Mainly in sportscars, with a few single-seater events in Italy, including the 1960 Italian Grand Prix, one of many taking advantage of a dispute between the British entrants and the organisers to make their Grand Prix debut. Alfonso also held US citizenship, moving to the US with his family, who ran an embroidery business in Naples, when Benito Mussolini came to power in Italy. In the 1950's, Alfonso lived in both countries, competing in SCCA events in the US and Italian road races, and was a long-time test driver for Abarth. In 1957, he won his class at the Mille Miglia. Known in the US as Alphonse, Thiele was based in Hudson, New Jersey, and served in the US Army as a 2nd Lieutenant. Thiele carried on racing, mainly in Italy until 1964. During World War Two, whilst serving in Italy for the US Army, Thiele was also a captain of the Office of Strategic Services of Italian anti-fascist partisan, where he met his wife Walkiria Terradura, another partisan who was decorated for bravery and who died, aged 99, in 2023.

Biography last updated 15 Mar 2026