One of the undisputed highlights of the upcoming Retro Classics show (12 – 14 March) is, without a doubt, the special displays in the Motor Sports Hall 4. One of these will be dedicated to Alfa Romeo, the Italian brand which celebrates its Centenary in 2010. There will be approximately 50 stunning models from the extraordinary private collection of Corrado Lopresto on display, as well as valuable cars from the Alfa-Romeo Museum in Arese, north-west of Milan.

“What is special about Alfa Romeo is that it is the Italian racing car manufacturer par excellence, a very exclusive brand”, explains Björn Schmidt, curator of the exhibition. “Looking back over the years, one can see that quality cars were built by Alfa Romeo even before the war. Cars with which world championships and, of course, the European Touring Car Championship, have been won.”

The history of Alfa Romeo began in 1906 in Portello, north-west of Milan, the location of French car manufacturer Alexandre Darracq’s modern car manufacturing plant. When Darracq failed to achieve success in the Italian market, the plant was taken over by those with an interest in the business, and continued under the name Società Anonima Lombarda Fabricia Automobili (A.L.F.A.). It was here, in 1910, that the first “A.L.F.A.” was built.
Alfa Romeo first began to prosper between the world wars. In 1925, Count Brilli Peri won the first world championship behind the wheel of the 140-horsepower P2. Following this, the plant produced successful six- and eight-cylinder models for both the road and race track. According to curator Schmidt, the “absolute highlight” of the special show in Stuttgart is a Typo B, also known as “P3”, designed by Vittorio Jano in 1932.

After the war, the development of motoring for the masses made the change to series production inevitable. In 1950, the four- cylinder Alfa Romeo 1900 was presented, a small sensation in the medium-sized segment. With the 1.3-litre Giulietta, affectionately known as “Julchen”, Alfa presented the racing car for the “little guy” at the 1954 Turin Salon.

The breakthrough on the export markets was finally achieved with the legendary Giulia model, produced between 1962 and 1978. “With the Giulia, Alfa had created the sporty limousine”, explains Björn Schmidt. “This car was streets ahead of the competition, such as BMW, for example.” These were the great days of racing for the Italian brand. At Retro Classics, the Alfa Romeo Giulia Sprint GTA, which won the European Touring Car Championship 1967, will be on display.

For the 100th anniversary of the brand, the manufacturer, who since 1986 has been part of the Fiat group, will reconnect once again with the great history of the brand. A few days ago the new Alfa Romeo Guiletta was officially unveiled at the Geneva Salon. “The focus on tradition is a success”, explains Björn Schmidt. “In terms of technology, the modern cars hardly differ from each other today and it increasingly comes down to the brand and the image”. The design of the “Julchen 2010” thus features many similarities to other current Alfa designs. However, the new Giulietta, from a technical point of view, is a completely new vehicle.

Retro Classics, the international classic car trade fair, will be taking place for the tenth time from Friday, 12 March to Sunday, 14 March 2010 in Stuttgart. More than 57,000 visitors streamed into the new trade fair centre in 2009 to get a closer look at the impressive classic cars on display. On Thursday, 11 March 2010, there will be a special preview day for exhibitors, journalists and preview ticket holders between 2.00pm and 8.00pm.

Images - Peter Singhof ... www.ClassicCarPhotography.de