5 Things You Didn't Know About the Alfa Romeo 33
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- Опубліковано 24 бер 2022
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The #Alfa33 is one of #AlfaRomeo 's greatest commercial successes, with nearly a million units sold over its twelve years in production.
It replaced the Alfasud but, due to Alfa Romeo's precarious financial position, retained its predecessor's floorpan and running gear. Yet, Alfa's Centro Stile, then directed by Ermanno Cressoni, successfully managed to give the new 33 a distinctive, fresh, and more upmarket image that lured many new customers to Alfa Romeo. #boxerengine
As the last 33s rolled off the Pomigliano d'Arco production line in 1995, the model is now part of the Marque's history, so let's discover five things you probably didn't know about the Alfa 33.
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A red 1.7 QV was my second car after a Trabant which in the early 90s every young East German could afford for the price of a cheap bicycle. So it was a giant leap to get an '89 Alfa 33 as a 19 year old. A giant leap, love at first sight with a wooden Momo steering wheel and a wooden gear knob. The boxer was revving and revving... when it was revving at all. Because the 33 was a nightmare as well confirming all the bad Alfa clichés that I didn't even know about in those days. Love and hate driving me crazy on a week to week basis. But love finally seems to have taken over. I'm still here. Enjoying my Giulietta after almost 20 years of not owning car at all.
Some ppl said owning an Alfa is basically owning a car with human-like imperfections and soul. Not many people are very patient in dealing with its issues and spending lots of money to keep an Alfa Romeo car running optimally for years.
I remember going to a party as a passenger of a 33 1.7 QV some 15 years ago. The car was driving like crazy, it was a joy to drive through the night. It is a pity I could not drive it...
"The car was driving like crazy", I didn't realise the 33 could drive itself. Talk about ahead of the game! I do suspect autonomous cars are still a long way in the future and if they bring them in too soon there will be carnage on the roads before they are banned.
Amazing little cars! And the best part was that at the time, they weren't expensive at all.
It was a great way to own a nice, stylish car, without breaking the Bank!
Driving a 33 is a big pleasure. Thanks for another fine video, Matteo.
My pleasure, thank you for watching!
The car I desired for a long time but never brave enough to get - I started late in 2006 with my first AR - a147 Jtd face-lift. So since then I'm a late but proud Alfista facing my 3rd one with the Tonale hopefully soon❤️🍀
Absolutely loved my1993 Alfa Romeo 33 1.7 16v Sports wagon such a great car..💕👍
Couldn't agree more!Thank you!
My first ever Alfa! Cracking little motor: the 1.7 boxer engine had serious poke for a small car and sounded wonderful - like a mini-Busso. (Have had another four Alfas since, including my current 20 year old GTV 3 litre V6. I ought to sell it: too quick for me now I'm 65 😢)
Ahhh one of my favorite Alfas❤️
Owning two 33 at the moment. Both in Grigio Ardesia, 1x 1990 very early 1.3 VL Import from Turin( my First Car) and since 3 weeks a 1991 1.4 IE Project that’s under construction right now.
Very nice! Does the 1.4 IE need much work?
@@Matteo_Licata more or less, some body work is already done like rust protection and so on, big service is needed because it’s of the road since 2017. Brakes, Oil, Coolant etc. Already have a new set of Period correct wheels combinated with lowering Springs. Fun project so far and I can say I love Easy repairable cars of that period.❤️🚗
Torino or Turin 😉
@@nessuno5403 yeah auto correct 🙄
I have a great memories about Alfa 33. My father had one in early 90's. Thanks to this car my love to Alfa was born! :)
Such a great car!!
Our first Alfa Romeo in the family was the 33 1.5 boxer engine from 1990 (face lift version). A real cuero sportivo, better than most of the gti car of this period.
We used to have a 33 SW 1.3 and what a car it was. Still love the 33 and all Alfa’s of that period. Great channel!
Thank you very much! :)
I drove a few early 1.5 models with carburettors and drove nearly all the facelift range round Silverstone Club Circuit on an Alfa day in September 1991. That was great fun and the car was much improved with the 1.7 injected engine. I'd happily drive one now, it would still be a rewarding car to drive.
Cool. Must have been a lot of fun on the track that day!
