclear. Partly it is considered that the body of the P 33 was removed after the public exhibition, the chassis and two years later with the body of the Cuneo had been provided.
  • The Prototype Pininfarina Speciale 1969 was a rotund coupe with gullwing doors, pop-up headlights and heavily glazed cockpit that some design ideas later Ferrari anticipated models. Use the vehicle chassis No. 750.33.115. It bore a striking yellow paint.
  • The Pininfarina Cuneo was an open, wedge-designed sports car that was presented at the Brussels Motor Show in January 1971 and probably also based on the chassis No. 750.33.108.

Italdesign

Italdesign, founded by Giorgio Giugiaro presented the Iguana at the Turin Motor Show in November 1969, it is a closed two-seater sports coupe with an unusually high hedge on the basis of the chassis No. 750.33.116. The design showed some new elements, that Giugiaro few years later introduced in production vehicle designs. Thus, the body of the Iguana was made ​​of brushed steel, this concept Giugiaro realized later when De Lorean DMC-12 . The front end of the Iguana Giugiaro quoted in his designs for Maserati models Bora and Merak , and the rear end with the high-mounted tail lights were put into production in the Alfa Romeo Alfasud Sprint. Allegedly, a serial production of the Iguana was planned, the intention never realized, however.

NameDesignerDebutImage
Alfa Romeo CaraboBertone1968 Paris Motor Show1968 Alfa Romeo Carabo.jpg
Alfa Romeo P33 Roadster G.S.
(was later rebodied into the Cuneo)
Pininfarina1968 Turin Auto Show
Alfa Romeo IguanaItaldesign Giugiaro1969 Turin Auto ShowAlfa Romeo Iguana.jpg
Alfa Romeo 33.2Pininfarina1969 Paris Motor Show1969 Alfa Romeo Tipo 33.2 - Flickr - andrewbasterfield.jpg
Alfa Romeo CuneoPininfarina1971 Brussels Motor Show
Alfa Romeo NavajoBertone1976 Geneva Motor Show1976 Alfa Romeo Navajo - Flickr - Supermac1961.jpg

Gallery


>>Alfa Romeo 33

Alfa Romeo 33


Alfa Romeo 33
Alfa Romeo 33
ManufacturerAlfa Romeo
Production1983–1995
AssemblyPomigliano d'Arco, Italy
PredecessorAlfa Romeo Alfasud
SuccessorAlfa Romeo 145/146
ClassSmall family car
Body style5-door hatchback
5-door station wagon
LayoutFF layout
Four wheel drive
EnginePetrol:
1.2 Alfa Romeo H4
1.3 Alfa Romeo H4
1.4 Alfa Romeo H4
1.5 Alfa Romeo H4
1.7 Alfa Romeo H4
Diesel:
1.8 L HRT 392 I3 (VM)
Wheelbase2,475 mm (97.4 in)
2,470 mm (97.2 in) (4x4)
Length4,075 mm (160.4 in)
Width1,615 mm (63.6 in)
Height1,350–1,375 mm (53.1–54.1 in)
Curb weight890–1,070 kg (2,000–2,400 lb)
RelatedAlfa Romeo Sprint
DesignerErmanno Cressoni at Centro Stile Alfa Romeo 
The Alfa Romeo 33 is a small family car produced by the Italian automaker Alfa Romeo between 1983 and 1995. It was essentially an evolution of its predecessor, the Alfasud, which was based on the same floorplan, chassis and mechanicals albeit with some minor modifications. The Nissan based Alfa Romeo Arna was launched shortly after, offering a similar size car but at a lower cost.
The 33 has a unique place in Alfa Romeo history - nearly 1 million of these cars were produced internationally. During its 11 year lifespan the 33 saw a light facelift in 1986 and a significant restyle in 1989. The 33 was discontinued in 1994 and replaced by the Alfa Romeo 145 and 146, which used the same boxer engines but built around an entirely new platform based on the Fiat Tipo.

