A12 & F12 Production numbers

[Tony Stevens <tony@domain.elided>]

Production details of the A12 & F12 are probably available from within
AR, although they seem nowadays to be reluctant to disclose general
information not specific to an individual vehicle, perhaps due to work
overload?. The following information has been gathered over the years
from various reliable sources & official publications.

Perhaps it is as well to explain to the non-believers that the "A"
prefix denotes "Autocarro" or truck, while the "F" prefix denotes
"Forgone" or van

Incidentally, there was also an A11 & F11, a "tax efficient" version for
use in towns & cities. 

The A12 & F12 were directly descended from the Romeo range which was
originally introduced in 1954 at the Turin Motor Show.

The Romeo "Autotutto" (all purpose vehicle) was Giulietta based in that
it used a Giulietta engine with a single choke Solex carb, detuned to
give 35bhp, linked to a ZF 4 speed FWD transaxle. Suspension was
independant all round, front wishbones with a transverse leaf spring &
rear trailing arms controlled by transverse torsion bars. There was a
diesel version which seems to have been somewhat of a disaster in that
it was underpowered & exceedingly slow in both acceleration & top speed.
Many diesels were converted to petrol very early in their life.

The Romeo was available in multitude of standard factory body styles,
single cab, double cab, pick up, ambulance, bus, school bus etc etc, as
well as with many custom bodies, especially for advertising &
promotional use. Front doors were rear-hinged, with wind up windows.
There is an uncanny resemblance to the early VW range of body options,
even as far as both offerring curved panoramic roof windows in the bus
versions, great minds thinking alike? I don't know whether AR or VW
introduced their range first.

The "Romeo 2" was introduced in about 1956, to be replaced by the "Romeo
3" in about 1966 - although it was badged simply as "Romeo".
Contemporary publications show no noticeable differences, perhaps it was
more of a marketing relaunch exercise.

The "Romeo 3" was in essence a Romeo body mounted on A12/F12 mechanics,
& was very quickly superceded by the actual A12 & F12.

The A12/F12 differed from the Romeo in that the doors were now
conventional front-hinged, & the revised front panel incorporated the
Giulia Super front centre grille. Mechanical differences were that the
engine was Giulia 1300 derived giving 60 bhp, with what I understand to
be an AR produced 4 speed transaxle. Rear suspension was as on the
Romeo. Front disc brakes & strengthened drive shafts completed the
update. AR learnt from the Romeo diesel saga in that the A12/F12 was
offerred with a UK made Perkins diesel, as in the Giulia saloon. 

The Diesel A12/F12 was also produced during the 1970's under licence in
Spain by Ebro as the F100

A12/F12 production continued up to the mid 1970's by which time it's
1950's origins were getting very dated. The majority of Romeo & A12/F12
production was destined for military & state run organisations. Most
potential business customers opted for the Fiat equivalents which sold
in great numbers at significantly lower prices.  

If you have never seen a Romeo or an A12/F12, think of a VW camper with
an Alfa grille & you won't be far out!

Hoping that this of interest to the historically &/or odd-ball minded
Alfisti

Tony Stevens
Belper, GB
'58 Romeo 2 Ambulance (petrol) - see photo on www.alfastop.co.uk
'58 Romeo 2 Blood Donor Clinic (originally diesel, now petrol)
'61 Romeo 2 truck (petrol)
+ 50% of circa '66 Romeo 3 which went over a cliff!


In message , Antti Korhonen <antti.korhonen@domain.elided> writes
>Hi!
>I was wondering if someone would know how many A- or F12 -series vans
>were made, with what engines/transmissions/carburerators/etc. and in
>which years?
>Ps. Thanks for your previous help in my search for F12-info!
>
>Antti Korhonen
>1968 1750 Berlina
>1972 F12 Ambulance
>

- -- 
Tony Stevens    http://www.alfastop.co.uk
ALFA STOP, POBox 50, Belper DE56 1AS, UK
Tel: +44 (0)177 382 2000
Fax: +44 (0)177 382 1900

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