Alfa Meets Romeo

By 1913, the company was producing 200 cars, and the A.L.F.A 24 HP was establishing a reputation of performance, technology and quality. By 1915 the company had 2,500 employees and produced different series of the 24HP, 15 HP and 40/60 HP. However, at the onset of World War I, the banks that owned the company’s debt entrusted it a young entrepreneur from Naples named Nicola Romeo.

Nicola Romeo (1876-1938) –at center– was an Italian engineer and entrepreneur.

During World War I the company produced military equipment. The Portello plant was expanded and converted to war production. The plant made engine compressors, ammunition and aircraft engines. Only in 1919, after the war had ended, did car production resume, initially with the assembly of parts in stock, then with the design of new models. It was the beginning of a new era. The Company’s name was officially changed to Alfa Romeo and the logo was updated accordingly. The lettering was also modified to make it more linear.

The first Alfa Romeo logo.