At the inaugural Formula 1 race at the Silverstone Grand Prix in 1950, Alfa Romeo won. After 70 laps in his supercharged 158, Giuseppe Farina arrived at the checkered flag first. He was followed 2-and-a-half seconds later by Luigi Fagioli, who was driving another 158. Reg Parnell took third. He, too, was at the wheel of a 158. The next competitor was two laps behind.
Alfa Romeo’s 1-2-3 finish 60 years ago was an indication of the rest of the season: Its 158 — the “15″ for its 1500-cc displacement, the “8″ for its cylinder count — won every race in which it competed. In its combined Grand Prix history, the 158 and its 159 derivative took 47 wins from 54 races entered.
This year also happens to be Alfa Romeo’s centennial anniversary. As part of the celebration, the Italian automaker has photographed one of the 158s from the British Grand Prix together with the MiTo, which also wears Alfa Romeo’s iconic Cloverleaf badge. The photograph is part of the automaker’s commemorative mosaic digital art project (www.alfacentenary.co.uk) that features images of the historic and present.
To see the racecar today, visit the Goodwood Festival of Speed in the U.K. this July. Alfa Romeo is the featured brand, and will have a host of its past machines on display, including the 159.
Source: Alfa Romeo