@@Matteo_Licata I drove down there in a white 164 Cloverleaf and we had the whole range to play with ( they were Alfa UK staff cars). The day was run by the late Will Hoy( on behalf of Alfa UK) who had been a BTCC champion. As well as driving we also had rides with racing drivers and that was an eye opener. As guests we were far more careful not to abuse the hospitality of Alfa UK, but the professional drivers could let loose. Oversteering in a 164 was.....interesting😁
I love the 33.... my first Alfa (after 3 previous Fiats). It was a 1986 1.5 Ti. It was the car I got married with and started our family, sweet memories. I would sometimes go outside and start the engine....just to listen to that flat 4, best sounding 4 cylinder ever.
Haha, a friend of mine did the same
Right on!
Matteo Licata, thank you for this video, however, its really short. Perhaps do a video of the 33 which also includes the Alfasud. Keep up the good work.
Great video, my favourite Alfa Romeo.
Glad you enjoyed it, thank you!
I owned 2 Alfasud 1.3 SC and one 33 1.5 4x4 two carburetors... How i regret this sound... Thanks signore Hruska for such marvelous motor ... Forza 🇮🇹
That 3 door concept looked very interesting indeed. Another good episode and learned something new! Keep up the good work and grazie!
Glad you enjoyed it, thank you!
My first car. I have had 2 of them, a 1983 MY and a 1990 MY, both 1.3 litres 90hp.
FY?
@@nessuno5403 I meant MY, apologies,
Still gorgeous.Was a cut above back then,much nicer than a boring Golf...
I am so happy that didn't dump my father's 33 blue line despite being only a weak 1200cc! 💘
Your videos are pure delight
Thank you so much! Glad you like them!!
I love the design of the last facelifted version (1991-1994)
My favorite as well.
Personally, I prefer the earliest ones (1983-86), at least from a design standpoint.
Best car ever! I'm very happy to use a 1.5 IE from '92 as daily driver!
Cool! Verde Mirto?
@@Matteo_Licata Yes!! Great fun all the time 💪
The boxer engined Alfas introduced me to the marque with my first 1984 Alfa Sprint QV in 1994 and I have continuously owned Alfas ever since. My 1988 33 1.7ie is still the favourite of all the cars I have owned over the last 30+ years. Great performance, excellent reliability, terrific handling and surprising economy made it a brilliant package. Interestingly It was a much better car to own and drive than the 33 Permanent 4 I owned subsequently. I have now come full circle and I’m currently enjoying my 1986 Sprint 1.5 QV which is great fun and puts a smile on my face every time I drive it..
The car of my childhood.... The car that I've learned to drive...The car that made me an Alfista...
👍🏼👍🏼
Alfista (singular) 😉
@@nessuno5403 Corrected! Thanks!
I still have a 33 SW 1.7 that I bought used in 1992. Great car, original engine and clutch, no oil consumption. I did all maintenance myself including replacement of timing belts ... ouch.... it drives to well to get rid of
The 33 & 75/Milano have the same design language. It’s a polarizing look, especially the 75, but I like it.
I think the 33 is very underrated and tragically ignored by the classic car fraternity. Definitely deserves more recognition considering how it drives
Agreed!
I will second that. Finally I think the Alfa 33 is slowly being recognised...
I had 3 33's over the years amongst a few other Alfa's.
I had a grotty early saloon in Champagne gold, a Zender kitted 1.5 saloon in Aston Balmoral green and a mint gold sport wagon slope front.
The Green car was a beauty, very rapid cross country, even impressed my mate who had a quick Cossy sierra.
Also owned 155s, a grey 145 and a 72 Giulia.
Always made money on them when I sold them as well.
Cool! That's great to hear, thank you for sharing!
One of my regrets is that I got to drive my father's 33 only when it was already in a bad shape after too many km and above all after it took a lot of abuse by my brother... the noise the boxer made was still nice though.
A 6th thing you probably didn't know about the Alfa 33: Of any car on sale back then, the 33 1.7 16v Q offered probably the most near-death experiences per 1000 miles to a 25-year old. The relationship I had with mine was both abusive and dysfunctional. It tried to kill me on several occasions and broke down constantly, but I loved it more than any car I ever had. Too bad that a good and original 16v is almost impossible to find today. Great video again!
I had three 33s and no regrets. A 1991 1.7 8V, a 1990 1.7 16V and for nine years I ran a 1991 1.7 16V (last year before catalytic converters) 137hp P4. Great fun. I moved on to a Cloverleaf 145 Twin Spark with 155hp. Even more fun, a complete go-kart with incredibly direct steering.
