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17/04/2022 12:19 pm
The Alfa Romeo Tipo 512 was a proposed response to the all-conquering Mercedes and Auto Union grand prix cars of the late 1930s. Similar to the Auto Unions, the design by Wilfredo Ricart put the driver ahead of a mid-mounted engine, with the fuel tank in between. Planning for a 1.5-liter formula, the engine was a flat-12 (180-deg.) design connected to a 5-speed gearbox. The chassis was a steel structure with aluminum bodywork, fitted with hydraulic drum brakes.
The first car was completed in Sptember 1940, after war had already broken out. Track testing continued into 1941 but by then all racing activities had ceased. The first car and components for a second were hidden, but after the war Alfa Romeo continued racing the Tipo 158 and later 159. So the 512 was forever unraced, a stillborn might-have-been. Both chassis are preserved in Italian museums. (I hope Karl got one of these).
BTW, this is my first model post in almost two weeks, though I have been able to respond to others now and then. Family care intervened but I hope we are getting back to normal now.
17/04/2022 9:26 pm
Yes, I did get one of these; the box arrived last night and I have not opened the shrink-wrap yet! I was just now looking at two of my reference books which state that two were constructed before the war. In any case, the Alfetta (158) was so successful at the last race before WW-II (Tripoli Grand Prix) that the one or two 512's were not developed further post war. The Alfetta was reported to be faster and had none of the poor handling characteristics of the 512 (1500 cc and 12 cylinders). As the Germans approached northern Italy, the Alfa Corse race team (158s and 512s and gear) were hidden away in a cheese factory in the village of Melzo, Italy. The Alfettas were brought back out and helped Alfa win the World Championships in 1950 and '51.
As Harvey wrote, note the placement of the fuel tank!
(David Styles, 1989)
Here is one of them at the Museo Alfa Romeo in 2018.