Launch model (1983-1986)

Initially known as the Alfa 33, the 5-door hatchback was launched in 1983 and a station wagon version (initially badged Giardinetta, later badged SportWagon) was introduced the following year at the same time as a four-wheel drive version of the hatchback. The hatchback was styled by Ermanno Cressoni at the Centro Stile Alfa Romeo, while the station wagon was designed by Pininfarina. Unlike the Alfasud, a 3-door was never launched.
The 33 became renowned for its nimble handling and powerful boxer engines, but also became equally well known for its unreliable electronics and tendencies to rust (a frequent complaint on Italian cars in general at the time). Another issue was its braking and increased unsprung weight — the Alfasud's inboard front disc brakes (mounted on the gearbox) had been moved to the more common outboard discs (mounted on the wheel hubs). The rear discs of the Sud's four-wheel disc arrangement had also been replaced with drums.
The car featured numerous innovations for the company, including an instrument binnacle that moved up and down with the adjustable steering wheel, and a plastic bonnet. The UK launch promoted the sleek design,and the Daily Mail noted its low drag coefficient of 0.36, and very impressive in 1983 with only bigger cars such as the Ford Sierra and Audi 100 able to better it.

Engines

  • 1.2 1,186 cc flat-4, 50 kW (68 PS; 67 bhp) at 6,000 rpm, 92 N·m (68 ft·lbf) at 3,200 rpm (Single carburettor)
  • 1.3 1,351 cc flat-4, 58 kW (79 PS; 78 bhp) at 6,000 rpm, 113 N·m (83 ft·lbf) at 3,500 rpm (Single carburettor)
  • 1.3 1,351 cc flat-4, 63 kW (86 PS; 84 bhp) at 5,800 rpm, 121 N·m (89 ft·lbf) at 4,000 rpm
  • 1.5 1,490 cc flat-4, 62 kW (84 PS; 83 bhp) at 5,800 rpm, 123 N·m (91 ft·lbf) at 3,500 rpm
  • 1.5 1,490 cc flat-4, 70 kW (95 PS; 94 bhp) at 5,750 rpm, 133 N·m (98 ft·lbf) at 4,000 rpm (Twin carburettor)
  • 1.5 1,490 cc flat-4, 77 kW (105 PS; 103 bhp) at 6,000 rpm, 136 N·m (100 ft·lbf) at 4,000 rpm (Two-Twin carburettor)

Facelift (1986-1989)


Alfa Romeo 33 (facelift)

Alfa Romeo 33 (facelift) estate
A mild facelift in autumn 1986 resulted in a revised range when the 1.7 litre engine was introduced and a new interior which simplified the dashboard, and lost the innovative moveable instrument binnacle. Exterior alterations were limited to indicator lens colour changes and minor amendments to grill and bumpers. A 1.8 litre diesel engine was also introduced in some markets.

Engines

  • 1.3 1,351 cc flat-4, 58 kW (79 PS; 78 bhp) (Single carburettor)
  • 1.3 1,351 cc flat-4, 63 kW (86 PS; 84 bhp) (Twin carburettor)
  • 1.5 1,490 cc flat-4, 77 kW (105 PS; 103 bhp) (Twin carburettor)
  • 1.5 i.e. 1,490 cc flat-4, 72 kW (98 PS; 97 bhp) (EFI)
  • 1.7 1,712 cc flat-4, 87 kW (118 PS; 117 bhp) (Twin carburettor)
  • 1.8 TD 1,779 cc straight-3, 54 kW (73 PS; 72 bhp) (KKK 14 turbocharger)

Second series (1990-1995)


Alfa Romeo 33 (Series II) 1.7
The 33 was given a more extensive facelift in the end of 1989, the Series II or 'Nuova' 33, which went on sale in January 1990. This featured a revised interior, the introduction of fuel injection, the 1.7 litre engine upgraded to include a 137 PS (101 kW; 135 hp) 16 valve version, and a heavily restyled front and rear ends, in line with the new Alfa "family look" established by the flagship 164. Also new four wheel drive version was introduced called the Permanent 4, which was renamed to Q4 starting from 1992. Late production 33s also do not suffer from the rust problems of their ancestors, as their frames are galvanized in the manner Alfa Romeo introduced with the 164.

