Alfa Romeo Disco Volante

The Alfa Romeo 1900 C52 Disco Volante, meaning flying saucer, was a series of experimental sports racing cars built in 1952 and 1953 by the Italian maker with the Milanese coachbuilder Carrozzeria Touring. Its streamlined bodywork was tested in a wind tunnel and had a lenticular cross section seen from the front and the side, with a faired in underbody, to keep drag low even in crosswinds. Three spiders were built in 1952 with a two litre all alloy four cylinder engine, and one was later modified into a coupe. Two more cars took the 3.5 litre six cylinder engine of the 6C 3000 CM racing car. Five cars were built in all and four survive. The program never moved past the experimental stage, and only one car was raced in period, during 1953.