Alfa Romeo F12

Alfa Romeo Romeo
Alfa Romeo Romeo 2 Furgone
Overview
Manufacturer	Alfa Romeo
Production	1954-1983
Assembly	Italy Spain (Romeo 2)
Body and chassis
Class	Van
Layout	FF layout

Alfa Romeo Romeo 2
Romeo 2 lorry
Overview
Production	1954-1967
Powertrain
Engine	1,290 cc petrol I4 1,158 cc 2-cyl supercharged diesel
Transmission	4-speed manual ZF transmission

External image

Alfa Romeo AR8

The Alfa Romeo Romeo is a small cabover van that was introduced by Alfa Romeo in 1954 as the Alfa Romeo Autotutto ("all purpose"). The line of vans continued to be built until 1983, when it was replaced by relabelled Fiat and Iveco commercials.

The first Alfa Romeo T10 "Autotutto" ("all purpose") was presented in 1954 Turin Motor Show as panel and minibus version. Later more versions came available as Alfa Romeo made themselves with very many body versions: van, high roof van, "Promiscuo" (van with additional side windows and rear seating), minibus, school bus, ambulance, pick-up, drop-side truck and double cab truck. In addition to this many coachbuilding companies made their own versions. The van used the 1,290 cc Alfa Romeo Twin Cam straight-four engine detuned to 35 bhp (26 kW) and it had top speed of 60 mph (97 km/h). This engine was later used on Giulietta Berlina. The optional two-cylinder supercharged diesel engine had 30 bhp (22 kW).

The updated Romeo 2 version was introduced in 1954, it was assembled in Italy and also built under license in Spain by FADISA (Fabricacion de Automoviles Diesel S.A.), this Spanish version had a 1.6 liter Perkins 4/99 diesel engine and a gearbox with synchro on all forward gears.

The final version Romeo 3 was introduced in 1966. The Romeo 3 had some improvements like hydraulic clutch and adjustable driver's seat. The Romeo 3 had a production run of only some 6 months or so before being replaced by the Giulia 1300 engined F12 and A12 models. In all, some 23,000 Romeos had been produced between 1954 and 1966.

The Autotutto was replaced with Giulia engined Alfa Romeo F12 and A12 vans in 1967.

The front of the car was updated with wider chrome and mesh grill, also the 1,290 cc Alfa Romeo Twin Cam engine was updated now having a 52 hp (39 kW). The front-engined van had four-speed gearbox and front-wheel drive. In 1973 an inline-four 1,760 cc Perkins diesel (4.108) was also offered, it had 50 hp (37 kW). This same engine was also available to Giulia sedan from 1976. The van had top speed of around 115 km/h (71 mph). The front brakes were discs and rear ones drums. Abandoning the use of a model name, "F" depicted a furgone, or van, "A" depicted an autocarro or light truck, while "12" indicated the carrying capacity of 12 quintali (1 quintale = 100 kg (220 lb)).