Journal: The T33 S Was A Road-Borne Racer

The T33 S Was A Road-Borne Racer

By Alan Franklin
April 18, 2013

There is no such thing as a hyperbolic adjective when writing about the Alfa Romeo Tipo 33 Stradale. What other word besides “stunning” could fittingly describe its delicate, beautiful lines? How can the elegant complexity of its engineering be conveyed without the use of “exquisite”? “Audacious” seems the only fitting word to explain a purebred racecar with license plates, whose short list of accommodations for street use were so minimal, so impractical as to exclude the fitting of locking doors or even side-view mirrors. “Innovative”, “timeless”, and “mind-numbingly gorgeous” round off this list of grossly inadequate descriptives—like with all great pieces of art the emotions elicited are simply beyond the limitations of human language. If we were face-to-face merely blowing air through our teeth and making weird facial expressions, that would say everything, but since that’s not an option, I’ll try to do it justice with this keyboard.

Launched in very early 1968, the Tipo 33 Stradale was a road-going version of Alfa’s 33 sports racing prototype, one of the firm’s all-time great racecars. Underneath its curvaceous aluminum hips was a mid-mounted V8 displacing only two liters, a tiny package in which quad cams, a dry sump, four ignition coils and 16 spark plugs were fitted. Revving to an operatic 10,000 RPM and capable of roughly 240 HP, it easily eclipsed the 100 HP/liter threshold without the use of forced induction—a figure still celebrated in new engines nearly half a century later.

Only 18 were made during a 16 month-long production period, all entirely by hand. No two examples were identical, with dozens of unique differences on each car reflecting the Stradale’s bespoke nature; for example, placement, size, shape and number of bodywork vents varied, some cars had two wipers while others made do with one, and early cars were built with dual headlights in contrast to the later single-lamp configuration. Five cars were even fitted with individual throttle bodies, the exact specification of which was distinct to the car fitted. Priced at 9,750,000 lire at a time when a brand-new Miura sold for roughly two million less and a middle-class Italian may bring home 300,000 lire annually, the Stradale was pure unobtanium to all but the wealthiest enthusiasts.

Though only 13 inches in diameter, the Stradale’s wheels were eight and nine inches wide, front-to-rear. With a six-speed and 1,500 lb. curb weight, the T33 S took a scant 5 seconds or so to reach 60 MPH, unbelievable for a car of its era. Dihedral or “Butterfly” doors were the first fitted to a street-bound machine, pre-dating the McLaren F1 by two-and-a-half decades.

Built using the Superleggera method, its hand-beaten body panels were placed over a tubular aluminum substructure on which double-wishbone front and trailing arm rear suspensions were used. Because of its incredibly rarity and pricelessness, very few T33 S road tests exist, though from what I gather it drove just like you’d expect a street-registered racecar to—with quick and accurate steering, fantastic brakes and a handling immediacy born of slack-less, rose-jointed suspension components.

Of the 18 built, most were delivered to customers, one was withheld by Alfa for their museum, and six were delivered to Pininfarina, Bertone, and Italdesign to be used as foundations for some of the most outrageous concept cars the world has ever seen.

There’s a recurring dream of mine where I’m driving one through the beautiful vineyard outskirts of Modena in fall, a cool, fragrant breeze wafting through the sliding Perspex windows. The narrow country roads canopied with trees shedding their yellowing leaves which litter the asphalt beneath, forming colorful, rustling vortices in the wake of the yowling, miniature V8’s exhaust, a mecha-organic ballet visible in widescreen through a rear-view mirror vibrating in sympathy with the rising and falling of revs. Realizing that unattainable dream is one of my life’s great motivations, and it keeps me going through the roughest of times. Just seeing one in person someday will do.

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GrantEpperson
GrantEpperson
6 months ago

The Alfa Romeo Tipo 33 Stradale is a unique product and it takes a special person to own it. Don’t worry about poppy playtime chapter 3 because anyone can play it.

