Cars
1913. The Siluro: dressed for speed. Born of an idea by Count Ricotti
Count Mario Ricotti, a Milanese aristocrat, wanted to create a superfast, aerodynamic version of an ordinary Alfa Romeo 40/60 in 1914, reflecting the Italian
Speed was one of the key symbols of the Italian Futurist movement. This helps to explain why, in 1914, an eccentric Milanese aristocrat called Count Mario Ricotti decided to transform an ordinary Alfa Romeo 40/60 into a superfast, aerodynamic, torpedo-shaped version.
A veritable SUV: remarkable and groundbreaking.
What might seem surprising, though, is that Castagna, the coachbuilder entrusted with realising the project, decided to retain much of the original vehicle – the hood, controls and seats –, enclosing these in a teardrop-shaped structure that was given a futuristic appearance by the unusual curvature of the windows, including the side ones.
