The 158 began with 195 hp at 7200 rpm in 1939 and by 1951, now called the 159, was developing over 400 bp at almost 10,000 rpm from only 1500cc. Called the Alfetta, or little Alfa, this famous name would be resurrected in the 1970s. (S/N 159112)

Racing is a heavy load on any automobile manufacturer and Alfa Romeo was no exception. The company had been bought by the state owned IRL in the 1930s. In the early 1950s, the company would concentrate on mass-manufactured mid-size cars with four-cylinder engines, DOHC of course. But the spirit and passion would remain, as would the sporty driving characteristics of their street cars. Racing too, would still be a part of Alfa Romeo.

One of the most attractive of the 1900 variants was this 1957 Touring bodied coupe. The iron block 1900 and later 2000s were outsold by the popular and less costly Giulietta series. (S/N 10092)

The 1900 was the first post-war car per se and the first mass built four-cylinder model by Alfa Romeo. Their four-cylinder engines are still alive and well today and the roots lie here. The 1600cc Giulia and the smaller 1300cc Giulietta models have been very successful around the world.

Among them, one cannot forget the Giulia Ti Super. (On display was S/N 595348.) At first glance it is a boxy, square looking four-door sedan, altogether unpretentious. But the Italians, with their love of racing cars and that unique flair for passion, would not allow a car to be just a car.

Making it's debut in 1963 a time when Italy was still enjoying its post war boom, the Ti Super was the high performance version of the Giulia Ti. It was almost 200lbs lighter with a five-speed gearbox now on the floor. The 1570cc DOHC engine was tuned to 113hp at 6500rpm. The single headlight treatment told you it was the Ti Super and if it had the four-leaf clover on its side, it was meant for racing. The Giulia Ti Super was and is a favorite with enthusiasts over the world, even the Italian police used the car for their official duties at the time, but so did the Mafia...