ALFA 20/30 HP

ALFA or later Alfa Romeo has made three cars named as 20/30 HP, first one 1910 4-cylinder 4-6-seater tourer, improved version 20/30 HP E in 1914 and 1921 the 20/30 HP ES Sport, a 4-seater sportscar.[1]

Alfa Romeo 20/30 HP
Alfa Romeo 20/30 HP ES
Overview
ManufacturerAlfa Romeo
Production1914 - 1922
AssemblyPortello, Milan, Italy
DesignerGiuseppe Merosi
Body and chassis
Body styleBerlina
Torpedo
LayoutFR layout
Powertrain
Engine4.1 L I4 sidevalve 4084 cc
4.2 L I4 sidevalve 4250 cc

The Alfa 20/30 HP
Giulio Ramponi in an A.L.F.A 24 series E in 1920

The ALFA 20/30 HP was almost identical to the 24 HP of 1910 and could be called HP 24 Series E. The engine was same as used in 24 HP but now the camshaft had a side chain, to reduce noise. The maximum power was increased to 49 bhp at 2400 rpm and the top speed was 115 kilometres per hour (71 mph). The vehicle was available in two body variants: berlina and torpedo.

At the outbreak of World War I, August 3, 1914, Italy declared itself neutral and ALFA plants had not been directly affected by war or by manufacturing related to the war effort. Production between 1914 and 1915 was 285 finished 20/30 HP models. In 1915, production was 95 frames for 20/30 HP, but they were only completed in 1920.

Alfa Romeo 20/30 ES Sport
Antonio Ascari in his Alfa Romeo 20-30 ES at the 1922 Targa Florio

Alfa Romeo Torpedo 20/30 HP is the first Alfa Romeo named car after ALFA brand. 20/30 HP had 4250 cc sidevalve straight-4 engine and it produced 67 bhp. The car was meant for the upper classes so the price was high, around three times more than Ford Model T, which was a lot of money immediately after World War I.

ES Sport was based on the 1914 20/30 E model. The "S" was added to emphasize the sportiness of the car. This car had electric lights and starter. The chassis was shortened from previous E model. Enzo Ferrari began his racing career in a 20/30 ES, with teammates Antonio Ascari and Ugo Sivocci.

Price was one of the reasons that only 124 cars were produced.

  • Engine: 4 cylinders inline
  • Displacement: 4250 cc
  • Power: 67 bhp at 2600 rpm
  • Top speed: 130 km/h (81 mph)

Notes
  1. "All production, prototype & project Alfa Romeos from 1910 - 1971". barchetta.cc. Archived from the original on 22 December 2010. Retrieved 2010-11-15.

References

Borgeson, Griffith (1990). The Alfa Romeo Tradition. City: Haynes (Foulis) Publishing Group Ltd. Somerset, UK. ISBN 0-85429-875-4.


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