An iconic car, the perfect blend of leading-edge technology, racing mechanics and a unique style. The 33 Stradale turns 50 years of age. This great Alfa Romeo was presented on 31 August 1967, on the eve of the Italian Formula 1 Grand Prixat the Monza circuit, befitting its ideal expression of the bond between the racing world and on-road cars. A bond confirmed by its proud adoption of the "quadrifoglio", the famous-four leaf clover badge first used by Ugo Sivocci in 1923 and featured, from the Sixties, as an official symbol on the Alfa cars with the most supreme sporting performances, such as the Giulia Q.
The 33 Stradale's timeless beauty, created by the genius of Franco Scaglione, and the technology directly derived from the Tipo 33, make it one of Alfa Romeo's most representative icons, a superlative member of a family of cars born to win.
This car, and the 33 project of racing cars which brought Alfa Romeo a long series of amazing successes in general, is being commemorated by the Museo Storico Alfa Romeo in Arese in a temporary exhibition, a 33-step itinerary that retraces their history, the leading characters involved, and the successes achieved.
Starting, naturally, from the cars themselves, and first and foremost from the prototype of the 33 Stradale, on permanent exhibition in the Museum in the most prestigious position, right in front of the gigantic illuminated installation that portrays the Alfa Romeo DNA. The 33 Stradale is a model still revered today for epitomising a perfect balance between refined mechanics and their stylish cladding, in a symbiosis encapsulated in one of the Brand's favourite expressions: “Necessary beauty”.
The exhibition continues with five of the 6 concept cars derived from the 33 chassis, created by great masters of car design: Carabo, Iguana, 33/2 Speciale, Cuneo and Navajo. Followed by the 33/2 Daytona, 33/3, 33 TT12 and 33 SC12 turbo racing cars. And many more chapters of a history that has had a lasting influence on all Alfa Romeo output, from 1967 to the present day.
The exhibition, curated by the Museo Storico in Arese, is entitled “33 La bellezza necessaria” [33: Necessary Beauty] and will be open for viewing from 31 August during Museum opening hours (10 am to 6 pm daily, closed on Tuesdays).
It is the first of a programme of events the Museum, the Alfa Romeo brand and FCA Heritage - the Group department dedicated to promoting the historic legacy of FCA's Italian brands – will be dedicating to the 33 Stradale's 50th anniversary, underlining the bond between history, an endless source of inspiration for the creation of new models, and the future, balancing innovation with the conservation of the genetic heritage that gives every Alfa Romeo model its uniquely recognisable identity.
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Read the interview to Giovanna Scaglione
