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Alfa Romeo RL & RM/Chassis Registry/Chassis/RLTF/TF11: Difference between revisions

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Created page with "= Alfa Romeo RL Targa Florio (RLTF) chassis TF11 = {{ChassisEntry | manufacturer = Alfa Romeo | model = Alfa Romeo RL & RM | variant = RL Targa Florio (RLTF) | year = 1924 | chassis = TF11 | engine = 110RS | gearbox = Originally close-ratio competition gearbox; later replaced; reproduction pinions fitted 1966 | body = Unknown (original); reconstructed body by Carrozzeria Riva (Merate) | coachbuilder = Alfa Romeo works competition chassis; 1925 body by A. E. Leadbetter;..."
 
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| registry_page = Alfa Romeo RL & RM/Chassis Registry
| registry_page = Alfa Romeo RL & RM/Chassis Registry
}}
}}
----
== Ownership history ==
{| class="wikitable sortable"
! No. !! Owner !! Location !! Occupation / Notes !! From !! To
|-
| 1 || L.G. Styles || United Kingdom || Appointed Alfa Romeo agent for Great Britain; purchased car in chassis form from Alfa Romeo || Late 1924 || c.1927
|-
| 2 || Hon. Alexander Morton Weir || United Kingdom || Son of Lord Inverforth || July 1927 || April 1928
|-
| 3 || British Alfa Romeo Sales || United Kingdom || Returned to distributor || April 1928 || 1928
|-
| 4 || A. E. Linsley || Harrow, UK || Acquired in part exchange for Bugatti T23 || 1928 || 1932
|-
| 5 || Mr Rawlings || Brighton, UK ||  || c.1932 || 1936
|-
| 6 || Leo E. Flatt || United Kingdom || Repaired and modified car || 1936 || Winter 1938–39
|-
| 7 || Mr Boreham || Crawley, UK ||  || Winter 1938–39 || c.1943
|-
| 8 || Alfred “Twink” Whincop & Monica Whincop || United Kingdom || Vintage enthusiasts || 1943 || March 1945
|-
| 9 || John Godrich || Birmingham, UK ||  || March 1945 || December 1945
|-
| 10 || Walter Allan || Kirk Ella, UK ||  || December 1945 || c.1950
|-
| 11 || Michael Crowley-Milling || Alderley Edge, UK || Vintage car enthusiast; commenced major restoration || c.1950 || 1969
|-
| 12 || Count Giovanni “Johnny” Lurani Cernuschi || Italy || Racing driver, engineer, historian || 1969 || 1995
|-
| 13 || Lurani family estate || Italy || Retained within family collection || 1995 || Present (at time of sale)
|}
----
== Registration history ==
{| class="wikitable sortable"
! Registration !! Location !! From !! To !! Notes
|-
| XX 5060 || United Kingdom || March 1925 || — || First UK registration under L.G. Styles
|-
| UK V5C || United Kingdom || Modern registration || Present || Current UK registration document
|}
----
== Competition history (period) ==
{| class="wikitable sortable"
! Year !! Event !! Driver(s) !! Result !! Notes
|-
| 1924 || Targa Florio || Giuseppe Campari (attributed by some sources) || 4th overall || 6h 46m 51s
|-
| 1924 || Targa Florio || Count Giulio Masetti (attributed by other sources) || 2nd overall || 6h 41m 4s
|-
| 1925 || Kop Hillclimb || Major Charles G. Coe || Class wins || Essex Motor Club
|-
| 1926 || Shelsley Walsh (Amateur Meeting) || Major Charles G. Coe || 2nd in class || 11 July 1926
|-
| 1920s || Brooklands August Meeting || Vittorio Rosa || ~115 mph lap || Works driver appearance
|-
| 1920s || Shelsley Walsh || Vittorio Rosa || 57.4 seconds (unlimited class win) || Also 2nd in sports car class
|}
----
== Appearances and non-competitive events ==
{| class="wikitable sortable"
! Year !! Event !! Driver(s) / Exhibitor !! Notes
|-
| 1955 onward || VSCC events || Michael Crowley-Milling || Regular competitor
|-
| 1966 || International Alfa Romeo Rally, Milan || Crowley-Milling || Gearbox pinions reproduced from Luigi Fusi drawings
|-
| 1977 || Montreux Grand Prix Retrospective || Count Lurani || Presented in restored 1924 Targa Florio configuration
|-
| Various || Mille Miglia Storica || Lurani family || Historic participation
|-
| Recent || Film production (Ferrari biographical short) || — || Used for Targa Florio scenes
|}
----
== Restoration and mechanical history ==
* 1925: Fitted with pointed-tail two-seater sports body by A. E. Leadbetter (London).
* 1930s: Close-ratio gearbox replaced with standard unit; triple-diffuser Zenith carburettors replaced by twin 52mm SU units.
* Late 1930s: Updraught Zenith carburettors refitted; engine detuned at request of owner.
* c.1950–1955: Five-year restoration by Michael Crowley-Milling.
* 1966: Replacement constant-mesh pinions manufactured from original Luigi Fusi drawings.
* 1967: Engine failure (connecting rod through crankcase) following gearing modification.
* 1969–1977: Restored by Count Lurani to 1924 Targa Florio specification; new body constructed by Carrozzeria Riva (Merate).
* Maintained for many years by British specialist Malcolm Gentry.
----
== Attribution and identity discussion ==
Chassis TF11 is described by FIVA documentation as the sole surviving Alfa Romeo works RLTF from the 1924 Targa Florio.
Published accounts differ regarding its original driver in that race:
* Some sources identify the car as Giuseppe Campari’s entry (4th overall).
* Other sources attribute TF11 to Count Giulio Masetti (2nd overall).
Further archival research is required to conclusively establish driver-to-chassis correlation. The identity of TF11 as a 1924 works RLTF chassis is not in dispute.
----
== Historical significance ==
Chassis TF11, engine 110RS, is regarded by FIVA as the sole surviving Alfa Romeo works RLTF from the 1924 Targa Florio.
The RLTF marked Alfa Romeo’s emergence as a dominant force in international road racing and contributed to the establishment of the marque’s enduring competition reputation. The car’s long association with Count Giovanni “Johnny” Lurani Cernuschi further enhances its standing within pre-war motoring history.
----
== Notes ==
* One of four six-cylinder RLTF cars constructed for the 1924 Targa Florio.
* RL total production approximately 2,640 units; RL Sport approximately 537; RLTF competition cars eight (including 1923 team cars).
* Body has existed in multiple configurations; present form reflects careful historical reconstruction.
* Engine no. 110RS documented in auction material.
----
== Sources ==
* Auction catalogue (Estate of Count Giovanni “Johnny” Lurani Cernuschi)
* FIVA Passport no. 027054
* ASI homologation no. 0670 (issued 5.11.73)
* VSCC records
* Period British hillclimb reports
* Secondary historical summary (RL / RLTF development overview)

