The Alfa Romeo Tipo 512 was intended to replacement the

Alfa Romeo 158 The Alfa Romeo 158/159, also known as the ''Alfetta'' (''Little Alfa'' in Italian), is a Grand Prix racing car produced by Italian manufacturer Alfa Romeo. It is one of the most successful racing cars ever; the 158 and its derivative, the 1 ...

Voiturette racing car. It was designed by

Wifredo Ricart Wifredo Pelayo Ricart Medina (15 May 1897 – 19 August 1974) was a Spanish engineer, designer and executive manager in the automotive industry, who spent his professional career in Spain and Italy. The Barcelona "Happy Twenties" Born in Ba ...

as his second car for Alfa Romeo after the V16-engined Alfa Romeo Tipo 162. It was the first mid-engined Alfa Romeo model. This racing car has a flat 12 engine (technically speaking it is a 180 degree

V12 V12 or V-12 may refer to: Aircraft * Mil V-12, a Soviet heavy lift helicopter * Pilatus OV-12, a planned American military utility aircraft * Rockwell XFV-12, an American experimental aircraft project * Škoda-Kauba V12, a Czechoslovak experim ...

) using a mid-engine layout. With two Roots-type superchargers, the engine could produce up to per litre. The engine had very short stroke compared to other Grands Prix cars at that time, only (bore 54mm). The potential of this machine is not very clear, since it remained a prototype. The power of the engine measured at the bench was at 8600 rpm. In the Alfa Romeo museum in Arese, alongside the 512 displayed, is the following data: maximum power (estimated) at 11,000 rpm and maximum speed over . Car development was finished in 1940 and stopped during World War II. Another chassis was built, but that car never raced. The Tipo 512 was first tested on September 12, 1940, by Alfa Romeo chief test driver

Consalvo Sanesi Consalvo Sanesi (28 March 1911, in Terranuova Bracciolini, Arezzo – 28 July 1998, in Milan) was best known as the Alfa Romeo works' test driver in the period following World War II, but he also competed in races with the Alfa Romeo Tipo 158/159 ...

; despite being very powerful its handling was not thought to be good enough. June 19, 1940 Alfa Romeo's test driver Attilio Marinoni was killed while testing the 512 suspension fitted to an Alfetta 158. Alfa Romeo won the Formula 1 World Championship with the Alfetta 158 in 1950, taking the place for which the 512 was originally designed. Only two prototypes were built. Both are currently on display at the Alfa Romeo Historical Museum in

Arese Arese ( lmo, Ares ) is a ''comune'' (municipality) in the Metropolitan City of Milan in the Italian region Lombardy, about northwest of Milan. Arese borders the following municipalities: Lainate, Garbagnate Milanese, Bollate, Rho, Milan. Arese ...

, Italy.

References

{{Alfa Romeo Pre War Timeline Grand Prix cars Tipo 512 Grand Prix racer