If I said there was a mid-engine Alfa Romeo sporting a motorsports livery for sale, you’d no doubt jump at the opportunity to buy it. However, you almost certainly would not expect it to be a van, like this 1973 F12 Furgone.
For North American readers, the name Alfa Romeo normally elicits images of Duettos, Giulias, and other exquisite, sporty classics. However, the company has a history of making various kinds of vehicles, like its Autotuotto line of “all-purpose” light trucks, to which this van belongs.
The F12 Furgone made its debut in 1967, and this example is from 1973. Its early career saw operating as a support vehicle for the Moto Villa motorcycle racing team that dominated the 250 cc motocross racing class in the ’70s, and was the Italian champion in 1975, 1976, and 1977.
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After its services were no longer needed, the van went into storage until 2016, when it was purchased by Ed Seymour, a noted Alfa Romeo restorer. He gave it a full nut-and-bolt restoration, and it was later refined when it became part of a noted Southern California collection.
Now sporting an Autodelta livery, that is a reference to Alfa Romeo’s legendary competition department. Established in 1961, it was behind some of the brand’s most legendary vehicles, like the T33/3 that competed at the Targa Florio in 1971.
Restored to show standards, power for the F12 Furgone comes from a 1,290 cc DOHC inline four with a single Solex downdraft carburetor that produced a whopping 52 hp (39 kW/53 PS). In addition, it also comes with a 1.3-liter 750-Series Alfa Romeo display engine from 1958, to complete the utilitarian fantasy of this van.
Set to be sold at Gooding & Company’s August 18-19 Pebble Beach Auction, the Alfa Romeo F12 is expected to go for a pretty penny. Estimate suggest that it will sell for $100,000 to $130,000, but it is being offered without reserve.
