The First Car

The newly formed company wanted to develop a completely new, original model. To do that, A.L.F.A hired Giuseppe Merosi, a top-class engineer, who specialized in racing engines and worked for some of the most advanced companies at the time, including Edoardo Bianchi. Under Merosi’s leadership, the company developed the 24 HP, which today could be described as a sports sedan. The vehicle offered a 4.1-liter engine that delivered 42 hp and reached a maximum speed of 62 mph (100 kph), which at the time was a considerable speed. During the first year a total of 50 units were sold and the vehicle was enrolled in the 1911 Targa Florio competition, where it led for most of the race until an off-road excursion ended its day. At this time endurance races were the venue in which performance and reliability of new vehicles were tested.

Giuseppe Merosi driving the 24 HP model.