Alfa Romeo celebrates 100th birthday on June 24

Alfa Romeo utterly dominated in very early Formula One competition and many other crazy road racing events of the early 1900's, such as the famous Targa Florio.

Alfa Romeo has also helped form some of the biggest and best racing drivers on the planet. Juan Manuel Fangio from the Fifties raced with Alfa Romeo, and went on to win five Formula One World Driver's Championships.

Then there was Mario Andretti in the famous Marlboro-coloured 179 Afla who raced in the 1981 season, although not that successfully, he then returned to America to achieve huge success in the IndyCar Series and World Sportscar Championships.

And we can't forget the most famous upbringing of all, possibly in the history of the motor vehicle. In 1920, Alfa Romeo placed 2nd in Targa Floria with a young Enzo Ferrari behind the wheel. Enzo proved to be a better team manager rather than a racing driver however, and went on to lead Afla Romeo as team manager. He eventually went on to create his own little racing team, known as Scuderia Ferrari, in 1929.

Alfa Romeo's influence on the automotive world continues to grow today. Although some of their cars have become less the driver's car in the last few years, their products remain as a separate benchmark to all other manufacturers. You only have to look at some of the current crop of Alfas on offer to see the passion in design.

To celebrate their 100th birthday, Alfa Romeo is running a special birthday party in Australia for the very first Alfa Romeo to be made wearing the badge, 'Alfa Romeo' and the only one left in the world; the G1. It is owned by Australian Alfa Romeo importer, Neville Crichton.

To mark the 100th anniversary of Alfa Romeo, Neville Crichton’s Alfa Romeo G1 has returned to Brisbane, the place where it first entered Australia and the state in which it has enjoyed a life every bit as colourful as the company that produced it. Brisbane Alfa Romeo dealer, Euromarque, is throwing a special party for the G1, including a cake with 100 candles!

Meanwhile, the Italian city of Milan will pay homage to the historic car manufacturer by staging four days of events from June 24 to June 27 involving the City Council, Fiera Milano Expo, the Monza Race Track and the Alfa Romeo Museum.

The tribute was organised by the Italian Alfa Romeo Register (RIAR) and MAC Group (Fiat Group Automobiles partner for historical heritage projects), which is all sponsored by Alfa Romeo.

Happy birthday to a fabulous brand, and thanks for the wonderful cars over the years.