As the Italian brand gets ready to celebrate its 110th anniversary on June 24, we’re looking at five favourite models by Ralph Gilles, the head of design of Fiat Chrysler, owner of Alfa Romeo.

For Gillies, picking his favourite Alfa Romeos was difficult.

“There are so many significant and beautiful models that have graced the world over the last 110 years. To me there are several Alfas that are more significant than others,” he said in a story he wrote to celebrate the anniversary.

“I measure this simply by the fact that we still refer to them today, whether it be for design inspiration as we continue to carefully manage its DNA or in conversations with Alfisti [an Alfa Romeo fan and the general community of enthusiasts.”

Here are five of his favourites and why he picked them.

1937 Alfa Romeo 8C 2900

“The 8C is an Alfa that has won the most significant concours d’elegance around the world, and it is so beautiful that most owners of other cars at concourses dread its presence. Extremely photogenic, and even better to behold in person, the 8C has helped establish the premium side of Alfa Romeo’s DNA.”

Alfa Romeo Giulia TZ (1964)/TZ2 (1965)

“This car truly blurred the line between street car and race car, essentially starting the trend of form following purpose that we still exploit today. The TZ was a tube-framed race car with carefully thought out weight distribution and aerodynamic principles that made it a very successful race car as well as a stunning road car. The TZ could have been a homologation special car as we understand them today. The TZ2, which came only a year later, improved on the design by adding a sunken cockpit. One of the most endearing details of the design is the cut-o rear end that still inspires designers today.“

1967 Alfa Romeo Tipo 33 Stradale

“My and many designers’ favourite Alfa Romeo design of all time. Considered by many to be the first supercar ... essentially a road-going version of the racecar. Its design was clearly about performance and its layout was an extreme departure for the times, with an innovative mid-engine configuration and ground-hugging proportions in the search for the lowest centre of gravity possible.

“For my eye it is the beautifully sculpted shapes, which seem to evoke the curves of a woman’s body. I also appreciate its very clean design that is not polluted by extraneous holes and vents. A breathtaking sculpture to see in person. It continues to inspire us and its spirit lives on in the modern-day 4C. Perhaps it has inspired many others as most supercars still honour its proportions.”

1970 Alfa Romeo Montreal

“Although first shown as a concept car at the Montreal Expo in 1967, the production version was faithful to the eye-catching concept, with its semi-concealed head lamps. The designers used those distinctive B-pillar slots to celebrate some of the mid-engine magic that was becoming the rage in Italian design at the time. But as a feat of packaging the car actually manages to carry a sizeable V8 under the front bonnet. It has become a designer’s favourite. If not the prettiest of Alfas, it is certainly one of the most memorable.“

2013 Alfa Romeo 4C

“This car will be a future collectible, if it isn’t already. Such an interesting carrier of the Alfa DNA in spirit and in design. The passion of Alfa Romeo engineers shows through in the extreme proportions, the carbon fibre tub and the obsession with weight savings. The design is provocative, as it stirs the soul like cars costing five times its price. For me it is about the presence of the car – it is impossible to ignore and not want to applaud its very existence. Viva Alfa Romeo! “

Article courtesy of Alfa Romeo Media