Mochammad Ali Wibowo
Mochammad Ali Wibowo
6 years ago

Gorgeous

Marco Pas
Marco Pas
6 years ago

The most beautful car ever crafted.

Michel
Michel
7 years ago

I sat in one back in ’69. Otto Zipper owner of Alfa Romeo in Beverly Hills had one displayed in his showroom. Special Alfa. Real cool.

Scott Murray
Scott Murray
9 years ago
Cade Johnson
Cade Johnson
9 years ago

This car literally brings tears to my eyes… It is absolute perfection- the ultimate “thing.”

Still in my PJs
Still in my PJs
10 years ago

I know I’m late to this party, but, is there somewhere to buy prints?
That shot at the top right is stunning.

Alex Del Olmo Roque
Alex Del Olmo Roque
11 years ago

If I were able to drive this car, to listen to the sound of it and look at it every morning I wake up and come out of bed. I can call myself the luckiest man alive. And ofcourse I would petrolicious invite to make a video of it! What a beautifull car. A real dream.

Rip Curl
Rip Curl
11 years ago

The 33 is a seriously beautiful car. Back in 2006 there was one at Pebble Beach for the concours and was easily my favorite car. It is incredible how small and fragile looking it is. I must have spent an hour looking it over and really knew little about it until reading this article. Thank you for the contribution.

Frederic
Frederic
11 years ago

This car is amazing. As you say, all the 33 are different and I especially appreciate the one you show with the single headlights. This design is so pure and inspiring !

Bryce Womeldurf
Bryce Womeldurf
11 years ago

Beautiful pictures! I didn’t really know of this car until somewhat recently and I just love the looks and the sound of it.

Leucea Alexandru
Leucea Alexandru
11 years ago

There is however one place where everybody can see one. Of course, it’s in Italy, Museo Storico Alfa Romeo. There she stands in her entire beauty..

Rui Filipe Aparício
Rui Filipe Aparício
11 years ago

Here are some more photos of what I think is the same exact car.
Taken at a 2010 classic auto show in Portugal.

Rui Filipe Aparício
Rui Filipe Aparício
11 years ago

Derek Entesano
Derek Entesano
11 years ago

Yep, you guys at Petrolicious sure have good taste! My absolute dream car. I have a slideshow of images on the front page of my site I can’t bring myself to change because I can’t stop looking at it! Just fabulous.
[url=”http://www.alfa-male.com/general_alfa/tipo-33-stradale/”]Your text to link…[/url]

Andreas Lavesson
Andreas Lavesson
11 years ago

The Tipo 33 Stradale is hands down one of the most beautiful cars ever produced. Even though it’s constantly changing, I time and time again find myself thinking that it’s actually [i]the[/i] most beautiful car ever. The styling, the pedigree, the amazing sounding 10.000 RPM V8. I could die happily if I were to just see one. See and hear one in motion would be like dieing and go to heaven. I hazard to even think about sitting in one or, god forbid, driving it.

Peter Olasz
Peter Olasz
11 years ago

totally share your dream … one of my lifetime targets is at least to sit in a Stradale, even if not driving it. it is always nice to remember that my Montreal’s engine was derived from this tiny wonder.

Leucea Alexandru
Leucea Alexandru
11 years ago

One of the most beautiful cars ever made.

Fantuzzi
Fantuzzi
11 years ago

Do you know where that pictures from?

Thanks

Fantuzzi
Fantuzzi
11 years ago

The engines produced varying levels of power, some closer to 250bhp.

Stunning car, perfect in every way.

Dink
Dink
11 years ago

There was another important difference among the cars. While near all Stradales were red, one was delivered in blue, to Count Domenico Agusta (MV Agusta motorcycles). The car was resprayed red by a Japanese collector.
[url=”http://www.alfaclub.eu/forum/viewtopic.php?p=284986#284986″]See some pics of the blue 33[/url].

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