Alfa Romeo Tipo 512

The Alfa Romeo Tipo 512 was intended for replacement for Alfa Romeo 158 Voiturette racing car. Designed by Wifredo Ricart as his second car for Alfa Romeo after V16-engined Alfa Romeo Tipo 162. The car was first mid-engined Alfa Romeo model. This racing car has flat 12 engine (technically speaking it is 180 degree V12) using mid-engine layout. With two Roots type superchargers, the engine could produce up to 225 bhp (168 kW) per litre. The engine had very short stroke compared to other Grands Prix cars at that time, only 54.2 millimetres (2.13 in) (bore 54mm). The potential of this machine is not so clear, since it is a prototype. The power of the engine measured at the bench was of 335 bhp (250 kW) at 8600 rpm. In the Alfa Romeo museum in Arese, alongside the 512 exposed is the following data:the maximum power (estimated) 500 hp (373 kW) at 11,000 rpm and maximum speed over 350 km/h (217 mph).

Alfa Romeo Tipo 512
CategoryVoiturette
ConstructorAlfa Romeo
Designer(s)Wifredo Ricart / Gioacchino Colombo[1]
Technical specifications[2]
ChassisSingle-seater, tubular frame
Suspension (front)wishbones, longitudinal torsion bar, friction dampers, hydraulic shock absorbers
Suspension (rear)De-Dion-axle, longitudinal torsion bar, friction dampers, telescopic shock absorbers
Axle trackFront:1,320 mm (52.0 in)
Rear:1,310 mm (51.6 in)
Wheelbase2,450 mm (96.5 in)
Engine1489 cc V12 180° Roots-type supercharger**, Mid, longitudinally mounted
** – 335 bhp (250 kW) @ 8600 rpm
Transmission5-speed manual.
Weight710 kg (1,570 lb)[2]
Competition history

The car development was finished in 1940 and stopped during World War II, another chassis was built also but this car never raced.

The Tipo 512 was first tested on September 12, 1940, by Alfa Romeo chief test driver Consalvo Sanesi, despite being very powerful its handling was not good enough.[3] June 19, 1940 Alfa Romeo's test driver Attilio Marinoni was killed while testing 512 suspension fitted to an Alfetta 158.[4]

Alfa Romeo won the Formula 1 World Championship with the Alfetta 158 in 1950, taking the place for which 512 was originally designed.

Only 2 prototypes were created. Both are currently on display at the Alfa Romeo Historical Museum in Arese, Italy. [5]

References
  1. "ALFA ROMEO". kolumbus.fi/leif.snellman. Archived from the original on 7 October 2008. Retrieved 2008-09-20.
  2. "Alfa Romeo 512". ultimatecarpage.com. Retrieved 2008-09-20.
  3. Borgeson, Griffith (2002). The Alfa Romeo Tradition. Somerset, England: Haynes Publishing Group. 0-85429-875-4.
  4. "The rear-engined revolution". forix.autosport.com. Archived from the original on 28 October 2008. Retrieved 2008-09-21.
  5. "Automobile da corsa - Alfa Romeo Gran Premio 512". museoscienza.org (in Italian). Retrieved 14 October 2012.
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