What a great car with a great engine... It's always a pleasure to drive my 33 1.5
Another great video. The Alfa 33 is the car which started my love affair with Alfa Romeo and I still own two of them. I had the rare Permanent 4 version, which came alive on wet or snowy roads but otherwise felt slower than my original 1.7 I. E. with the 8v engine. I now have a rare Swiss market 105 PS model built in 1987 with a Catalyst! I found another 1.7 I.E. too which I bought from the original owner who had given up his licence at 86 years old. These cars I will never sell.
Wow, that's cool! It's great to hear about your love for these little Alfas and congratulations on your cars!
I had one of the last ones on the road in the UK. A white 1.7 boxer. Had it for over 20 years and I did over 100k in it. Great car
Nice one!
The 905 Series ..My favorite ..Thnxs for the Video ..
Mine too!
A nice car. I had one on "test" for 48 hours and really enjoyed it.
Alfa Romeo has such an interesting history and such a romantic image.
Indeed. That's why I love so much to study it :)
So Alfa had a hybrid well before Toyota!! That's awesome.
Indeed!
Alfa Romeo 33 PHEV in 1988, only this one I didnt know, and its amazing!!
I love the video, congratulations!!😊👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻
Forza 33!!🍀🍀🍀
Awesome! Thank you!
Bel concentrato di notizie sulla 33!!!! La coupé mi mancava ❤️🇮🇹🍀💪🎉
Grazie!!!
Lovely thing the 33, as a kid I had a poster of it in my bedroom next to the mandatory F40 and Countach, quite good company. That PPG green looks rather similar to one of the launch colours of the Fiat Tipo in 87-88.
I love the 33 - especially the Sportwagon, a car I very nearly bought……..a 145 won out instead!
The SportWagon was a cool product indeed, I agree!
My friend had Alfa 33, 1,7 l. That engine run like nothing. No oil consumption, no oil leaks, perfection of a car that was.
Very interesting, the three door looked stunning. But wasn't the Arna intended to replace the Alfasud and the 33 placed higher in the range? At least for the marketing department. Ciao🙋♂️
It was more of a segmentation. They were positioned into the same class but with different target groups. The Arna should have been the entry model for youngsters without the need of large boot and offering 3-door layout while the 33 was targeting families with lower financial background still however providing great driving pleasure and good performance in the category.
The 33 was indeed positioned slightly higher than the Alfasud, with the Arna catering for the lower end of the market. But, having inherited the Sud's floorpan and running gear, the 33 is very much the model's direct successor anyway.
My first car was my mom's 1.5 Quadrifoglio oro. It had a strong first gear and a rorty noise. Looking at the 4x4 layout I am strongly reminded of the Audi layout for Quattro
Love the video bro💜
Thank you!!
Viva Alfa Romeo. Just wish you had a much better dealer network, especially USA. Thank you.
Che mito la 33, io amo la prima serie ma anche quelle successive non sono male, il 1.3 boxer a carburatori Weber suona da paura
Eh si, la 33 ha "fatto" tanti di quegli Alfisti che mi sorprende sia abbastanza poco considerata oggi
30 years after, we can safely say: There's barely another affordable car that made their owners happy looking back, for so long.
My first car, always in my ❤️😍
Which version was yours?
@@Matteo_Licata 1991 1.7 ie 8v in dark green metallic. I added the 16v alloy wheels 😎
Good video, I learned some new things! I bought a 33 1.4 Imola from 1994. I was looking for the info as to whether or not mine had hydroulic tappets. Now I know!
Thank you, I'm glad you've gained some useful info from it, as that was the aim I had for it. The Imola was a very attractive spec, congratulations on your purchase!
@@Matteo_Licata thank you!
Style wise it's a baby 75. I was also flabbergasted for you to reveal that Alfa Romeo experimented with hybrid drive, so many decade's ago! Is there nothing they weren't the pioneer's of, but never put these ideas into production?.
Well, Alfa wasn’t alone in experimenting with hybrids back then. Only a fraction that what goes on within an automaker R&D facility reaches production, for various reasons. Lack of foresight on management’s part, funding issues, doubts about customer acceptance of new tech…
The 33 is such a handsome and interesting car on so many levels. The fact that it resonated with so many buyers demonstrates its appeal. If only Alfa had offered it in the US along with the Spider and 75/164, they might have been able to expand the appeal of the marque offering a unique and innovative product. Sadly not.
The 33 sold very well indeed on this side of the pond, but I think it wouldn’t have been a good idea to export it to the USA: it was far too small!
