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.

Alfa Romeo Tipo 312
CategoryGrand Prix 3 litre
ConstructorAlfa Romeo
Designer(s)Gioacchino Colombo
Production1938
Technical specifications
ChassisAluminum tube chassis
Suspension (front)independent, transverse leaf spring and two longitudinal guides
Suspension (rear)independent, transverse leaf spring with hydraulic shock absorbers
EngineAlfa Romeo 2995 cc V12 supercharged 320 hp (239 kW) @ 6500 rpm front engined, longitudinally mounted
TransmissionAlfa Four-speed Manual
Competition history
Notable entrantsAlfa Corse
Notable driversRaymond Sommer
Giuseppe Farina
Eugenio Siena
Clemente Biondetti
Carlo Pintacuda
Jean-Pierre Wimille
Gianfranco Comotti
Piero Taruffi
Pietro Ghersi
Debut1938 Tripoli Grand Prix
RacesWins
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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

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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 cm³ 2995 cm³ 2958 cm³
Bore x stroke:  69 x 100mm 66 x 73mm 58 x 70 mm
Max power:  295 hp 320 hp 350 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

References

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