In motorsports, the Alfa Romeo 158 is legendary. It is regarded as one of the greatest Grand Prix vehicles ever. Up until World War II, it was a success in the voiturette class after it began racing in 1937. In the first season of Formula One, which began in 1950, a driver in a 158 won every race. Finally, Juan Manuel Fangio won the driver’s championship in 1951 driving the Alfa Romeo 159, an upgraded version of the 158.
If you’re a fan of the 158 and feel the need to own one, you’ll probably have to shell out some serious cash to get your hands on an authentic, vintage race car. The likelihood that you won’t be able to drive it on public roads is much greater, which is more important.
However, the British company Dowsetts Classic Cars has discovered a way to make your desire for a pre-war automobile more dependable and affordable. The second-generation Mazda MX-5 Miata NB serves as the basis for the kit car tribute to the legendary Alfa race car known as the Tipo 84.
Your Tipo 184 build can be started in one of three ways. On the Tipo 184 website, you can purchase a starter kit and begin your build with a donor Mazda MX-5 Miata. You will have to pay £12,075 (roughly $14,500) for the starter kit in addition to the price of a donor car and any additional parts required for the build.
Or, you can already spend £19,995 (about $24,000), which is the cost of the entire Tipo 184 kit, in one go. For £50,000 (roughly $60,360), you can order a turnkey car from Dowsetts if you don’t want to build the car yourself.
The Dowsetts Tipo 184 is the brainchild of veteran engineer and car builder Darren Collins and Wheeler Dealer and TV mechanic Ant Anstead. Oh, and in case you’re wondering how it got its name, the Alfa 158’s eight cylinders and 1.5-liter engine. The 1.8-liter, four-cylinder Tipo 184 engine is an exact replica of the NB Miata’s engine.