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Alfa Romeo G1. A century for this model that found its market in Australia

Although we know it today as Alfa Romeo, this was not the case until its acquisition in 1918 by Nicola Romeo, who put his last name behind the historic Alfa name. Thus a new era opened after the First World War in which the G1 was to be the reference model. Disgraced in Italy by the taxes calculated on the basis of the displacement, the 50 series units ended up in Australia. Today there is only one, and it could also be the oldest known Alfa Romeo.

Although Alfa Romeo has become a national symbol in Italy, the truth is that it was not always easy in his country. In that sense, some debated beginnings between high-end and racing vehicles did not help the financial consolidation of the brand either. Thus, since Alfa was born in 1910 (Anonima Lombarda Fabbrica Automobili) their accounts have been debated between settlements, deals with the bank, state controls and a constant state of alert in the accounting team. However, already from its first model -the 24 HP- Alfa's creations were gaining fame.

All this under the technical direction of Giuseppe Merosi, who managed to increase sales from 80 units in 1911 to 272 in 1914. A race stopped in its tracks with the start of the First World War, which put Alfa in its first situation financial danger. With the internal market collapsed and the external closed, the state forced the conversion of the automotive sector to a war industry. A challenge in which Alfa did not know how to move despite having had certain flurries with airplane engines from its first days. Both own and manufactured under license.

Under this situation, Alfa came under the protection and direction of the Banca Italiana di Sconto. A key fact, since he ended up displacing Giuseppe Merosi from the technical leadership to raise the engineer Nicola Romeo. Experienced in mining machinery design and with relationships in the military, Romeo did know how to adapt the brand to times of war, even manufacturing flamethrowers. Occupation that he fortunately put aside in peacetime after taking formal control of the company on February 3, 1918.

Day on which the birth of Alfa Romeo is produced by notarial deed. The denomination that has remained for history, and under which the challenges of peacetime were undertaken following the sporting trail set by Merosi. Proof of this is the Alfa Romeo G1.

ALFA-ROMEO G1. STILL UNDER THE DESIGN OF GIUSEPPE MEROSI

During the First World War Alfa not only had to live the rigors of the war, but also the struggle of egos between Giuseppe Merosi and Nicola Romeo. While the first came from designing some of the most refined sports cars of the moment, the second had a sample of industrial machinery. Thus, Merosi's pride did not willingly accept orders from Romeo although, after all, his election by the management bank had saved Alfa from a closure more than possible.

A train crash that led to the temporary departure from Merosi. Who returned to the Portello factory shortly after promising to focus solely on design issues. Thus, with well-established hierarchies, Alfa completed its transition to Alfa Romeo launching in 1920 the second series of the 15-20 HP and the 20-30 HP. First model under the new name, which mounted an inline four cylinder capable of delivering 49CV. Perfect as an intermediate product below the spectacular Isotta Frachini but superior to the FIAT 501 and 502.

However, when it comes to the top of the range Alfa Romeo It needed a replacement for the 40/60 of 1914. A reference vehicle in the races of the decade, arriving in the most powerful units of the Corsa version up to 83CV at 2400 rpm. Needed to surpass or at least match it, Merosi began work on the design of a six-cylinder engine that would be the heart of the new Alfa Romeo G1.. The model in charge of winning new trophies for the brand. Something that, however, did not turn out the way it was expected.

A SYMBOL OF ITALY PACKAGED TO AUSTRALIA

Despite the fact that the Alfa Romeo G1 was born with the vocation of being a symbol of the new times in the house of Milan, It did not find a niche in the national market due to its high tax rate calculated on the basis of cylinder capacity.. Characteristic that married badly with the shortages of postwar Italy. Where the G6's imposing 3-liter six-cylinder engine found no standing among even the wealthiest of customer-drivers. Thus, the fifty units of the G1 - in Torpedo, Limousine and Spider Corsa versions - were sent to the Australian market, leaving only two prototypes in Italy.

Situation that prevented the G1 from developing track records, unable to show off its 70CV and 138 km / h of top speed in races such as the Targa-Florio. In fact, the history of the only surviving chassis (# 6018) has been more focused on farms than circuits. And it is that, after the bankruptcy of its first owner due to the Crisis of 1929, this Alfa Romeo G1 was hidden in the bushes of a farm to avoid its embargo. Shelter where he stayed for more than 25 years. Lost after owner's death until found by ranch workers.

Unaware of what they were dealing with, they used the Alfa Romeo G1 as a car to herd cattle. A bump-by-bump use that led to the rear axle breaking, from there using its engine to pump water from wells. Something Merosi didn't design it for. But it did great thanks to the strong torque of 293Nm handled by this six-cylinder at low revs.. Thus, far from Milan and its destination in competitions, this Alfa Romeo G1 survived until in 1964 some local fans found it. At which point a series of restorations began, thanks to which it now looks like one of the most interesting collector cars in history.

Photographs: RM Sotheby's

P.D. When we have said "one of the most interesting collector cars in history" we have not said it just. And it is that, for all those fetishists of motor genealogies, this Alfa Romeo G1 from 1921 happens to be, possibly, the oldest preserved with this name. Something that even the experts of RM Sotheby's. Company that last auctioned it in 2018 in Phoenix, Arizona.

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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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