page_title: Alfa Romeo
section_title: Carabinieri and Italian government
hierarchical_section_title: Alfa Romeo / Automobiles / Historic models / Carabinieri and Italian government
caption_attribution_description: Italian police "Pantera" Alfa Giulia Super, 1971
context_page_description: Alfa Romeo Automobiles S.p.A. is an Italian premium car manufacturer, was founded on 24 June 1910, as "Anonima Lombarda Fabbrica Automobili", and so the acronym for it is "A.L.F.A.", in Milano, Italy. "Anonima" means "anonymous", and it was a legal form of company at the time, as it was founded by anonymous investors. In the initial set-up phase, in order to have a building to produce cars, the company bought the factory building of Darraq french company in Milan, which was closing up and selling all assets because it was going to fail. The brand is known for sporty vehicles and has been involved in car racing since 1911.
  The first car produced by the company was the 1910 24 HP, designed by Giuseppe Merosi. A.L.F.A. ventured into motor racing, with drivers Franchini and Ronzoni competing in the 1911 Targa Florio with two 24-hp models. In August 1915, the company came under the direction of Neapolitan entrepreneur Nicola Romeo, who converted the factory to produce military hardware for the Italian and Allied war efforts. In 1920, the name of the company was changed to Alfa Romeo with the Torpedo 20–30 HP the first car to be so badged.
context_section_description: In the 1960s, Alfa Romeo became famous for its small cars and models specifically designed for the Italian police and Carabinieri (arm of the Italian armed forces seconded only partly for civilian policing purposes); among them the "Giulia Super" and the 2600 Sprint GT. The colours of the Alfa Romeos used by the Polizia were/are green/blue with white stripes and writing, known as "Pantera" (Panther), enhancing the aggressive look of the cars (particularly the Giulia series), while the Carabinieri Alfas are dark blue with white roofs and red stripes, known as the "Gazzella" (Gazelle) denoting the speed and agility of these "Pattuglie" (patrol cars). However, the term "Pantera" became used interchangeably and the image helped create a no-nonsense, determined and respected perception by the general public of the men that drove these cars, true to their history.
  Since then, Alfa Romeos remain the chosen mount of the Carabinieri, Polizia Autostradale (highway police), Guardia di Finanza (fiscal law enforcement) and the conventional police service (Polizia). Successively, the following Alfa Romeo cars have found favour for Italian police and government employment
  • Alfa Romeo AR51
  • Alfa Romeo Giulia
  • Alfa Romeo Alfetta
  • Alfa Romeo Giulietta
  • Alfa Romeo 33 (Polizia di Stato only)
  • Alfa Romeo 75
  • Alfa Romeo 164 (official vehicles)
  • Alfa Romeo 155
  • Alfa Romeo 156
  • Alfa Romeo 166 (official vehicles)
  • Alfa Romeo 159
  • Alfa Romeo Giulia (Carabinieri, 2 Giulia Quadrifoglio - Polizia di Stato, 2 Giulia Veloce Q4)
  Since the 1960s, the Italian Prime Minister has used Alfa Romeos (and lately the new Maserati Quattroporte) as preferred government limousines. The 164 and 166 have found particular employment in the last two decades.
caption: Italian State Police Flying Squad "Panther" 1971 Alfa Giulia Super
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