Early Australian Racing Alfas

[alfa2go]

I was wondering if anyone had any photos and info on Alfa Romeos racing in Australia pre/post war before the 105 series cars hit the tracks.
I cant say I have seen or heard much about them.

Did a bit of a google search and saw that they did compete quite a bit.

Here are a few examples...

Lobethal (in the Adelaide Hills, South Australia)
January 1, 1939
17 laps of 8.65 mile circuit
6. Jack Saywell (Alfa Romeo Tipo B 2.9) 1:45:48/2:06:48
7. John F Crouch (Alfa Romeo 2.3) 1:52:33/2:08.33
8. Alf Barrett (Alfa Romeo Monza 2.3) 2:09:11
Fastest Lap: Barrett (Alfa Monza 2.3) 5:40 91.5mph
Fastest Time: Saywell (Alfa P3)


Narrogin, in the wheat belt south of Perth, WA
March 5, 1951... 24 laps - 105.6 miles
Retirements:
bob Brown (Alfa Ford V8) lap 3
Lex Davison (Alfa Romeo Tipo B/P3 2.9) didn't leave Melbourne

Albert Park, near Melbourne, November 21, 1953
64 laps of 3m public road circuit - 252 miles
Ron Edgerton (Alfa Romeo Monza 2.3)

Bathurst, October 6, 1947
The first post-war Grand Prix:
38 laps - 147.25 miles
Fastest Lap: Alf Barrett (Alfa Romeo Monza 2.3) 3:06
Retirements:
Alf Barrett (Alfa Romeo Monza 2.3)
.
Nuriootpa, in South Australia's Barossa Valley, January 2, 1950
34 laps of flat public road circuit - 102 miles
2. Rupert Steele (Alfa Romeo Monza 2.3) 1h 27:51
Retirements:
Lex Davison (Alfa Romeo Tipo B/P3 2.9) engine lap 1

[gtv2000]

Try to find yourself a copy of the book "Alfa Romeo Downunder Part 1 - the early years".

You'll find all those cars pictured and described.

[alfa2go]

Thanks GTV2000, I forgot about that book. I'll try and track down a copy.

[vroom]

Quote:

Originally Posted by alfa2go Thanks GTV2000, I forgot about that book. I'll try and track down a copy.

[alfa2go]

Thats pretty funny Vroom, I was just hitting the purchase button on the Pitstop website when the notification came up that you replied to this thread.
Seems like a good sprecial price at $14.95AUS.

[vroom]

Quote:

Originally Posted by alfa2go Thats pretty funny Vroom, I was just hitting the purchase button on the Pitstop website when the notification came up that you replied to this thread. Seems like a good sprecial price at $14.95AUS.

[getagrip]

Evan Greens book "Alfa Romeo" from about 1976 also features a chapter on Alfa in Australia with a few photo's of some of the cars above and histories of the known pre war survivors to that point. The book by David Wright mentioned by GTV2000 has lots more great peroid photos and was written in '92, so is a bit more "current"?

The Afla/Ford V8 that retired from Narrogin in 1951, is no doubt the Mrs.Jones car, a supercharged 1929 1750 Gran Sport Zagato, originally one of the 6 factory entries in the "29 Mille Miglia and which came to Australia in 1930. It is well documented in both books.

This magnificent old car has since been wonderfully restored and was at Speed On Tweed at Murwillumbah in Sept 2006. "Good On Ya" to the current owner for dragging her out in a muddy cow paddock!

[vroom]

Quote:

Originally Posted by getagrip Evan Greens book "Alfa Romeo" from about 1976 also features a chapter on Alfa in Australia with a few photo's of some of the cars above and histories of the known pre war survivors to that point. The book by David Wright mentioned by GTV2000 has lots more great peroid photos and was written in '92, so is a bit more "current"? The Afla/Ford V8 that retired from Narrogin in 1951, is no doubt the Mrs.Jones car, a supercharged 1929 1750 Gran Sport Zagato, originally one of the 6 factory entries in the "29 Mille Miglia and which came to Australia in 1930. It is well documented in both books. This magnificent old car has since been wonderfully restored and was at Speed On Tweed at Murwillumbah in Sept 2006. "Good On Ya" to the current owner for dragging her out in a muddy cow paddock!

[getagrip]

Ahhh. Thats beautiful Vroom. Seen any of the other pre war cars in recent years?

[vroom]

Quote:

Originally Posted by getagrip Ahhh. Thats beautiful Vroom. Seen any of the other pre war cars in recent years?

[vroom]

This is the Giulia Sprint 1600 that I co-own which I will be restoring in the next year or two.

I believe it to be one of four cars imported by Lightburns for evaluation purposes.

The previous owner bought it from a chap in Victoria who mentioned that it had some racing history in Victoria and Tasmania.

Certainly the inner guard has been cut away presumably to allow the fitment of twin Webers at some time.

Hopefully there may be some pics out there!

[getagrip]

Thats a beautiful thing Vroom. I am sure there will be an old(er)timer out there who could tell you some more about where she has been. Keep asking! It will always have been a rare and desireable car in Australia. Good luck with the resto. It looks like a great starting point.

[dretceterini]

It might be a good idea to post the question on the Atlas F1 nostalgia forum....

[py105]

That 1750 lives in Melbourne and the owner keeps it on full rego and drives it often. He was telling me once about some interesting moments with the middle throttle pedal...

Very nice car, although he is hoping to put a more correct body on it, I believe the one thats currently on it was custom built in Castlemaine here in Vic. I wonder if he drove it all the way to Murwillimbah... i wouldnt put it past him.

[getagrip]

I actually did that trip about 10 days ago, (Melbourne to Murwillumbah) in a 33 16V and my trip meter read a shade over 1600KM, or in the old money, 1000 Miles. Mille Miglia.

Sipping a beer and watching the sun come up when I got home, it had me thinking what deadset legends the men of that era were and what tough cars they must have been.

My trip took me a whisper over 18hrs. Campari/Ramponi finished the 1929 MM in the sister car to above 1750 in 18hrs 4 Minutes. I reckon they would have beaten me, and I'm travelling on gunbarrel straight, super smooth highways rather than winding mountain passes on rough dirt. I was also completely knackered for 2 days! (The Alfa never missed a beat BTW).

I admire the spirit of current owner of the 1750GS for keeping the plates on it and driving it whenever he can. I know I sure would. If he didnt drive it up last year, I certainly hope he does this year. She was made for it!