Alfa Romeo 164 ProCar

About this model

In 1987, Bernie Ecclestone had the idea of a new support series for Formula 1, similar to the BMW M1 Procar series in the '70s. This series would feature silhouette saloon race cars using 3.5-litre naturally-aspirated Formula 1-spec engines, leaving the rest of the mechanicals up to the manufacturer.

Bernie's plan was to entice more manufacturers to join the Grand Circus after competing in the ProCar series, with the excuse that their racing success could be translated into increased sales of their road-going equivalents, despite the regulations essentially allowing closed-bodied F1 cars in the competition.

The only brand that was serious about this venture was Alfa Romeo with the 164 Q4 flagship saloon. It would use a 3.5-litre naturally aspirated V10 engine, transmission and suspension from the contemporary F1 car, mated to an all-wheel-drive system developed in partnership with the Fiat Research Centre. A small rear wing was fitted to try to keep the car on the ground, although the results were pitiful.

While the engine was Alfa Romeo's, Bernie-owned Brabham would develop the car. Two chassis were built - a functional one and a show car built from spare parts from contractual obligations. It was unveiled during the weekend of the 1988 Italian Grand Prix at Monza when Giorgio Francia did a few demonstration laps, reaching 340 km/h at the start/finish straight, thanks to 164's lack of downforce. It also briefly ran at the Balocco test track before being retired at the Alfa Romeo Museum in Arese, next to the second chassis, where they reside to this day. A keen eye can tell them apart by the T.Spark logo fitted at the back of the working chassis.

The 164 ProCar never raced because there no other manufacturers were interested. The reasons given were that the cars would be too dangerous and unstable at high speeds, the business of reusing old F1 components into the new race cars was very costly and risky, and bad results or accidents in the series would hinder the model's image and negatively affect sales.

The V10 engine was intended to be used in the Alfa Romeo SE 048SP Group C race car and was tested on a Lancia LC2. However, the Alfa ended up using a Ferrari V12, although it was never finished - to this day it has a wooden gearbox as a placeholder.

(In collaboration with @carhistorian)