Alfa Romeo Tipo 512

Racing car | Car_name = Alfa Romeo Tipo 512


Category = Voiturette
Constructor = Alfa Romeo
Designer = Wifredo Ricart / Gioacchino ColomboCite web|url=http://www.kolumbus.fi/leif.snellman/c1.htm|title=ALFA ROMEO|accessdate=2008-09-20|work=kolumbus.fi/leif.snellman]
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Technical ref = Cite web|url=http://www.ultimatecarpage.com/car/1647/Alfa-Romeo-512.html|title=Alfa Romeo 512|accessdate=2008-09-20|work=ultimatecarpage.com]

Chassis = Single-seater, tubular frame
Front suspension = wishbones, longitudinal torsion bar, friction dampers, hydraulic shock absorbers
Rear suspension = De-Dion-axle, longitudinal torsion bar, friction dampers, telescopic shock absorbers
Engine name =
Capacity = 1489 cc
Configuration = V12 180°
Turbo/NA = Roots-type supercharger**,
Engine position = Mid, longitudinally mounted
** - Auto bhp|335|0 @ 8600 rpm
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Gears = 5-speed
Type = manual.
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Wheelbase = convert|2450|mm|in|1|abbr=on
Track = Front:convert|1320|mm|in|1|abbr=on
Rear:convert|1310|mm|in|1|abbr=on| Weight = convert|710|kg|lb|abbr=on
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The Alfa Romeo Tipo 512 was intended for replacement for Alfa Romeo 158 Voiturette racing car. Designed by Wifredo Ricart as his second car for Alfa Romeo after V16 engined Alfa Romeo Tipo 162. The car was fist mid engined Alfa Romeo model. This racing car has flat 12 engine (technically speaking it is 180 degree V12) using mid-engine layout. With two Roots type supercharges the engine could produce up to 335 brake horsepower, 225 bhp per litre. The engine had very short stroke compared to other Grands Prix cars at that time, only convert|54.2|mm|in. The car development was finished in 1940 and stopped during World War II, another chassis was built also but this car never raced.

The Tipo 512 was first tested in September 12, 1940 by Alfa Romeo chief test driver Consalvo Sanesi, despite being very powerful its handling was not goodenough.cite book | title=The Alfa Romeo Tradition| last=Borgeson| first=Griffith| date=2002| publisher=Haynes Publishing Group| location=Somerset, England| id=0-85429-875-4] June 19, 1940 Alfa Romeo's test driver Attilio Marinoni was killed while testing 512 suspension fitted to Alfetta 158.Cite web|url=http://forix.autosport.com/8w/rear-engines-prewar.html|title=The rear-engined revolution |accessdate=2008-09-21|work=forix.autosport.com]

Alfa Romeo won the Formula 1 World Championship with Alfetta 158 in 1950, taking the place for which 512 was originally designed.

One complet car is owned by the Alfa Romeo Historical Museum in Arese, Italy.

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