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Alfa Disco Volante: A work of art

PHOTOGRAPHS ALFA ROMEO DISCO VOLANTE 2012: TOURING SUPERLEGGERA / O'KANE LAVERS

The history of Alfa Romeo is that of a massive brand that, however, has never given up on making short-run quirks. And well, it's good that it was like that, because this represents a fundamental part of their identity. Always jumping from myth to bankruptcy It is as if this history of passions and alterations has soaked all his models. Models that have been involved in deep debates about reliability, but at the same time represent the pinnacle of Italian sportiness and style.

Because yes, it should never be forgotten that Ferrari herself sinks its roots in Alfa Romeo's own history. But the matter does not stop there, since examining the genealogy of the Biscione brand one comes across such revolutionary models as the 1952 Alfa Romeo Disco Volante. Equipped with a body with futuristic lines in which certain spatial illusions were guessed, this model of which only four units remain remains one of the milestones of the Touring bodybuilder.

Responsible for unrepeatable designs On the chassis of Aston Martin, Alfa Romeo, Ferrari and even Pegaso, the Milanese coachbuilder has spent years achieving most of his turnover thanks to buses. However, even though its automotive glory days seem to be over ... The truth is that "The one who had retained". For this reason, every so often he surprises us with a masterpiece like the Alfa Romeo Disco Volante from 2012. Produced in a very limited series, the occasional unit is only seen in elegance contests such as Peeble beach o Villa D'Este. Now the British dealer O'Kane Lavers has one for sale.

ALFA ROMEO FLYING DISC FROM 1952. MUSEUM PIECE

If you need a sample to illustrate the “design exercise” concept, the Alfa Romeo Disco Volante is a perfect example. But beware, not only that of 2013, but also that of 1952. In fact, this is one of its main charms: being a tribute to the classic. A classic with very futuristic lines for the time, which exudes beauty and aerodynamic efficiency in equal measure. In addition, the curious thing is that the 1952 Flying Disc was also bodied by Touring Superleggera. Can there be a better way to close the loop?

Launched as a prototype, the original Flying Disc sculpted its shapes in the wind tunnel to dress clean shapes that, on a scale, only weigh just over 700 kilos. Some encouraging data, even more so if we combine it with a two-liter engine derived from the Alfa Romeo 1900 capable of producing 160CV. Unfortunately, he was never successful in racing. Even when two more units were launched, equipped with 3-liter engines. Both based on the 5C 6 CM frame but with Flying Disc style bodywork.

Photo: Sergio Calleja

Of the five units, four remain, after the dismantling of one of the 3-liter coupes. True museum pieces. Since, in fact, all are exhibited distributed between the Alfa Romeo Museum of Arese, the National de l'automobile in Mulhouse and the Nazionale dell'Automobile in Turin. And it is not for less, because when we talk about the Alfa Romeo Disco Volante without a doubt we are dealing with one of the best Italian designs in history. So good that 60 years later it had a wonderful reinterpretation.

2012. THE RETURN OF THE ALFA ROMEO DISCO VOLANTE

The history of the 2012 Flying Disc reminds us of that of the new Lancia Stratos. Why? Well because to make one of them you have to sacrifice a Ferrari F430 ... In the case of the Flying Disc the sacrifice of an Alfa Romeo 8C is required. And be careful, because of this wonderful tribute to the legendary Arese sports car, only about 500 copies were made. A complex decision, since if you want to enjoy the tribute designed by Touring Superleggera to the original model, you have to handcrafted an authentic collector's item.

Of course, the result is obvious. Since the design is possibly one of the most interesting among all those to come out of Italy in the last 30 years. For starters, the wide and frank shape of its hood opens up lines that end up in a cleanly resolved rear. A good aerodynamic study that hides the 8-liter Maserati V4 engine. Without a doubt, a magnificent sound and push finish to this work of art that, wherever you look at it, hides details with which you could entertain yourself for hours.

In fact, in Touring they declare that each Alfa Romeo Disco Volante takes them around 1.500 hours of work. Something that we believe, since its bodywork is made entirely by hand in a traditional way. Yes, hitting the hammer against the metal above the mold. A delightful way to celebrate the history of Alfa Romeo, of which dropper units have been produced. Therefore the surprising thing to see one for sale, even more so if it only marks less than 6.000 kilometers.

The price…

Well, in the face of such beauty it is not appropriate to ask questions in bad taste.

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Written by Miguel Sánchez

Through the news from La Escudería, we will travel the winding roads of Maranello listening to the roar of the Italian V12; We will travel Route66 in search of the power of the great American engines; we will get lost in the narrow English lanes tracking the elegance of their sports cars; We will speed up the braking in the curves of the Monte Carlo Rally and we will even get dusty in a garage while rescuing lost jewels.

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