Engines

  • 1.2 1,186 cc flat-4, 57 kW (77 PS; 76 bhp) at 6,000 rpm, 95 N·m (70 ft·lbf) at 4,500 rpm (twin carburettors)
  • 1.3 1,351 cc flat-4, 63–66 kW (86–90 PS; 84–89 bhp) at 6,000 rpm, 119–122 N·m (88–90 ft·lbf) at 4,500 rpm (twin Weber carburettors)
  • 1.3 IE 1,351 cc flat-4, 64–66 kW (87–90 PS; 86–89 bhp) at 6,000 rpm, 109 N·m (80 ft·lbf) at 4,500 rpm(Marelli IAW, on some markets Bosch Jetronic before April 1992)
  • 1.5 1,490 cc flat-4, 77 kW (105 PS; 103 bhp) (twin DRLA40 carburettors)
  • 1.5 IE 1,490 cc flat-4, 77 kW (105 PS; 103 bhp) at 6,000 rpm, 126 N·m (93 ft·lbf) at 4,500 rpm (Bosch L3-1 Jetronic)
  • 1.5 IE cat 1,490 cc flat-4, 70 kW (95 PS; 94 bhp) at 6,000 rpm, 125 N·m (92 ft·lbf) at 4,500 rpm(Bosch LE3 Jetronic before April 1992, Bosch Motronic MP3.1 after)
  • 1.7 IE 1,712 cc flat-4, 81 kW (110 PS; 109 bhp) at 5,800 rpm, 153 N·m (113 ft·lbf) at 4,500 rpm (Bosch LE3 Jetronic before April 1992, Bosch Motronic MP3.1 from April 1992)
  • 1.7 IE cat 1,712 cc flat-4, 79 kW (107 PS; 106 bhp) at 5,800 rpm, 149 N·m (110 ft·lbf) at 4,500 rpm (Bosch LE3 Jetronic before April 1992, Bosch Motronic MP3.1 from April 1992)
  • 1.7 IE 16V 1,712 cc flat-4, 98–101 kW (133–137 PS; 131–135 bhp) at 6,500 rpm, 157–161 N·m (116–119 ft·lbf) at 4,600 rpm (Bosch Motronic ML4.1)
  • 1.7 IE 16V cat 1,712 cc flat-4, 95–97 kW (129–132 PS; 127–130 bhp) at 6,500 rpm, 151–155 N·m (111–114 ft·lbf) at 4,600 rpm (Bosch Motronic ML4.1)
  • 1.8 TD i 1,779 cc straight-3, 62 kW (84 PS; 83 bhp) at 4,200 rpm and 178 N·m (131 lbf·ft) at 2,400 rpm, turbocharged with Intercooler (VM HRT 392)

Z33 Free Time prototype

Zagato made a tall-bodied three-door prototype, a Compact MPV anticipating the Renault Scénic by over a decade. Called the "Z33 Free Time" this was shown at the 1984 Geneva Motor Show, but the project remained a single prototype. The "Free Time" was no longer than the regular "33" at just under 4 metres (157 in) and retained most of its driving characteristics, but with greatly increased interior space. The tiny six-seater was based on the chassis of the 33 but was visually more related to the Giulietta.

