Alfa Romeo Tipo 312

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Alfa Romeo Tipo 312
Alfa Romeo 12C 36 1.jpg
Category Grand Prix 3 litre
Constructor Alfa Romeo
Designer(s) Gioacchino Colombo
Technical specifications
Chassis Aluminum tube chassis
Suspension (front)independent, transverse leaf spring and two longitudinal guides
Suspension (rear)independent, transverse leaf spring with hydraulic shock absorbers
Engine Alfa Romeo 2995 cc V12 supercharged 320 hp (239 kW) @ 6500 rpm front engined, longitudinally mounted
Transmission Alfa Four-speed Manual
Competition history
Notable entrants Alfa Corse
Notable drivers Raymond Sommer
Giuseppe Farina
Eugenio Siena
Clemente Biondetti
Carlo Pintacuda
Jean-Pierre Wimille
Gianfranco Comotti
Piero Taruffi
Pietro Ghersi
Debut1938 Tripoli Grand Prix
RacesWins
180

The Alfa Romeo Tipo 312, 312 or 12C-312 was a 3-litre formula racing car that was used in the 1938 Grand Prix season; drivers were Raymond Sommer, Giuseppe Farina, Eugenio Siena, Clemente Biondetti, Carlo Pintacuda, Jean-Pierre Wimille, Gianfranco Comotti, Piero Taruffi and Pietro Ghersi.

Contents

Tipo 312 was one of three Alfa Romeo cars designed for the new rules in 1938, which differed mainly by the engine; the other two cars were the Alfa Romeo Tipo 308 with straight-8 engine and Alfa Romeo Tipo 316 with a V16 engine. The car was based on unsuccessful Alfa Romeo 12C-37; it was made easier to control than its predecessor. The engine in 312 is 3-litre 60° V-12 with roots supercharger, 2 valves/cyl, 2,995  cc (182.8  cu in ) capacity 66 mm × 73 mm (2.60 in × 2.87 in) produced 320 bhp (239 kW) at 6500 rpm; it was more powerful than 308 but it was still not really competitive with German rivals.

Technical Data

Technical data Tipo 308 Tipo 312 Type 316
Engine: 8-cylinder in-line engine 12-cylinder 60° V-engine 16-cylinder 60° V-engine
displacement: 2991 cm³2995 cm³2958 cm³
Bore x stroke: 69 x 100mm66 x 73mm58 x 70 mm
Max power: 295 hp320 hp350 hp
Valve control: 2 overhead camshafts per cylinder row, 2 valves per cylinder
Upload:  Roots compressor
Gearbox: 4-speed manual, transaxle
suspension front: Individual type Dubonnet, coil springs
suspension rear: Pendulum axis, transverse leaf spring
Brakes: Hydraulic drum brakes
Chassis & body: Crate beam frame with
aluminumbody
Fackverkframe with aluminum body
Wheelbase: 280 cm
Dry weight: About 870 kg

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