Alfa 40-60 HP Aerodinamica Siluro Ricotti

The Alfa 40-60 HP Aerodinamica, commonly referred to as the Siluro Ricotti, was a one-off experimental automobile produced in 1914 by Carrozzeria Castagna of Milan, commissioned by Count Marco Ricotti. It was based on the ALFA 40-60 HP chassis, a high-performance touring car designed by Giuseppe Merosi for Anonima Lombarda Fabbrica Automobili (ALFA), the predecessor of Alfa Romeo. The Siluro Ricotti was notable for its radical aerodynamic bodywork, constructed entirely from lightweight aluminum. Its teardrop-shaped profile featured a fully enclosed front section, rounded fenders, and a pointed tail, echoing contemporary aviation and naval design. The car incorporated curved glass panels in the windshield and circular porthole windows along its flanks, providing visibility while maintaining a streamlined form. Mechanically, it retained the original 6082 cc inline-four engine producing approximately 70 horsepower, coupled with a four-speed manual transmission and rear-wheel drive. The aerodynamic enhancements allowed the Siluro Ricotti to reach a top speed of 139 km/h (86 mph)—significantly higher than the standard open-bodied version of the 40-60 HP. The interior was configured for five passengers, fulfilling Ricotti’s request for a sports car capable of family travel. The vehicle had three doors, an asymmetrical layout designed for ease of access and structural efficiency. The Siluro Ricotti is considered one of the earliest examples of aerodynamically conscious automotive design and has been retrospectively classified as a forerunner to the concept car. The original vehicle was eventually dismantled or lost, but in 1979, a historically accurate replica was constructed by Alfa Romeo for exhibition purposes and is held in the collection of the Museo Storico Alfa Romeo in Arese, Italy.