The Romeo was also a very popular base for specialised bodywork, often for advertising. The various curves & creases on the front & side panels enabled some interesting colour combinations to be used. Principal converters included...
Boneschi
Milan based, 1918-date. Produced some stylish bodies pre-war on chassis from Lancia & Alfa Romeo amongst others. Post-war production has centered on functional vehicles such as bullion vans, armour protected cars etc.The van shown is unusual in that it has twin rear doors, the exhaust on the right indicates that this is a diesel version. The wheel arches are widened to give more protection to the bottles & there is a maximum width indicator stalk near the front screen. The similar van in the building has a flat roof style which is perhaps more pleasing to the eye?
Boneschi bodies & conversions were approved by Alfa Romeo & listed in the various factory internal Sales manuals.
Bonfanti
Milan based, 1950s to date, Bonfanti produced some extrovert advertising conversions, as well as blood-donor clinics, police dog vans & hearses on the Romeo & F12. Still family owned, heavily involved in ambulance conversions.The company has recently shown this particular Romeo conversion on their website homepage.
Bonfanti bodies & conversions were approved by Alfa Romeo & listed in the various factory internal Sales manuals.
Borsani
Based in Milan, 1922 to ?Producing mainly bus & coach bodies, Borsani converted at least one of the two Romeos used at the official Romeo launch in 1954. The mini-coach was fitted with roof windows as the VW Samba, with a fairly luxurious interior.
A later version incorporated a full length folding sunroof.
Colli
Colli Brothers of Milano (1931-1972). Best known for the Disco Volante & Giulia Super Promiscua, Colli had an exclusive arrangement to develop & produce Romeo conversions & bodies to be sold through the Alfa Romeo dealer network & for use within Alfa Romeo.Amongst the many conversions on the Romeo were ambulances, mobile clinics & the fleet of fully-fitted mobile training schools supplied in 1960 to Alfa Romeo Inc in the USA.
Fabbrica Scale Lamera
Based in Induno Olona (Varese), FSL produced mobile ladder bodies for street light maintenance etc..FSL were approved by Alfa Romeo & listed in the various factory internal Sales manuals.
Grazia
Based in Bologna, Graziacenza, little is known about this carrozzeria other than that they were active in the 1960s.A Grazia F12 autobar gelateria (ice cream van) was exhibited on the Alfa Romeo stand at the 1969 Turin Industrial Vehicle Show.
Introzzi
Based in Como, Introzzi specialised in bodies & conversions for the retail trade & produced an amazing range of mobile shops & market stalls, as well as mini-coaches, hearses & dustcarts (rubbish collection trucks) based on the Romeo.The A12 chassis was also fitted with car recovery bodies similar to those of Scattolini.
Introzzi bodies & conversions were approved by Alfa Romeo & listed in the various factory internal Sales manuals.
Meccanica Maniero
Based in Padova, Meccanica Maniero produce mobile access platforms, unusual in their day but now an everyday sight.Meccanica Maniero were approved by Alfa Romeo & listed in the various factory internal Sales manuals.
Moretti
Turin based, 1926-1989. Better known for special bodies & styling of Fiats, like many Italian carrozzerie, Moretti also produced both standard conversions on the Romeo & specials to individual customer requirements.
Orlandi
Based in Brescia, 1867 to date, nowadays better known for their trailers, Orlandi produced conversions for municipal authorities, including street washing trucks.Orlandi bodies were approved by Alfa Romeo & listed in the various factory internal Sales manuals.
Scattolini
Based in Valeggio sul Mincio near Verona, from 1939 to date, produced drop-side& tipper bodies in addition to drop-side & transporter bodies on a specially extended A12 chassis. The Scattolini extended drop-side truck appeared in the factory A12 sales brochure.
