The first vehicle to bear the Alfa Romeo brand
In 1921, the 23/30 HP, which had been launched into production in 1915, was updated and renamed ‘20-30 ES’ (‘S’ for ‘Sport’). Its displacement, power, and performance had been significantly improved.
Externally, the biggest change was the more rounded shape of the radiator, but the entire bodywork had been modernised (spoked wheels were available upon request). Furthermore, an important novelty
was the electric starter. And, for the first time, this vehicle displayed the Alfa Romeo emblem on the front.
Although it had been specifically designed for the races, the 20-30 ES would also become a point of reference in the category reserved for series vehicles. Its debut came with Antonio Ascari at the 1920
speed race in Gallarate and it ran its last race at the 3 rd Coppa del Garda in 1922 with the unbelievable absolute first place obtained by Vittorio Rosa and Count Caiselli’s record on the Gargnano-Tignale climb.
The victories and placements brought home by Alfa Romeo during this period are almost uncountable, from the Targa Florio to the Mugello Circuit, from the Aosta-Gran San Bernardo race to the Coppa delle
Dame with Baroness Maria Antonietta Avanzo.
When production of the 20-30 ES was discontinued, only 124 chassis had been assembled.
