ELVIRA TELLS

St Christopher, patron saint of motorists

28 September, 2017

"Those who traveled, so that they could do so safely, were advised: "Look at Saint Christopher and go quietly!"

During one of my first visits to the Museum to accompany guests, I was pointed out that on the radiator of a car on display, the 1928 6C 1500 Sport, with the bodywork of the Englishman James Young, there was a medallion depicting St. Christopher and I was asked what it was meant to represent. I did not know!
To tell the truth, I hadn't noticed it because, since ever, my eyes have been captured by the Alfa coat of arms and badge that are unmistakable to me! I immediately did some research and found what I'm telling you now. Queen Margherita loved to travel in the Sparrowhawk car.

One day, it was the summer of 1905, in a mountain area inhabited by shepherds, the car was hit by stones that hit it in full, and smashed the headlights. The driver, he couldn't see the road and braked desperately. The frightened queen clutched the little medal of St. Christopher between her fingers, hanging on the necklace. The car crashed at the last moment on the edge of a ravine. Was the driver good and the brakes good? Definitely yes, but even the saint must have done his part.
Grateful for having escaped danger, Margherita helped to spread devotion to St. Christopher as Italy got motorized. The Saint appeared on many of the cars in circulation in Italy, he also protected aviators and railwaymen who fixed large medallions of the Saint on locomotives.

 

 

 

July 25th. This is the Prayer:

O St. Christopher, who crossed the impetuous currents of a river with firmness and confidence because you carried the Child Jesus on your shoulders, let God always feel good in my heart, because then I will always have firmness and confidence driving my car and I will bravely face all the currents I come across, whether they come from men or from the spirit of hell.

Saint Christopher, pray for us. Amen.

When the first cars appeared at the end of the nineteenth century, one can well imagine how much bewilderment and apprehension they must have caused. Keeping those monsters under control was exciting but also exhausting. Against the thousand dangers of the road, against the pitfalls of speed, simple caution was not enough.
How the first Saint Christopher appeared in a car is unknown, but it seems to have happened very soon, perhaps in France. In the fifties, on the plates, together with the patron saint were combined advertising signs, ten years later the production of objects was extended to ashtrays and magnetic plates of the type "Go slowly, or good luck! Throughout Europe, horn buttons, tank caps, radiator decorations, plates and plates with his image were produced.

Elvira Ruocco, historical memory of Alfa Romeo, thanks to her more than twenty years of experience at the Alfa Romeo Centro di Documentazione Storica, has become part of the Museum team and in the column "Elvira Racconta" she will share curiosities and anecdotes that you may not know or remember. We will retrace the legendary history of Alfa Romeo with her.