Alfa Romeo 158, also known as the “Alfetta,” dominated Formula One’s first season after WWII. What was it about this car that enabled such domination? The Alfa 158 was by no means a new racecar. Designed by Gioacchino Colombo, the 158 first raced back in the 1930s and then sat in garages for the next five or six years waiting for the war to come to an end. The only update to the car coming into the 1950 season was the addition of a Roots-type supercharger. This single addition boosted the 1.5-liter inline 8-cylinder engine’s power to around 350 horsepower!
The small, narrow tubular frame of the Alfa Romeo chassis on narrow tires, its gentle curves, and powerful engine all contributed to the package that wrapped tightly around the single seat. The cockpit was rather tight for the driver behind the large wooden steering wheel. Despite its age, the combination of compact size and increased horsepower made for a very competitive package and a dream shot for any driver to become champion of the newly formed Formula One World Championship.
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