Elvira tells
Elvita tells... the Madwoman
22 MARCH, 2017

The idea of a modern, robust, economical jeep that could meet civil and military requirements and be an alternative to the Fiat Campagnola came from Orazio Satta Puliga, Director of Design and Experience at Alfa Romeo, at the end of November 1950.

Its realisation was a real speed record because it was designed in just three months and the actual assembly took just 20 days. From the first general lines, drawn up by Mario Colucci on 20 January 1951, to the construction of the first prototype, less than nine months went by: a record that we owe to Giuseppe Busso and his team.

What should be highlighted about this car is the introduction of avant-garde concepts starting with the engine with overhead valves running at 4400 rpm, with a light alloy head and hemispherical chambers. All characteristics of a very modern engine, an engine with low consumption and high power with the smallest possible dimensions and weight.

The front suspension is independent-wheel suspension with torsion bars and hydraulic shock absorbers; the rear suspension has leaf springs and hydraulic shock absorbers. The transmission has four speeds, with third and fourth synchronised, with a reduction gear. The transmission can drive either only the rear wheels or all four. Because of its robustness and versatility, it was also used by special police units, such as the Celere, and by the Fire Brigade.

the madwoman climbs the stairs of the Basilica of Assisi

Because of its ability to cover almost 'impossible' routes, engineer Iginio Alessio, General Manager of Alfa Romeo at the time, was impressed during a test carried out with test driver Guido Moroni, and gave the vehicle the nickname 'Matta' (Crazy).

In one of our meetings at the Archives, at which Busso was also present, Moroni told me that during the tests of the ascent and descent of the "Matta" on the Ara Coeli stairs in Rome, the Army Colonel Ferruccio Garbari, who was driving, did not allow him to try it, telling him that it was dangerous, especially on the descent. However, as he was willing to do it, Moroni suggested to Busso to divert the route to Assisi, and so not only did he easily make the ascent but also the descent, both of which are testified by pictures in the Alfa Romeo Historical Archive.

The first production car, of which a total of 2,059 units were manufactured, was created at the beginning of March 1952 in the Pomigliano plant in collaboration with the Aerfer company (Officine di Pomigliano per costruzioni aeronautiche e ferroviarie - Pomigliano Workshops for Aeronautical and Railway Construction) and the Pozzuoli mechanical works. It was presented to the public for the first time on 16 September 1952 during the Italian Grand Prix and World Champion Nino Farina took it for a demonstration lap.

La Matta also had the opportunity to compete in a sports competition, achieving considerable success that filled Busso and his men with pride. It happened in 1952 at the Mille Miglia, in the category of military vehicles, a unique case in the history of the famous race, in which two Alfa AR 51s were entered. On the morning of 4 May, the Matta driven by Captain Costa and Lieutenant Verga came first, beating the Campagnola by 42 minutes. The other, driven by Lieutenant Beltramini, had run off the road near Ancona.

To celebrate, Alfa organised a dinner attended by the company's top management and crews. The president, Pasquale Gallo, emphasised the tenacity and passion of his collaborators who had shown that Alfa Romeo was capable of performing brilliantly even in this type of production.

In March, again two Alfa Matta were the protagonists of Leonardo Bonzi's expedition to South America. An adventurous journey from the Atlantic to the Pacific, via Mato Grosso and Indonesia, witnessed in a film entitled Green Magic.

Despite the excellent quality of this vehicle, production did not take off, probably because of the cost (1,950,000 lire against 1,600,000 of Fiat's AR 51). The only order from the Army was in August 1951, after which Fiat's Campagnola prevailed.

Of the 2,264 cars produced (including 154 for civilian use, known as the AR 52) just over two hundred have survived, much appreciated by enthusiasts who use them in competitions where power and stability are required.

An occasion to remember a legendary story and all those who contributed to creating the Alfa myth but also to attract and motivate new generations to keep this myth alive in the years to come.