The Alfa Romeo Autotutto was introduced at the 1954 Turin Motor Show, featuring a clearly avant-garde design, as well as independent 4-wheel independent suspension, mid-engine layout, and front wheel drive. This allowed lowering the loading bay floor and having easier access to the cargo, as well as increasing the load space. Both things were key in its success.
It featured the same engine line used by the Giulietta – a gasoline-powered, double camshaft, 1.3-litre straight-four engine producing 35 CV and allowing the Autotutto to reach up to 97 kph. The alternative option was a Roots-type two-cylinder, two-stroke supercharger engine, produced by AVL in Austria, offering 30 CV and a maximum speed of 75 kph (46 mph).
The Romeo 2 was introduced in 1957/58 with no major changes. The factory model featured easy access to the loading bay due to a large rear door as well as a side door on the passenger side. They were often used by government departments as ambulances, police and army vans, etc..
Our options for this release were as diverse as they were attractive. Ultimately, we remained loyal to our competition spirit, and so we chose this 1961 Autotutto Romeo 2, recently restored in rosso corsa colour.
It was produced in Italy in a minibus version, and was used by the Protezione Civile, a government agency that deals with natural disasters. These vehicles usually had very rough lives, which explains why so few have survived, but this is one of them. Thanks to its careful and respectful renovation work we may today enjoy this functional, user-friendly 50s design.
Vicente Arroyo – Excerpt from the AJ-02 booklet
Limited and numered edition of 200 units.
