Alfa 24 HP

The ALFA 24 HP, a 4.1-liter four-cylinder passenger car, holds the distinction of being the first model produced by the Italian car manufacturer ALFA (Anonima Lombarda Fabbrica Automobili), which later became Alfa Romeo in 1919. Introduced in 1910, the same year ALFA was founded, the 24 HP was built at the Portello factory near Milan and remained in production until 1914. The model’s name derives from its tax horsepower rating, a common designation for vehicles at the time. Commercially successful, the 24 HP laid the foundation for a decade of ongoing development. In 1914, the car received significant updates, resulting in the ALFA 20-30 HP, which was produced between 1914 and 1915. Following World War I, production resumed, with around 100 additional examples assembled in 1920. The 20-30 HP eventually evolved into the Alfa Romeo 20-30 ES Sport, introduced in 1921–22, marking the first car to officially bear the Alfa Romeo badge. In total, 680 examples of the ALFA 24 HP and its successor, the 20-30 HP, were produced. This particular specimen boasts a body designed by Carrozzeria Castagna Milano, renowned for their masterful craftsmanship and luxurious designs. The collaboration between ALFA and Castagna exemplifies the early 20th-century synergy between engineering innovation and bespoke coachbuilding artistry. The ALFA 24 HP’s success not only ensured the fledgling company’s survival but also established its reputation for producing high-performance and reliable vehicles. This model represents a significant milestone in the history of Italian automotive engineering, bridging the transition from ALFA’s origins to its transformation into Alfa Romeo, one of the world’s most iconic automotive brands. Today, the ALFA 24 HP endures as a symbol of pioneering spirit and craftsmanship from the golden age of motoring.