Designed by Gioacchino Colombo, the 1900 C52 “Disco Volante” was meant to have a future in production as well, albeit as part of a small series encouraged by Max Hoffman, Alfa Romeo importer in the United States.
There’s not much left of the 1900 Sprint series model: the suspensions are similar, but they are bolted on a tubular Trellis chassis; the 1997 cc double shaft is completely redesigned with a cylinder block and head in light alloy, twin-shaft distribution, and single power supply. The power shoots up to 158 hp for a maximum speed of 220 km/h.
The “Disco Volante” bodywork, made by Touring, is a separate chapter. It combines aerodynamic research with the mostly-American trends that were increasingly taking inspiration from the world of air.
The year after the Spider was presented at the New York Motor Show, came the development of a new “narrow hipped” bodywork, which was to take part in some Sport races, and of the prototype “Disco Volante Coupé” with a closed body.
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Engine |
Front, vertical longitudinal, 4 in-line cylinders, cylinder block and head in light alloy, 2 overhead camshafts with chain and gear control, 2 valves per cylinder |
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Cylinder capacity |
cc 1997,4 (mm 85x88) |
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Maximum power |
158 hp at 6500 rpm |
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Weight |
kg 735 |
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Maximum speed |
Km/h 220-225 |
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Vehicles produced |
3 (2 spider + 1 coupé) |
Touring
Touring was founded in Milan in 1926 and rose from the ashes of Vittorio Ascari’s Falco, not far from the Portello area. Vittorio was the brother of the great Antonio, by then in business with Felice Bianchi Anderloni and Gaetano Ponzoni. The struggle against weight lead Touring to acquire the Weymann patent, the fight against wind made it one of the most active companies in aerodynamic research. The result was the Superleggera (“super light”) patent: steel pipes instead of the wooden rib structure, thin aluminum instead of pegamoid and a style that would leave its mark on an era and revolutionize the rules of coachbuilding, as well as prevail in both races and elegance contests. Touring worked hand in hand with Alfa Romeo until the 1960s, producing one masterpiece after another. From the 6C 1750s to the immortal 8C 2900s, from the Villa d’Este to the 2600 Spider.
