Alfa Romeo celebrates its 111th birthday on June 24, 2021. On this day in 1910, the Anonima Lombarda Fabbrica Automobili (A.L.F.A.) was founded in Milan, which would eventually become Alfa Romeo after being taken over by engineer and entrepreneur Nicola Romeo in 1918.
The brand has played an important role in the history of the automobile and has gathered a large number of enthusiasts around it. On the occasion of its birthday, Alfa Romeo is giving these fans the opportunity to get together and express their passion for the brand with the snake in its coat of arms, known as Biscione in Italian. The celebration on the grounds of the Alfa Romeo Museum in the Milan suburb of Arese will last four days (June 24 to 27, 2021).
Alfarot
The event begins on Thursday (June 24) with a parade on the museum's own racetrack, in which all private owners of an Alfa Romeo, regardless of model or year, can take part. The theme of the entire birthday celebration is a tribute to the color red. This color has been an unmistakable sign of Alfa Romeo vehicles from the very beginning and eventually became an integral part of the brand's DNA. Visitors to the birthday party are invited to wear red clothing. The mouth-nose masks, which are handed out free of charge at the entrance to the museum and ensure that the event is held safely, are also red.
A legend with strong roots
Alfa Romeo has always been synonymous with research into new materials and the use of experience gained in the aeronautical sector, but also with race-ready vehicles, including the pre-war Alfa Romeo 8C 2300 Monzaor the legendary touring cars of the 1950s and 60s such as the Alfa Romeo Giulietta Sprint Veloce and Alfa Romeo Giulia Sprint GTA, for which the letter "A" quite rightly stood for "Alleggerita" (alleviated). The range extends from the Alfa Romeo 75 Turbo Evoluzione of the 1980s to the current Alfa Romeo Giulia GTA and GTAm models.
Parade for clubs and fans
Parades of Alfa Romeo vehicles take place several times a day on the racetrack on the museum grounds, some exclusively for brand clubs, others for everyone. Reservations are required for participation, by e-mail to [email protected].
From production cars to racing cars - Alfa Romeo also competes in Formula 1
For Formula 1 fans, the museum will be offering live broadcasts of the Styrian Grand Prix with practice, qualifying and the race on a large screen throughout the weekend. A presentation model of the Alfa Romeo Racing ORLEN, Alfa Romeo's Formula 1 car, will also be on display throughout the birthday celebrations. An exclusive group of visitors will also experience a live link-up with drivers Kimi Räikkönen and Antonio Giovinazzi in Spielberg on Friday (June 25). In addition, the team's pit facilities and the paddock at the racetrack in Austria will be presented in a virtual tour.
From the glorious past to the present
On Saturday (26 June) and Sunday (27 June), the program will include two presentations on the history of Alfa Romeo. The first presentation will focus on the victory of an A.L.F.A. in a regularity race in Modena exactly 110 years ago. The second presentation will focus on the 4C concept car, the prototype designed by the Centro Stile Alfa Romeo in 2011 for the sports coupé that was later actually built in series. Afterwards, owners of an Alfa Romeo 4C can take a few laps around the museum's racetrack themselves.
The "Sea Horses" exhibition deals with a lesser-known chapter of Alfa Romeo's history. It provides information about the marine use of Alfa Romeo engines, from racing boats to cargo ships and fishing boats.
Every day between 10 a.m. and 6 p.m., the museum's regular opening hours, visitors can also take a special look behind the scenes of the museum. Guided tours for a limited number of people present areas of the museum that are not normally open to the public: two complete floors of stored vehicles, engines, trophies, chassis and other memorabilia from the history of Alfa Romeo.
Activities for groups and families
Throughout the weekend, there will also be special activities for groups and families, from creative workshops for children to a "treasure hunt". The full program for the celebration of Alfa Romeo's 111th birthday can be found on the museum's website. Visiting the events is only possible by prior reservation at [email protected].
