Pete05
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With renewed confidence following the improved competitiveness of the 12C-36, work was started on an evolution of the 12C for 1937. Subtle changes were made to the chassis to improve the handling, but most time was spent improving the engine's performance. The displacement was increased to 4.5 litres and with the help of newly developed twin-stage Superchargers the 12C-37 produced a hefty 430 bhp. Before 1937 was over both Vittorio Jano and Enzo Ferrari had left the Milanese company and in 1938 Tazio Nuvolari also took off to join Auto Union.
The big V12 engined 12C-37 was left obsolete after only a few months of racing because of drastic rule changes. Many of the 8C and 12C cars were disassembled and rebuilt to comply with the new three litre regulations. After World War 2, Clemar Bucci, and Argentinian gentleman racer, purchased a 12C-37 from the Works to race in the popular South American Formula Libre races. Surprisingly many Alfa Romeo racing cars had survived the War, carefully hidden away. The cars were brought back to running order and at least one of the Tipo C chassis was equipped again with it's V12 engine, which was later sold to Bucci. In 1995 a V12 engined Alfa Romeo was retrieved from Argentina and completely restored by Symbolic Motors. A few years later a second car was also sourced from Bucci, which not surprisingly has led to a discussion whether both cars were built by the factory or whether one was built from spares in Argentina. There is evidence supporting both theories.
ENGINE
Configuration
V12
Location
Front, longitudinally mounted
Construction
Aluminium block and heads
Displacement
4495 cc / 274.3 cu in
Bore / Stroke
72.0 mm (2.8") x 92.0 mm (3.6")
Compression
7.3:1
Valvetrain
2 valves per cylinder, DOHC
Fuel feed
2 x Weber carburettors
Aspiration
Twin Roots-Type Superchargers
Power
430 bhp / 321 kW @ 5800 rpm
DRIVETRAIN
Chassis
Aluminium body on steel ladder frame
Front suspension
Transverse arms, coil springs, hydraulic dampers
Rear suspension
Swing axles, transverse semi-elliptic leaf springs, hydraulic telescopic dampers, friction dampers
Steering
Worm and sector
Brakes
Drums, all-round
Gearbox
4-speed manual
DIMENSIONS
Weight
810 kg / 1785.7 lbs
Length
4240 mm / 166.9"
Height
1130 mm / 44.5"
Wheelbase
2800 mm / 110.2"
Front track
1370 mm / 53.9"
Rear track
1430 mm / 56.3"
http://www.kolumbus.fi/leif.snellman/c1.htm
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alfa_Romeo_12C
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