วันศุกร์ที่ 15 มิถุนายน พ.ศ. 2555

>>Alfa Romeo 2600

Alfa Romeo 2600


Alfa Romeo 2600
Alfa Romeo 2600 Touring SpiderAlfa Romeo 2600 Spider
ManufacturerAlfa Romeo
Production1961–1968
11,346 produced
2,092 Berlina
6,999 Sprint
2,255 Spider
54 OSI De Luxe
AssemblyPortello, Milan, Italy
East London, South Africa (2600 Berlina, 1963-1968 Car Distributors Assembly)
PredecessorAlfa Romeo 2000
SuccessorAlfa Romeo 1750
ClassLuxury car
Body style4-door Berlina (sedan)
2-door Spider (convertible)
2-door Sprint (coupe)
LayoutFR layout
Engine2.6 L DOHC straight-6
Transmission5-speed manual
WheelbaseBerlina/Sprint/Spider
2,720 mm (107.1 in)/2,580 mm (101.6 in)/2,500 mm (98.4 in)
Length4,700 mm (185.0 in)/4,580 mm (180.3 in)/4,500 mm (177.2 in)
Width1,700 mm (66.9 in)/1,706 mm (67.2 in)/1,690 mm (66.5 in)
Curb weight1,220–1,380 kg (2,690–3,042 lb)
RelatedAlfa Romeo 2000
DesignerSprint Bertone's Giorgetto Giugiaro
SZ Zagato's Ercole Spada
Spider Touring
The Alfa Romeo 2600 (series 106) was Alfa Romeo´s six-cylinder flagship produced from 1961 to 1968. It was the successor to the Alfa Romeo 2000. It has become historically significant as the last Alfa Romeo to have been fitted with an inline six-cylinder engine having twin overhead camshafts. That had been the traditional Alfa Romeo engine configuration since the 1920s, but gave way to four-cylinder engines as the factory oriented its production towards more economical mass-produced car models after the Second World War.
The 2600 was introduced in the 1962 Geneva Motor Show,as a sedan with a factory-built body (2600 Berlina), a two-plus-two seater convertible with body by Carrozzeria Touring (2600 Spider), and a coupe with a body by Bertone (2600 Sprint). A convertible based on the Sprint coupe was shown by Bertone in 1963. It was also named 2600 Sprint, but did not enter production. The 2600 SZ (Sprint Zagato) with fastback coupe bodywork by Zagato, and the limited-edition 2600 De Luxe with six-window sedan bodywork by OSI(Officine Stampaggi Industriale) were introduced three years later in 1965 at the Frankfurt Motor Show.

Overview


2600 Sprint
The Berlina, Spider and Sprint were based on the corresponding models in the 2000 range, and all three inherited the body styling of their predecessors with minor facelifting. The biggest change was the engine. A brand new all-alloy 2.6 liter engine with six cylinders in line and twin overhead camshafts replaced the earlier four-cylinder engine with its cast-iron block which dated back to the 1900 range of 1950. Two carburettors were fitted to the Berlina engines, while the Sprint, Spider and Sprint Zagato engines had three twin-choke horizontal carburettors and developed 145 bhp (108 kW). The OSI De Luxe was available with either the two-carb or the three-carb setup.
Total production for the Sprint was 6999 cars, and for the Spider 2255 cars.

2600 Berlina

2600 Berlina de Luxe

From a sales point of view, the 2600 models were not a success, despite deserved acclaim for that excellent engine. The poor sales were not only due to the elevated prices of the 2600 models. The cars did not compare well to contemporary products, including those of Alfa Romeo themselves. The factory had decided - correctly, as it turned out - to concentrate their limited development resources on the mid-sized Giulia which was introduced at about the same time. The flagship 2600 range was only a minor facelift of the 2000 range with a new engine, as this was all that the factory could do with the resources available. Since the 2000 itself had basically been a 1958 restyling of the 1950 1900, this left the 2600 with running gear a dozen years old at introduction.
The new engine also added weight and length at the front; though this did much for stability, it did not help the handling. Because the 2600 was a flagship Alfa Romeo model, expectations were high, and both critics and customers quickly spotted the deficiencies, both on paper and on the road. For example, the 165-400 radial tires fitted to the 2600 were a mere 10 mm (0.4 in) wider in section than the 155-15 tires fitted to the Giulietta, though the 2600 had considerably more power and weight. When the new Giulia appeared with completely new running gear, the 2600 was shown up even more.