Latest revision as of 18:31, 16 February 2026

Alfa Romeo RL Targa Florio (RLTF) chassis TF11

[edit]

Alfa Romeo RL & RM chassis TF11 is a 1924 RL Targa Florio (RLTF) bodied by Alfa Romeo works competition chassis; 1925 body by A. E. Leadbetter; later reconstructed by Riva (Merate).

A 1924 Alfa Romeo RL Targa Florio (RLTF), chassis TF11, engine 110RS, regarded as the sole surviving works RLTF entered in the 1924 Targa Florio.

Factory specification

[edit]
  • Engine size (as built): 2,994 cc
  • Engine size (current): 2,994 cc
  • Body style / type (as built): 1924 Targa Florio competition two-seater
  • Body style / type (current): 1924 Targa Florio configuration (reconstructed)
  • Colour (as built): Alfa Romeo works competition livery (period)
  • Colour (current): Red
  • Interior colour (as built): Competition specification
  • Interior colour (current): Competition specification
  • First completed: 1924
  • First delivered: Late 1924 (sold in chassis form to L.G. Styles)
  • First dealer / destination: United Kingdom
  • Original registration: XX 5060 (UK, March 1925)
  • Notes: Works RLTF chassis TF11; engine 110RS; regarded by FIVA as sole surviving 1924 works RLTF; driver attribution in 1924 Targa Florio disputed (Campari / Masetti).

Registry: Alfa Romeo RL & RM/Chassis Registry

Ownership history

[edit]
No. Owner Location Occupation / Notes From To
1 L.G. Styles United Kingdom Appointed Alfa Romeo agent for Great Britain; purchased car in chassis form from Alfa Romeo Late 1924 c.1927
2 Hon. Alexander Morton Weir United Kingdom Son of Lord Inverforth July 1927 April 1928
3 British Alfa Romeo Sales United Kingdom Returned to distributor April 1928 1928
4 A. E. Linsley Harrow, UK Acquired in part exchange for Bugatti T23 1928 1932
5 Mr Rawlings Brighton, UK c.1932 1936
6 Leo E. Flatt United Kingdom Repaired and modified car 1936 Winter 1938–39
7 Mr Boreham Crawley, UK Winter 1938–39 c.1943
8 Alfred “Twink” Whincop & Monica Whincop United Kingdom Vintage enthusiasts 1943 March 1945
9 John Godrich Birmingham, UK March 1945 December 1945
10 Walter Allan Kirk Ella, UK December 1945 c.1950
11 Michael Crowley-Milling Alderley Edge, UK Vintage car enthusiast; commenced major restoration c.1950 1969
12 Count Giovanni “Johnny” Lurani Cernuschi Italy Racing driver, engineer, historian 1969 1995
13 Lurani family estate Italy Retained within family collection 1995 Present (at time of sale)

