Exotic of the Week Alfa Romeo "Disco Volante"

Alfa Romeo 1900 "Disco Volante" C52

"Disco Volante" Spyder

In 1951 Alfa Romeo de-funded their racing department, re-purposing the department to research and development. Their first project was a concept series based on Alfa's 1900 chassis. Alfa's new R&D department teamed up with the Milanese coachbuilder Touring in a concept series known as the Disco Volante or "flying saucer." The Disco Volante was given the factory designation of C52 and represented an advanced study into aerodynamics.

Though the C52 was based off of Alfa's 1900 platform, the only similarity between the stock 1900 chassis and the C52 was the front dual wishbone suspension and the live rear axle. The C52's frame was comprised of a state of the art tube chassis which increased rigidity and overall response. The C52 shed the stock 1900 cast iron block for a slightly bored cast aluminum block. The new unit with the 2.0L bore was fed by twin Choke Weber carbs and produced 158 hp.

"Disco Volante" Coupe

Meanwhile Touring worked on producing aerodynamic bodywork to lighten and help the newly developed chassis cut drag. Touring threw out the standard approach. Instead of focusing on the front end of the body to cut drag, Touring expanded their focus to the encompass the relationship of every design feature. During the early 50's wind tunnel's were becoming a valuable tool in coach building. Touring rounded the sides of the cars in an effort to reduce sidewinds and a smoothed paneling under the car, enabling wind to pass smoothly under the car. What they didn't learn in wind tunnel was that the rounded edges on either sides of the cockpit inducted wind and produced lift at high speeds. Even in view of this issue, the C52 achieved a high speed of 137 MPH pushing through dangerous lift.

"Disco Volante" Spyder

After successful testing at Monza, the C52 was entered to compete at Le Mans to be piloted by none other than "The Maestro" Juan Manuel Fangio and his co-drivers Froilan Gonzales and Franco Cortese. for reasons still unknown, Alfa pulled a no show and the Disco Volante was never raced. Two more spaceframe C52's were produced; a coupe and another spider. Due to the wide body styling of the original spyder, the second spyder was produced with "narrowed hips" to allow competition in hillclimbs. None of the three original C52 spaceframe cars were ever entered into competition.

In 1953 Alfa Romeo produced 6 cylinder cars with similar bodies to the DV's and are considered by some to be true C52's, however with their 6 cylinders and ladder frames, purists do not believe the two should be affiliated. The development of the Disco Volante spaceframe chassis would lead to the development of both the mk1 and mk2 Alfa Romeo Tubolare Zagato, bringing further recognition to Alfa Romeo's development department and adding to the pedigree of the brand.

Both the original spyder and the coupe are on display at the Alfa Romeo Museo Storica based in Artese, Italy. 

Scott Madsen
- Zagato's Ghost