Sprint Zagato
Another reason for slow sales was styling and concept. The Berlina's styling was not happy and that was reflected in especially poor sales for that model; while most Alfa Romeo berlinas in the marque's history outsold the more specialised sporting models in the same range, the 2600 Berlina did not outsell the 2600 Sprint and Spider. The 2600 Spider had styling which was seen to be derivative of that of its smaller stablemate, the Giulietta Spider: certainly handsome, but lacking the smaller car's grace and balance. The larger car's handling also suffered perhaps unfair comparison to that of the Giulietta Spider, and this is an important factor in a car with a sporting orientation. One sales point in its favour was that it was a four-seater convertible, though the two rear seats were fairly cramped.
The 2600 Sprint made more of an impression. It was a large grand touring coupe which could seat four adults in comfort over long journeys at high speeds. As such, it did not suffer unfair comparisons to other models in the Alfa Romeo range, none of which could directly compare to it. In that mode of operation, oriented more towards fast touring than sporting driving, the agility and handling balance of the smaller Alfas mattered less, while the stability and smoother ride of the larger car, and the wide power and torque band of the six-cylinder engine, came into their own. Added to the greater space and comfort, those virtues made a convincing case for the 2600 Sprint. The car also inherited the sharp, modern styling of its predecessor, the 2000 Sprint, and that certainly contributed to its being the top seller in the 2600 range. That shape had been the result of Giorgetto Giugiaro's first major project as head designer for Carrozeria Bertone, and is arguably one of the most influential designs in the history of automotive styling.
A certain number of 2600 Sprint were purchased by the Italian government and specially equipped and modified to be used as Police and Carabinieri patrol cars, respectively nicknamed "Pantera" (panther) and "Gazzella" (gazelle), from the emblems of their rapid intervention teams. The cars were very suitable for high-speed pursuits to counter the increase in armed robberies by motorized gangs in 1960s Italy, and appeared in quite a few genre movies of the time.

Alfa Romeo 2600 engine
The 2600 range was replaced at the top of the Alfa range by the 1750 models in 1968. The 1750s were refined versions of the 1600 cc Giulia range which continued in production, so once more the Alfa Romeo flagship was a derivative product created by upgrading the motor of an existing range and carrying out a minor restyling. All similarity with the 2600 ends there though; the 1750s, and the 2000s which evolved from them, were a great success for Alfa Romeo from every point of view, especially sales.
Today, as classics, the 2600 Sprint and Spider are appreciated for the tasteful and opulent styling of both the bodywork and the interior, for the performance, technology and sound of the six-cylinder twin-cam engine, and — perhaps ironically — for their rarity compared to the more successful Alfa Romeo models of the same era. The fact that the cars are rare, and their parts are either dedicated to the 2600 range, or derive from even earlier Alfas, means that owners need to dedicate a lot of effort and resources to restoration and maintenance. Very few 2600 Berlinas have found dedicated owners in the decades since the model was discontinued, therefore very few have survived. 2600 SZ's are very rare (only 105 cars have been produced) and they are the most valuable model in the range. The 2600 OSI De Luxe has always been extremely rare but there are no signs of it having become particularly desirable as a collector's item.

Engines

ModelDisplacementFuel systemCompression ratioPowerTop speed
Berlina2,584 ccDouble Solex8,5:1130 bhp (97 kW)175 km/h (109 mph)
Sprint,Spider,OSI Berlina De Luxe2,584 ccTriple Solex9,0:1145 bhp (108 kW)200 km/h (120 mph)
Sprint Zagato2,584 ccTriple Solex9,0:1165 bhp (123 kW)215 km/h (134 mph)