The legendary Alfa Romeo 33 Stradale of the 1960s is reborn

Alfa Romeo revives the legendary 33 Stradale name of the 1960s as it marks a return to the world of ‘fuoriserie’ cars. A ‘fuoriserie’ (custom-built) car can be type-approved and therefore registered for road use and can also be a capable track-performer.

Only 33 units of the modern Stradale will be made (and all already have customers waiting) by Carrozzeria Touring Superleggera. This company has specialised in coachbuilding since 1926 and can offer an unprecedented level of tailor-made customization to the highest quality standards.

​The coachbuilder will work with ‘Bottega’, a team of Alfa Romeo professionals who interact with customers from the outset to jointly create their 33 Stradale. This is exactly the same way as in Renaissance artisan boutiques and in the 1960s workshops of renowned Italian coachbuilders.

Exclusive VIN
No two cars will be identical, and each one is registered according to an exclusive procedure and with a specific VIN (the international standard Vehicle Identification Number). The first three letters identify the Alfa Romeo ‘ZAR’’ brand, while the following 5 digits were chosen in conjunction with the 33 customers and define the car as ‘33STR’. Finally, the last 8 digits can be customized by the 33 owners and act as the customer’s ‘signature’.

This identification code will be engraved above the central tunnel, with a plate – inspired by its 1960s counterpart – that will be placed in the rear compartment to certify the specificity of components such as the chassis, powertrain, gearbox/battery and monocoque.

Exclusive limited editions
The project demonstrates Alfa Romeo’s approach to the production of exclusive limited editions, via artisan processes, technological innovation and interaction with customers. It allows the carmaker to offer one-of-a-kind in the automotive landscape and within the Stellantis Group while being a volume manufacturer as well.

“With the new 33 Stradale, we wanted to create something that lived up to our past, to serve the brand and to make the Alfisti fandom proud. Such a result could only have been achieved thanks to the expertise, hard work and passion of our team, with the support of management who have the clear ambition to contribute to writing chapters in the brand’s future, in full respect of its unique history. This is the brand’s first custom-built car since 1969, and I promise it won’t be the last,” said  Jean-Philippe Imparato, CEO of the Alfa Romeo brand.

‘Courage and healthy madness’
To realise the 33 Stradale, the essential ingredient required was ‘a good dose of courage and a pinch of healthy madness’. This was the same approach taken the 33 Stradale which was launched in 1967.

The design is the work of Alfa Romeo Centro Stile, which was inspired by the original model. At the same time, certain design elements from Alfa Romeo’s new style language have also been incorporated. Without the aid of active systems, the aerodynamic efficiency has been brought to 0.375 Cd with zero lift.

The front has a powerful and muscular volume, where the standout features are the iconic shield and the complex forms of the lights with their elliptical base. The profile is dynamic and slender, with doors with an ‘elytra’ opening and two large air inlets on the side. The body is projected forward, with surfaces modeled according to the criteria typical of Alfa Romeo’s formal expression.

In addition, courtesy of the corner opening of the doors and the large wraparound sunroof, the driver can enjoy a unique view, very similar to in the cockpit of an airplane. The rear area expresses the strength of the car courtesy of the truncated tail, a V-shaped graphic and the round rear light clusters.

Customers will have a choice of 3 body colours that recall the history of the 33 Stradale. These are the classic pastel Rosso Alfa, a reinterpretation of royal blue, and the more sophisticated tinted clearcoat Rosso, known as ‘Villa d’Este’. The car can also be finished in a white and red livery, as a tribute to the legendary Tipo 33 racing car.

Minimalism of design and materials
The interior is distinguished by minimalism of design and materials, all of which were designed to aim at the greatest possible engagement in the driving experience. In particular, the cockpit was designed with the purpose of minimizing components that could distract the driver, as seen in the limited number of controls.

Directly ahead of the driver is a display, the 3D ‘telescope’ design offers the driver a first-of-its-kind interaction. The steering wheel is devoid of all its usual buttons and as in an airplane cockpit, the controls are located at different levels – with some even in the central lining on the ceiling.

The wraparound seats – upholstered in Poltrona Frau leather – reinterpret those of its forerunner, ensuring comfort and ergonomics. Every detail is designed to create an exclusive and engaging environment, maintaining the aesthetic and technical heritage of the 1967 33 Stradale.

Alfa Romeo’s best engineering
The best of Alfa Romeo engineering is said to be found in this modern 33 Stradale. Besides the double-arm suspension with active shock absorbers, there is also an evolved 2.9-litre V6 engine (used in the Giulia and Stelvio Quadrifoglio).

With twin turbochargers and only combustion engine form, it can produce over 620 ps. Drive will be only at the rear wheels with power delivery through an 8-speed DCT.

Fully electric option as well
Alfa Romeo can also provide the car with a battery electric powertrain that will have over 750 ps. Details of this powertrain are not given other than that it will give an estimated range of 450 kms. It is likely that the electric powertrain will be shared with Maserati (also in the Stellantis Group), which has its Folgore EV range already rolling out.

With either powertrain, the targeted top speed is 333 km/h, with 0 to 100 km/h acceleration in under 3 seconds.

Lightweight structure
The aluminium H-frame and carbonfibre monocoque provide both rigidity and lightness. The roof structure has also been engineered in carbonfibre and aluminium, with hinged butterfly doors. The window frames are also made of carbonfibre, with the rear window closed off by a polycarbonate panel.

F1 driver Bottas involved
All 33 cars will be developed, tested and certified by a team of dedicated engineers, working with the Alfa Romeo F1 team driver, Valtteri Bottas. With his racing experience, the Finnish champion will assess the car’s driving dynamics at the Balocco Proving Ground and offer feedback to the engineers.

The 1967 Alfa Romeo 33 Stradale

The 1967 33 Stradale was derived directly from the Tipo 33, the monarch of world motorsport in that era. Project 33 marked Alfa Romeo’s return to racing with Autodelta, the newly formed racing department. The car collected victories in the Championship for Makes in 1975 and 1977, persuading Alfa Romeo to produce the 33 in a very limited edition for sale. The 33 Stradale remains a legendary model that has marked not only the history of Alfa Romeo, but also that of Italian design.

The ‘mad old woman’ of Alfa Romeo in the 1950s