The car distributes 1.5 liters of cubic capacity over 8 cylinders. There, the name '158' has its origin; in the course of its long history a 1 was added ('159'). More than 50 years later, a standard model relates back to the racing successes of this model, as for example the world championship in the formula 1 by Farina in 1950, trying to renew the spirit of these olden days.

Particularly in the year 1951 there is a duel between Alfa and Ferrari. After Enzo Ferrari has managed to win the first races of the season he is tempted to claiming that he will kill his mother. What he means is that his own firm is powerful and independent enough to beat Alfa, although Alfa has originally supported and supplied Ferrari with technology. But Enzo's desire does not yet work out. In the decisive Grand Prix in Spain it is Fangio who wins, obtaining for Alfa once again the brand world championship.

The history of the formula 1 does not proceed continuously in the next years. There is a drastic change of the rules regarding the cubic capacities of the engines. According to the old rules it was allowed to have 1.5 liter compressor engines competing against up to 4.5 liter aspirating engines. The FIM takes over the rules from the formula 2 allowing only aspirating engines with up to 2 liters of cubic capacity. Ferrari does not place its odds any longer on its V12 engines, although they have been very successful in the formula 2, but designs a 2-litre four cylinder engine and obtains with Ascari the world championship in the following two years. But Alfa withdraw earlier from motor racing until the mid-eighties. In addition to the fading chances of winning probably mainly the economic situation of the company has forced the decision.