[Bob Little]

The February 2014 issue of Alfa Owner magazine in the USA and others in Europe will be featuring the three part series of photographic images "Inside the Walls"....never before seen images of the inside of the Autodelta factory and showing just about every aspect of building the World Champion 33TT12 cars and production racing vehicles....these archival-quality images have been in my storage and care for over 42 years and were taken by me personally with the expressed permission of Ingeniere Carlo Chiti, Directore Generale of Autodelta while I was living inside and "working" for Autodelta. I have decided to publish them in honor of the formation of Autodelta as a subsidiary of Alfa Romeo, S.p.A. on November 30, 1964.

Not even the Alfa Romeo factory or the Museo Storico personnel have ever seen these images or any images for that matter 'inside the walls' as visitors and cameras were prohibited from entering the top secret fabrication area by Autodelta security police for decades. There are a few black and white images kicking around..... taken in the first year or so of the company's formation but after that...nothing.... until now.

For those who are not subscribers to the Alfa Owner, the images will be posted on one of my websites for the non-commercial use and enjoyment of Alfisti everywhere. Journalists and publishers who wish to use the images are strongly encouraged to contact me prior to even thinking about using the words or pictures contained therein...but for Alfa enthusiasts...you are free to enjoy them and post them to your club magazines or 'webzines'.

Return to this posting on February 22th for the exact site address to view Part One. Due to the publishing schedules of the various other non-profit magazines who are picking this series free of charge, each part is delayed until most magazines can publish the monthly material...it is too large for any one magazine to publish all at once.

A feature entitled "Autodelta Assaults LeMans" covering Alfa Romeo Autodelta racing efforts to win the 24 Hours of LeMans in June of 1972 will be included each month.

Part Two will be released March 22nd and Part Three will be on the same site on April 22nd.

Hope you all enjoy it and if there are Alfa magazines who were not invited to run the articles at absolutely no charge (non-commercial publishers only), kindly ask your the editor to drop me a quick Private Message listing the website of the Alfa club activities it reports on.

Thank you and please join me in Celebrating the 50th Anniversary of Autodelta and Ing. Carlo Chiti.

Robert Little
New York

 

[Ing Carlo Chiti]

A u t o d e l t a

Ciao,

We had some fun last year in 2013 and I look forward to celebrating with you all this year everything A U T O D E L T A in 2014! All my dogs will guard the shop as we are out racing, hopefully there will not be as much dog hair in race cars this year!

I look forward to seeing all the Autodelta cars and drivers out this year all over the world continuing our winning tradition. Viva La Alfa Romeo/Autodelta!

 

[ARGTAReg]

Chiti & Autodelta

Nice tread that you have started. It was at once beautiful and somewhat poignant and sorrowful for me reading your posts. A kind of backward journey in thrilling times and memories with a touch of nostalgia. In the late ‘60ties and early ‘70ties, I was frequently in Settimo Milanese, I knew Chiti well and was often his guest at his Milano headquarter, “Alla Collina Pistoiese”, talking about cars, dogs, and everything other trivial theme. He was generous, humorous and gourmet, never too serious, and never talking about Autodelta’s secret weapons. Alfa was unfair and ungrateful to him and their farewell was a sad one. I remember the team at start in Donington Park, two weeks after Chiti’s death without any sign of grief on the cars, without official communiqué. It was British race authority that remembered him that day…
P.S. And yes Bob, the number of visitors of Autodelta’s two hangars was extremely limited. I am looking with anxiety for your photos, and thank you for your post.
Giants:

 

[jrichter]

Really looking forward to it. Thanks in advance.
/Jens

 

[Bob Little]

"Inside the Walls" Autodelta and Ing. Carlo Chiti in the Golden Years Open Now

Jens: I take the occasion of your kind remarks to announce that the site I have been working on.... in concert with magazine editors of the Alfa Romeo Owners Club in America, Canada and throughout Europe and Scandinavia....is now open today to view at:

"Inside the Walls" - First Autodelta Images in 42 Years

In a serialized three part format it photographically traces the inner pulse of Autodelta and Ing. Carlo Chiti using never before seen archival images I captured in the 1970s.. the only person known to have ever been given permission to photograph "Inside the Walls" by the Directore Generale himself. Part One is now open to view. Parts Two and Three will appear as those images are published around the Alfa Romeo enthusiast world.

These images have been in my protective care and custody for over four decades....Portello and Arese personnel have never seen them nor have they ever been allowed to visit the Settimo Milanese Autodelta facilities ...nor has anyone from the Museo Storico ever seen these or been allowed to enter behind the walls. These images are the sole set of archival images showing the birth and manufacture of the T-33 series of prototypes and of course the production-based racing vehicles such as the GTA and Montreal.

