 1924 P2 | |
| Category | Grand Prix |
|---|---|
| Constructor | Alfa Romeo |
| Team/s | Alfa Corse |
| Designer | Vittorio Jano |
| Predecessor | Alfa Romeo P1 |
| Successor | Alfa Romeo Tipo A |
| Drivers | 1924 +Antonio Ascari,Giuseppe Campari,Louis Wagner,Ferdinando Minoia,Gastone Brilli-Peri |
| Chassis | |
| Suspension (front) | Rigid Axle, semi-elliptic leaf springs, friction shocks |
| Suspension (rear) | Live axle, semi-elliptic leaf springs, friction shocks |
| Engine | Front mounted, Alfa Romeo, Straight-8 Twin RootsSuperchargers |
| Gearbox | Alfa Romeo 4 speedmanual |
| Wheelbase | 103.5 inches (2,630 mm) |
| Track | Front 51.2 inches (1,300 mm), Rear 47.2 inches (1,200 mm) |
| Dry weight | 614 kg (1,354 lb) |
| Fuel | |
| Tyres | |
| Debut | 1924Cremona Circuit, Antonio Ascari, 1st |
| Races competed | |
| Constructors' Championships | 1925Automobile World Championship |
| Drivers' Championships | Not applicable before 1950 |
| Race victories | 15 |
| Last season | 1930 |
TheAlfa Romeo P2 won the inauguralAutomobile World Championship in 1925, taking victory in two of the four championship rounds whenAntonio Ascari drove it in theEuropean Grand Prix atSpa andGastone Brilli-Peri won theItalian Grand Prix atMonza after Ascari died while leading the intervening race atMontlhery.
Although 1925 brought drastic changes of regulations, from 1924 to 1930 the P2 was victorious in 14 Grands Prix and major events including the Targa Florio. It was one of the iconic Grand Prix cars of the 1920s, along with theBugatti Type 35, and enabled Alfa Romeo, as world champions, to incorporate thelaurel wreath into their logo.
The P2 was introduced by Alfa Romeo for theCircuit of Cremona in northernItaly in 1924, where Antonio Ascari won at over 158 km/h (98 mph), and then went on to win the speed trial at 195 km/h (121 mph). The car was the first creation of Alfa's new designerVittorio Jano who had been recruited from Fiat byEnzo Ferrari when Nicola Romeo scrapped theP1 after its poor performance in the 1923 Monza Grand Prix againstFiat. The P2 was powered by Alfa's firststraight-8 cylindersupercharged engine with 2carburettors placed after the compressor.
Only 2 of the 6 original models survive, and they can be seen in theAlfa Romeo Museum inArese and theTurin Automobile Museum. The P2 had two body styles using either a cut off or long rear.
One of the P2s was featured on the main sculpture at the 2010Goodwood Festival of Speed.[1]
| Technical data | P2 |
|---|---|
| Engine: | Front mounted 8-cylinderin-line engine |
| displacement: | 1987 cm³ |
| Bore x stroke: | 61 x 85mm |
| Max power: | 140 hp (1924) - 175 hp (1930) |
| Valve control: | 2 overheadcamshafts, 2valves per cylinder |
| Upload: | Roots compressor |
| Gearbox: | 4-speed manual |
| suspension front: | Stiff front axle, longitudinal leaf springs,friction shock absorbers |
| suspension rear: | Stiff rear axle, longitudinal leaf springs,friction shock absorbers |
| Brakes: | Mechanical drum brakes |
| Wheelbase: | 262 cm |
| Dry weight: | About 600 kg |
| Top speed: | About 225 km/h |
