Alfa Romeo SF48 Bimotore Single Seat Racing Car 1935

The year 1934 marked the domonation of racing through German technological might in the form of Mercedes Benz and Auto Union Grand Prix cars, made possible by unlimited government financing, and the ability to createnew and lighter composite metals allowing to increase the displacement size of theirengines upward of 4000 cc. Gone was the dominance by France and Italy as the traditional elite of race car manufacture.

Alfa Romeo was desperate to regain their superiority. Scuderia Ferrari was tasked by Alfa Romeo to build their own 'Super Car' under the new Formula Libre-effectively lifting all weight and power restrictions. Long time Ferrari Technical Director Luigi Bazzi was not known for half measures. With a team of 30 employees at Scuderia Ferrari, Bazzi designed the Bimotore based on the Type B, but featuring 2 Type B engines of 3165 cc that were placed in front and behind the driver with the rear engine facing towards the rear. The differential was located in the middle with the power from both engines supplied to the rear wheels through twin driveshafts. The fuel tanks were placed on each side of the car for weight distribution. The performance with 540 hp from the two engines was enormous and surpassed both the Mercedes Benz and the Auto Union at 430 hp and 375 hp respectively. Two cars were built in total.

The Alfa Romeo Bimotore was intended for the fast tracks of the Formula Libre calendar, and the task was to compete with the large engine competitors from Germany and France. Though Alfa Romeo had access to several excellent drivers (Rene Dreyfus, Louis Chiron,..) Enzo Ferrari knew only one driver could rise to the challenge- Great Mantuan Tazio Nuvolari. There was rumour that Benito Mussolini himself intervened to persuade Nuvolari to leave Maserati and come back to Alfa Romeo.

Two Alfa Romeo Bimotore were entered for the 1935 Tripoli Grand Prix with Nuvolari and Chiron. While Caracciola and Fagioli shot into the lead, Nuvolari was able to pass Fagioli only to have to pit on the third lap for new rear tires. By race end Nuvolari would claim fourth followed by Chiron in a race won by Caracciola. Two weeks later at the Avus Race in Berlin. Chiron conquered second place after Nuvolari did not finish due to constant shredding of the tires. In June 1935 Nuvolari set a land speed record on the Firenze-Lucca highway, his top speed on the second run exceeding 362 kilometer per hour.

Unfortunately; the breath-taking performance in a straight line came at the high price of high weight (1300 kg compared to 700 kg for single engine Alfa Romeo Type B), difficult handling with tire shredding causing frequent pit stops as well as high fuel consumption. The Alfa Romeo Bimotore was not successful. One of the Bimotore was scrapped, the only remaining one was sold to British amateur driver Auston Dobson who raced the car in various British events including Brooklands and Donington, it later joined Tom Wheatcroft's Donington Collection. Today the Bimotore resides in a European Collection.

Specifications :
- Chassis Number SF48
- Engines 2 engines Tipo B (P3) 3165cc each 540 horsepower
- Gearbox  Alfa Romeo 3 speed
- Brakes hydraulic
- Suspension independant Dubonnet type
- Weight 1300 kg
- Top Speed 362 kph

source Lukas Huni Retromobile 2020- Maurizio Tabucchi-Alfa Romeo from 1910 to 2010 Giorgio Nada Editore

Alfa Romeo SF48 Bimotore Single Seat Racing Car 1935 Wallpapers