There is a separate photographic essay on "Autodelta Assaults LeMans" from the 1972 race and a deeply personal "Celebrating Carlo Chiti" feature as we approach the 20th Anniversary of his passing on July 7th.

Join with me in "Celebrating the 50th Anniversary of Autodelta and Ing Carlo Chiti" by visiting and be sure to lend your reminisces and comments to the Guestbook page.

This is Your History and Your Tradition. Pass It On.

Regards,

Robert Little

 

[conedriver]

Bob,

Absolutely fascinating. Many thanks for your enthusiasm and loyalty to Alfa (and thanks for a kindness, 40+ years ago, when you helped an Alfa autocrosser. Your letter "authorizing" a limited slip in 1750 Alfas was distributed among many owners and helped with our competition efforts; admittedly at a somewhat lower level than that of Autodelta).

 

[eric_h]

Bob,

Beautiful! And please ignore my Digest post, you're obviously way ahead of me with getting the word out.

Thank you for putting this together.

 

[Bob Little]

"Celebrating 50th Anniversary of Autodelta"

Alfa Friends:

The web address of the entire three part serialized photo essay along with "Autodelta Assaults LeMans" and "Carlo Chiti Remembrances" can be found at:

"Inside the Walls" - First Autodelta Images in 42 Years

otherwise known as: www.RobertLittle.US

Enjoy and thank you to the thousands who have visited within the past several weeks!

 

[alfettapb]

Bob,

Just my many thanks for sharing photos (in colour) from a golden era in my opinion! I am so interested to see the next set of photos since they are just excellent so far!

Carlo

 

[Bob Little]

"Inside the Walls" Photographic History Part Two Now Available

Alfisti: I am proud to announce that Part Two of my series of never before seen images of the inside of Alfa Romeo Autodelta during its truly Golden Years is now available for viewing.

And let me add....since the site was first operational back last month...perhaps you had visited and seen Part One...a whole host of new images and information bits have supplemented Part One, Autodelta Assaults LeMans and Carlo Chiti Remembrances . More than five thousand people have visited the site from around the Alfa Romeo world and I really appreciate the response it has received.

If you liked Part One, you will be seriously enjoy viewing Part Two. Visit: www.RobertLittle.us .
Thank you.

 

[Zagato_Olaf]

GTAm #1531230 visible in the pictures.

Alfisti: I am proud to announce that Part Two of my series of never before seen images of the inside of Alfa Romeo Autodelta during its truly Golden Years is now available for viewing.

And let me add....since the site was first operational back last month...perhaps you had visited and seen Part One...a whole host of new images and information bits have supplemented Part One, Autodelta Assaults LeMans and Carlo Chiti Remembrances . More than five thousand people have visited the site from around the Alfa Romeo world and I really appreciate the response it has received.

If you liked Part One, you will be seriously enjoy viewing Part Two. Visit: www.RobertLittle.us .
Thank you.

Hello Robert,

I spotted a GTAm with licenseplate MI L47393 (GTAm #1531230) in one of the pictures. Great story! Looking forward to part III of the story and photographs!

Ciao, Olaf

 

[Bob Little]

Latest "Inside the Walls" Part Three Now Open to View

My Three Part series on the history of Autodelta, Carlo Chiti and the wonderful racing cars that were created during the 'Golden Years'...has actually grown to Five Parts!

Over the past few months I added an evolving narrative "Autodelta Drivers Speak" and the "Tipo 105.33 Historical Chronology" along with a trip to the 1972 Targa Florio with the team...one of the most exciting finishes in Alfa Romeo racing history and yet at the same time one of Carlo Chiti's darkest hours. I also take you on a behind the scenes trip "Autodelta Assaults LeMans"...a photographic narrative on the 1972 race.

The site "Inside the Walls" will be evolving constantly as former drivers and Autodelta employees submit their remembrances and photographic images for translation and placement within the site.

For example, we expect that Autodelta team shop foreman Giuseppe Callegher, who lives quietly in his retirement in Milano will add his interesting historical commentary and photos next month.

Please remember to make the site a "Favorite" as I will not be placing announcements with the addition of new material as we go along. New material will be added on the day I receive it.

The site is www.RobertLittle.us .

"Inside the Walls" has become the foremost and most authoritative historical reference on the Internet of Autodelta's Golden Years.

Thanks for visiting.

 

[tirefriar]

Bravissimo!