The Alfa shown here was one of a set of single seat racing cars brought out by Dinky in the early 1950s, the earliest examples featuring a two digit + one letter code stamped onto the metal base plate. Later examples of the same toy would feature just a 3 numeric code instead. This toy represents the all-conquering Alfa Romeo Tipo 158/159 as raced by the Alfa team immediately prior to WW2 and in the years afterwards, enjoying considerable success in the process. The 158/9 featured a supercharged straight 8 engine and regularly won against opposition from Ferrari and the British teams of the period.