Alfa Romeo’s 33 Stradale is the finest piece of Italian sculpture of the 20th century. Such a bold statement could be argued but not easily refuted. The fact that Franco Scaglione’s design was only realized in 18 copies, built between 1967 and 1969, does not detract from the aesthetic impact of this heroic – albeit small – supercar. That was it, because in its time the 33 Stradale (Italian for “road”) set the fastest time for the standing kilometer.
The basis was the Alfa Romeo Tipo 33 race car, wrapped in a beautiful body built by Carrozzeria Marazzi, a small Milanese coachbuilder who had a hand in many interesting projects, including Lamborghini’s Islero from the same period. The 33 Stradale also had, for the first time on a production car, dual-panel doors that can be seen on so many exotics today. Now the reflection of the most beautiful road car Alfa Romeo has ever created is clearly visible in the new 4C Spider 33 Stradale Tributo, created in honor of its legendary mid-engined predecessor.
While the original 33 Stradale was powered by Alfa’s ferocious 2.0-liter V-8 engine and tuned for about 227 horsepower, the Stradale Tributo adds ten horses with a 1,750 cc inline four engine. A featherweight, the small 4C weighs in at less than 2,500 pounds, and is good for a sprint from zero to 100 mph in 4.1 seconds. Few cars offer as much seat-in-the-pants pleasure as the Alfa Romeo 4C. Once entangled in the carbon fiber monocoque, drivers are treated to kart-like handling and the visceral punch of a 237 horsepower blender motor screeching just inches behind the seat.
The 1967 Alfa Romeo 33 Stradale, of which 18 were made.
Photo: Courtesy of Alfa Romeo Automobiles SpA
Some not-so-subtle design touches make the 33 Stradale Tributo even more special. Each one is finished with exclusive Rosso Villa d’Este three-layer exterior paint, a brilliant metallic red familiar to anyone who has seen modern Alfa concepts at the Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este in Italy. The red theme carries over to the carbon fiber monocoque chassis itself, which lights up for the first time with a transparent red finish.
With a carbon fiber monocoque chassis, the new model variant weighs less than 2500 pounds.
Photo: Courtesy of Alfa Romeo Automobiles SpA
In homage to the 33 Stradale’s iconic Campagnolo wheels, the 18- and 19-inch design for the Tributo has five deep holes and is finished in a gray-gold livery like the originals. Bi-xenon headlamps, race-tuned suspension and Akrapovič center-output exhaust add a performance advantage to the vehicle. Composite sports seats in black Dinamica suede and tobacco leather are highlights of the interior, as are special plates: those on the center console with a serial number.
The powertrain includes a 237 hp inline four engine paired with a six-speed dual-clutch transmission, enabling the car to go from zero to 100 km / h in 4.1 seconds.
Photo: Courtesy of Alfa Romeo Automobiles SpA
With only 33 units coming in the United States and priced from $ 79,995, this is certainly the greatest rarity in the brand’s most exclusive model line, which launched in 2014. It is also the last of the 4C Spider to be run in North America.