The ; ) is the brand used by the Italian auto manufacturer Alfa Romeo to indicate a high performance model. The Quadrifoglio is usually placed on the side panels of the car, above or behind the front wheels—on the front wings in the case of modern vehicles. The logo consists of a green four-leaf clover contained in a triangle.
History
The four-leaf clover symbol appeared for the first time on one of the four RL Targa Florio autos in 1923.[1] This auto was specially prepared by Giuseppe Merosi for the Targa Florio in Sicily, considered the most prestigious auto racing competition at the time. Despite high aspirations, major success at racing eluded Alfa Romeo until this time. Alfa had won some class victories and minor competitions, but due to inexperience and misfortune Alfa had not won a major international event. For the Targa Florio of 1923, Merosi developed four cars, entrusting them to Antonio Ascari, Enzo Ferrari, Giulio Masetti and Ugo Sivocci. Sivocci, Ferrari's discoverer and friend, was a pilot of great experience and technical competence, but had poor luck and was considered l'eterno secondo (Italian for 'the eternal second'). To ward away his misfortune, Sivocci had painted on the grille of his car a white square in which stood a green four-leaf clover.