The legend started in 1910, when Cavalier Ugo Stella acquired the shares of Società Italiana Automobili Darraq, the Italian plant of a French car maker. The first plant was at number 95 Strada del Portello in the north-west outskirts of Milan and the company was called “Anonima Lombarda Fabbrica Automobili” (Lombard Automobile Factory, Public Company), hence the acronym A.L.F.A. The first car - the 24 HP - was made the same year. Designed by Giuseppe Merosi, with 4 cylinders and 4 litres, it could reach a top speed of 100 Km/h.