Alfa Romeo Disco Volante
Encyclopedia
The Alfa Romeo Disco Volante (Flying Saucer) known also as 1900 C52, is a concept car
series with production starting from 1952. The cars were racing car concepts with mechanics from the Alfa Romeo 1900
and made in collaboration with Milan based coachbuilder Touring
. The engine was a slightly tuned 1900 engine (1997 cc) now producing 158 bhp. The car was very streamlined, windtunnel tested, and the body was built on a tubular space frame. This aerodynamic shape made a top speed of 220 kilometres per hour (136.7 mph) possible.
Three different body styles were made: one open seater and two different coupé styles. There was even a 3.5 L version made for Juan Manuel Fangio
. None of these automobiles ever attained to the status of truly successful racing cars although they were tried a few times, with one victory having been taken at the Gran Premio Supercortemaggiore. According to some the design of the Jaguar E-type
has some design cues similar to the Disco Volante.
The unique 3.5-liter car is preserved in Biscaretti museum in Turin
; two 2.0-liter prototypes are preserved in the Alfa Romeo museum in Arese
and are regularly used in classic car races. Estimated cost of each is between 1 and 2 million Euro
.
A bronze sculpture inspired by the Disco Volante was revealed in the Fiera Milano for the 100 Years of Alfa Romeo in Summer 2010.
Concept car
A concept vehicle or show vehicle is a car made to showcase new styling and or new technology. They are often shown at motor shows to gauge customer reaction to new and radical designs which may or may not have a chance of being produced....
series with production starting from 1952. The cars were racing car concepts with mechanics from the Alfa Romeo 1900
Alfa Romeo 1900
The Alfa Romeo 1900 is a sports sedan designed by Orazio Satta for the Alfa Romeo company in 1950. It was Alfa Romeo's first car built entirely on a production line and was also Alfa's first production car without separate chassis and first Alfa offered with left-hand drive...
and made in collaboration with Milan based coachbuilder Touring
Carrozzeria Touring
Carrozzeria Touring is an automobile coachbuilder established on March 25, 1926 in Milan, Italy by Felice Bianchi Anderloni and Gaetano Ponzoni...
. The engine was a slightly tuned 1900 engine (1997 cc) now producing 158 bhp. The car was very streamlined, windtunnel tested, and the body was built on a tubular space frame. This aerodynamic shape made a top speed of 220 kilometres per hour (136.7 mph) possible.
Three different body styles were made: one open seater and two different coupé styles. There was even a 3.5 L version made for Juan Manuel Fangio
Juan Manuel Fangio
Juan Manuel Fangio , nicknamed El Chueco or El Maestro , was a racing car driver from Argentina, who dominated the first decade of Formula One racing...
. None of these automobiles ever attained to the status of truly successful racing cars although they were tried a few times, with one victory having been taken at the Gran Premio Supercortemaggiore. According to some the design of the Jaguar E-type
Jaguar E-type
The Jaguar E-Type or XK-E is a British automobile, manufactured by Jaguar between 1961 and 1975. Its combination of good looks, high performance, and competitive pricing established the marque as an icon of 1960s motoring...
has some design cues similar to the Disco Volante.
The unique 3.5-liter car is preserved in Biscaretti museum in Turin
Turin
Turin is a city and major business and cultural centre in northern Italy, capital of the Piedmont region, located mainly on the left bank of the Po River and surrounded by the Alpine arch. The population of the city proper is 909,193 while the population of the urban area is estimated by Eurostat...
; two 2.0-liter prototypes are preserved in the Alfa Romeo museum in Arese
Arese
Arese is a comune in the Province of Milan in the Italian region Lombardy, located about northwest of Milan. As of 31 December 2004, it had a population of 19,333 and an area of ....
and are regularly used in classic car races. Estimated cost of each is between 1 and 2 million Euro
Euro
The euro is the official currency of the eurozone: 17 of the 27 member states of the European Union. It is also the currency used by the Institutions of the European Union. The eurozone consists of Austria, Belgium, Cyprus, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg,...
.
A bronze sculpture inspired by the Disco Volante was revealed in the Fiera Milano for the 100 Years of Alfa Romeo in Summer 2010.