Alfa Romeo does not build many cars like the Alfa Romeo G1: a Limousine with 6,330 , built from 1921 to 1923 the vintage years, when coachbuilders still shaped most of what was sold. Its designer of record is Giuseppe Merosi. Production ran to 52 cars.
Where it came from
The Alfa Romeo G1 (1921–23) was an Italian automobile. It was the first all-new design from Alfa Romeo after the end of the A.L.F.A. brand. The car was designed by A.L.F.A. pioneer Giuseppe Merosi as the factory's new luxury vehicle while he simultaneously revised the prewar 24HP racing car into the 20/30ES model. At this time, he was engaged in a legal dispute with Nicola Romeo regarding the brand takeover conditions. The chassis was lengthened and stiffened from the 1914 A.L.F.A.
40-60 HP model, entering into market territory competition with Rolls-Royce. A new 6.3 L (384 cu in) straight-6 engine was introduced, producing 70 PS (51 kW) and 216 lb⋅ft (293 N⋅m) of torque. The G1 achieved a maximum speed of 86 miles per hour (138 km/h), winning its production class at the Coppa del Garda race. Total production was 52 cars. It found no customers in Italy, and all 50 production model (excepting two prototypes) found their way to Australia. Chassis numbers 6001 and 6002 were built in 1920 as prototypes, whereas 6003 to 6052 were built mostly in 1921. Only one known survivor exists as of 2019, chassis number 6018. It was in 2007 owned by New Zealand's Alfa importer and is also the oldest surviving Alfa Romeo-branded car.
Under the skin
Under the skin sits 6,330 . Kerb weight is 1500 kg. The gearbox is a 4-speed manual with reverse gear. The layout matters: a front engine drives the rear wheels, the classic proportion — long bonnet, cabin set back — that most people picture when they picture a sports saloon or a grand tourer. The wheelbase is 3400 mm. These are manufacturer figures carried by Wikipedia and Wikidata, not road-test measurements.
In context
Where it sits in Alfa Romeo's history is not in doubt: the A.L.F.A 40/60 HP came before it; the Alfa Romeo RL followed it; it was built at Portello, Milan, Italy. On a showroom list of its day it stood against the Fiat 520, the Bentley 3 Litre, the British Motor Corporation Austin 12. Nearby in the Alfa Romeo catalogue sit the A.L.F.A 12 HP and the A.L.F.A 15 HP.
The money
MotorJury scores cars on the United States complaint and recall record, and the Alfa Romeo G1 has none: too old, too rare, or never sold there. Its value today is a collector's question, decided by provenance and condition rather than by a class average.