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A blue Alfa Romeo 33 Stradale parked on pale stone paving.

Alfa Romeo

Founded in Milan as A.L.F.A. in 1910, the marque took the name Alfa Romeo after Nicola Romeo acquired the company. Its story runs from the Portello plant and the 24 HP to the Biscione emblem, the Quadrifoglio in racing and a historical museum organised around time, design and competition.

From A.L.F.A. to Alfa Romeo

A.L.F.A., short for Anonima Lombarda Fabbrica Automobili, was founded in Milan on 24 June 1910. Entrepreneur Nicola Romeo later acquired the company, and the name Alfa Romeo brought his surname together with the original initials.1

The 24 HP and the Portello plant

The Portello plant in Milan had produced Darracq cars before A.L.F.A. was founded. Ugo Stella took over the factory and asked Giuseppe Merosi to design new cars in the 12 HP and 24 HP ranges. The 24 HP became A.L.F.A.’s first model, linking the new company to the existing Portello works.1,2

A badge shaped by Milan

Alfa Romeo credits the idea for its logo to illustrator Romano Cattaneo, who drew inspiration from the Visconti Biscione on the Castello Sforzesco and Milan’s red cross on a white field. Together, the snake and cross turned the city’s symbols into a mark for the carmaker.1

The essentials

Founded
1910, Turin
Headquarters
Turin, Italy
Official site
alfaromeo.com
Sources and citations (7)
  1. Alfa Romeo History | The Logo and The Myth
  2. “Storie Alfa Romeo” Episode one: driving on-board the 24 HP, from the origins to the first international victories (1906–1925)
  3. F1 2018: Quadrifoglio is back
  4. GP Tipo P2 (1925)
  5. Museum Reborns: Storia e Fondatori
  6. Timeline
  7. Alfa Romeo Giulia unveiled

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