Registration history

[edit]
Registration Location From To Notes
XX 5060 United Kingdom March 1925 — First UK registration under L.G. Styles
UK V5C United Kingdom Modern registration Present Current UK registration document

Competition history (period)

[edit]
Year Event Driver(s) Result Notes
1924 Targa Florio Giuseppe Campari (attributed by some sources) 4th overall 6h 46m 51s
1924 Targa Florio Count Giulio Masetti (attributed by other sources) 2nd overall 6h 41m 4s
1925 Kop Hillclimb Major Charles G. Coe Class wins Essex Motor Club
1926 Shelsley Walsh (Amateur Meeting) Major Charles G. Coe 2nd in class 11 July 1926
1920s Brooklands August Meeting Vittorio Rosa ~115 mph lap Works driver appearance
1920s Shelsley Walsh Vittorio Rosa 57.4 seconds (unlimited class win) Also 2nd in sports car class

Appearances and non-competitive events

[edit]
Year Event Driver(s) / Exhibitor Notes
1955 onward VSCC events Michael Crowley-Milling Regular competitor
1966 International Alfa Romeo Rally, Milan Crowley-Milling Gearbox pinions reproduced from Luigi Fusi drawings
1977 Montreux Grand Prix Retrospective Count Lurani Presented in restored 1924 Targa Florio configuration
Various Mille Miglia Storica Lurani family Historic participation
Recent Film production (Ferrari biographical short) — Used for Targa Florio scenes

Restoration and mechanical history

[edit]
  • 1925: Fitted with pointed-tail two-seater sports body by A. E. Leadbetter (London).
  • 1930s: Close-ratio gearbox replaced with standard unit; triple-diffuser Zenith carburettors replaced by twin 52mm SU units.
  • Late 1930s: Updraught Zenith carburettors refitted; engine detuned at request of owner.
  • c.1950–1955: Five-year restoration by Michael Crowley-Milling.
  • 1966: Replacement constant-mesh pinions manufactured from original Luigi Fusi drawings.
  • 1967: Engine failure (connecting rod through crankcase) following gearing modification.
  • 1969–1977: Restored by Count Lurani to 1924 Targa Florio specification; new body constructed by Carrozzeria Riva (Merate).
  • Maintained for many years by British specialist Malcolm Gentry.

Attribution and identity discussion

[edit]

Chassis TF11 is described by FIVA documentation as the sole surviving Alfa Romeo works RLTF from the 1924 Targa Florio.

Published accounts differ regarding its original driver in that race:

  • Some sources identify the car as Giuseppe Campari’s entry (4th overall).
  • Other sources attribute TF11 to Count Giulio Masetti (2nd overall).

Further archival research is required to conclusively establish driver-to-chassis correlation. The identity of TF11 as a 1924 works RLTF chassis is not in dispute.

Historical significance

[edit]

Chassis TF11, engine 110RS, is regarded by FIVA as the sole surviving Alfa Romeo works RLTF from the 1924 Targa Florio.

The RLTF marked Alfa Romeo’s emergence as a dominant force in international road racing and contributed to the establishment of the marque’s enduring competition reputation. The car’s long association with Count Giovanni “Johnny” Lurani Cernuschi further enhances its standing within pre-war motoring history.

Notes

[edit]
  • One of four six-cylinder RLTF cars constructed for the 1924 Targa Florio.
  • RL total production approximately 2,640 units; RL Sport approximately 537; RLTF competition cars eight (including 1923 team cars).
  • Body has existed in multiple configurations; present form reflects careful historical reconstruction.
  • Engine no. 110RS documented in auction material.

Sources

[edit]
  • Auction catalogue (Estate of Count Giovanni “Johnny” Lurani Cernuschi)
  • FIVA Passport no. 027054
  • ASI homologation no. 0670 (issued 5.11.73)
  • VSCC records
  • Period British hillclimb reports
  • Secondary historical summary (RL / RLTF development overview)
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