Alfa Romeo 159 Alfetta
Alfa Romeo's final Alfetta evolution, a thirsty 1.5-litre supercharged racer that won Juan Manuel Fangio his first world title in 1951.
- Power
- 420 bhp
- Top speed
- 190 mph
About the Alfa Romeo 159 Alfetta
The 159 was the updated Alfetta prepared after the 1950 season, with a De Dion rear axle in place of the old swing axle and larger superchargers that took the 1.5-litre straight-eight to around 420 bhp. It could reach about 305 km/h, but burning a rich methanol mixture made it extremely thirsty, so it needed extra fuel tanks and refuelling stops. In 1951 it won four of the seven championship Grands Prix it entered, in Switzerland, Belgium, France and Spain, and Juan Manuel Fangio became world champion for the first time. A further-developed 159M appeared late in the season, and at the end of the year Alfa Romeo withdrew from Grand Prix racing after failing to secure government funding for further development.
Alfa Romeo 159 Alfetta specs
The Alfa Romeo 159 Alfetta produces 420 bhp (313 kW). It has a top speed of 190 mph (305 km/h).
| Make | Alfa Romeo |
|---|---|
| Model | 159 Alfetta |
| Years | 1951 |
| Type | Race car |
| Body style | Open-wheel single-seater |
| Country | Italy |
| Engine | 1.5L supercharged straight-8 (Alfa Romeo 158/159) |
|---|---|
| Displacement | 1,479 cc (1.5 litres) |
| Induction | Supercharged |
| Power | 420 bhp (313 kW) at 9,300 rpm |
| Top speed | 190 mph (305 km/h) |
| Transmission | 4-speed manual |
| Drivetrain | Rear-wheel drive |
| Weight | 710 kg (1,565 lb) |
| Power-to-weight | 592 bhp per tonne |
Typical figures for the standard car; options, markets and model years vary. Where our specs come from
Alfa Romeo 159 Alfetta rarity in CarSpot
The Alfa Romeo 159 Alfetta is a Unicorn card in CarSpot, with a rarity score of 42 out of 100. The rarest tier: hypercars, one-offs and cars built in tiny numbers, typically fewer than about 500. A Unicorn card is worth 320 XP.
Each model's tier starts from a 0–100 score based on its value plus its power or production numbers. Once enough players have spotted a model, how often it is spotted can move it up or down one tier. How CarSpot rarity works
Rarity is a collectible game mechanic, not an assessment of real-world scarcity or value.
Alfa Romeo 159 Alfetta fun facts
- The 159 managed about 1.5 miles per imperial gallon, against around 9 for the rival Talbot-Lagos.
- Two refuelling stops each for Fangio and Giuseppe Farina handed the 1951 British Grand Prix to José Froilán González's more economical Ferrari, the Alfetta's first defeat in a championship race it entered.
- After 1951, Alfa Romeo did not race in the World Championship as a constructor again until 1979.