Alfa Romeo 33

Alfa Romeo 33
Alfa Romeo 33
Manufacturer:	Alfa Romeo
Production:	1983-1994
Body Styles:	FF compact 5-door hatchback & station wagon
Predecessors:	Alfa Romeo Alfasud
Successors:	Alfa Romeo 145/146
Competitors:	Ford Escort Volkswagen Golf
Alfa Romeo 33

The name Alfa Romeo 33 was used for different automobiles produced by the Italian manufacturer Alfa Romeo. From

• 1968 to 1977 it was a Sports car racing prototype [1] that won etc. the Targa Florio,

1983 to 1994 it was a compact between 1983 and 1994

== Race Car ==

=== Alfa Romeo 33/2 ===

The 2000cc Alfa Romeo 33/2 mid-engined prototype debuted on 12 March 1967 at the Belgian hillclimbing event at Fléron, with Teodoro Zeccoli winning. It was powered by a 90° V8 with 1995 cc and 270hp @9600/min, and built with a large diameter tube frame. At the 24 Hours of Daytona, the Porsche 907 were dominating the overall race, but Alfa took the 2-Litre class win, as at the 1000km Nürburgring race with Mario Casoni. In 1968, also a road version is build.

Alfa Romeo 33/3

In 1969 at the 12 Hours of Sebring, the Alfa Romeo 33/3 made its debut. The engine is enlarged to 29988cc and 400 hp @9000/min which puts the 33/3 in the same class as the Porsche 908 and the Ferrari 312P. The chassis is now bulit with a monocoque. In 1970, the bigger 5 Liter Porsche 917 and Ferrari 512 dominate, yet Andrea De Adamich wins the 1000km Zeltweg. In 1971, Nino Vaccarella wins the Targa Florio.

Alfa Romeo 33 TT 12

Versions of the late 1970s called 33 TT 12 have a V12 engine.

Road Car

The Alfa 33 road car was essentially an evolution of its predecessor, the Alfasud, which was based on the same floorplan, chassis and mechanicals. Launched in 1983 as a 5-door hatchback, and a station wagon version (initially badged Giardinetta, later badged SportWagon) was introduced the following year. The hatchback (Berlina) was styled by the Centro Stile Alfa Romeo, Ermano Cressoni, and station wagon was restyled by Pininfarina. The 33 became reknowned for its nimble handling and powerful Boxer engines, but also became equally well-known for its unreliable electrics (a frequent complaint on Italian cars in general at the time).

During its 11 year lifespan the 33 saw two restyles: a mild one in 1987, when the 1.7 litre engine was introduced, and a much more extensive one in 1990, with a heavily restyled exterior (in line with the new Alfa "family look" established by the flagship 164), a revised interior, and the 1.7 litre engine upgraded to a 137 bhp 16 valve version.

The 33 was discontinued in 1994 and replaced by the Alfa Romeo 145 and 146, which used the same Boxer engines but built around an entirely new platform based on the Fiat Tipo.

Single carburettor Engines

• 1.3, 79bhp
• 1.5, 85bhp

Twin carburettor Engines

• 1.3S 86bhp
• 1.5TI 95bhp
• 1.5 95bhp (Gold leaf / oro)
• 1.5QV 105bhp (Green leaf / quadrafoligio)
• 1.7QV 118bhp

Fuel injection Engines

• 1.4 88bhp (some markets under 1.3 logo)
• 1.5 95bhp
• 1.7 107bhp (IE)
• 1.7 16v 137 - 132bhp (QV)
• 1.8 TD 83bhp (3 Cyl)

External links

• Alfa Website also with Racing with History
• 1968 Race results
• 1972 Racing season Alfa vs. Ferrari
• Dutch alfaclub with lots of technical information