@@Matteo_Licata How much smaller than the E30 3-Series is it? I’d imagine it would have had more interior room than that car.
Mmmh… You’ve stumped me on this. The 33 is roughly the size of a period Honda Civic, so it’s not something unheard of for Americans… Still, I do wonder how many Stateside would have considered an Alfa as a subcompact proposition. It seems to me that the brand has a kind of more exclusive image there
@@Matteo_Licata Perhaps, but they needed to do something different to shake things up because Alfa - even in their best year in the US - sold only 6,700 units total. I think the 33 would have made an excellent competitor to the Acura/Honda Integra, which sold like wildfire with its standard 1.5L engine.
Alfa 33 is great, it drives great, sounds amazing and there is a verion with 4x4 (my weak spot with cars), but damn it ages so so bad. Most of available models today are in disastrous condition with literally no parts available (I did found a German shop offering racing parts for Alfa 33, prices start at 500€ for even the smallest bits). This is why I ended up with 146 1.7. The suspension is from FIAT (the rear at least) and there is still a lot of parts available. BUT! My goal always was to install the 4x4 system from 33 to my 146. Never managed to do it but I'm guessing it's possible. No room for the driveshaft of course but the gearbox should fit the 1.7 boxer just fine. Anyways I think I'll buy the 33 someday anyway. This car is one of those legendary "true Alfas" that were produced back in the day, that's for sure. Love your videos!
Thank you very much. Yes, spare parts are an issue with many Italian classics, and the 33 is no exception. Here in Italy, there still are many good low mileage survivors around, thankfully, but having to replace parts can turn into a nightmare, yes.
The Permanent-4 has the propshaft running through the central tunnel with the exhaust pipe hanging slightly lower. It has a bit less ground clearance than a 2WD car but it all fits pretty well.
Bel colmo... foto di copertina trattasi dell'ultima serie che non citi 🤪 Però anch'io preferisco le versioni non 164. Come mai dell'ibrida non si è sentito molto a suo tempo? Sempre belle quelle che sfrecciavano in divisa! Bel video nuovamente :)
L'ibrida venne provata da Quattroruote, ma penso sia stata dimenticata in fretta perchè all'epoca a queste cose ancora non si pensava... Era davvero in anticipo sui tempi.
1991 Alfa 33 Imola…
❤
I love my 33 very much I have a 1.7 green clover in Right hand drive marked (021) I’d very much love to know how many were made
I suspect not many. Unfortunately, I don't have the data for individual versions, so I don't know.
This video came in this day when I have a issue with my 33. The car just won't start. Thanks a lot for the video pal.
Hope it'll be an easy fix, thank you!
@@Matteo_Licata I think the timing belts slipped and the cars doesn't start, I refurbished the dellorto carburators, replace the distributor, cap and rotor, ignition module, spark plugs, etc, and, nothing happens, just the starter crunk... I don't known what to do....
My 33 1.7ie from 1989 is in a garage waiting for better days… the plan is to make it my sons first car as it was mine😊
Cool!!!!
Hello very interesting video and the hybrid 33 is new for me, that company ansaldo, is that the same company who makes trains, i ask that because there is this italian train manufactor that try to make high speed train for the Dutch railways and it became a disaster. They blamed that manufactor that the trains where very problematic. Do you know anything about that?
Glad you liked it! I know nothing about trains, so I can't answer your question. But yes, Ansaldo Energia was a subsidiary of the larger Ansaldo conglomerate, which also made trains
Это машина 33! Из всего что есть в мире ! Она у меня на первом месте! Такая конкретная! Я даже когдато на плакате нарисова ! Увидев в журнале.Это было давно.
❤Alfa Romeo Life & Style❤
No mention of the Sprint coupe?
This video isn’t about it.
But this one is: ua-cam.com/video/Tds5SGXsAso/v-deo.html
I have a 91 1.7L 16v 33 cloverleaf sitting in my parents driveway under a tarpaulin. It's in good mechanical and the body is straight - this makes me want to restore it but difficult to find time time and space. Any ideas?
Unfortunately, I can't help with that, but it's nevertheless cool to have a project Alfa, even if you can't currently work on it. Take it easy and maybe start hunting the parts you know you'll need...
@@Matteo_Licata good thinking! Go Alfa Goooo!
The best car in history
Do like the 3-door prototype. Despite the 33 being a notchback hatchback rather than a proper saloon, it was essentially how one would envision a belated Alfasud three-box saloon rather than a direct successr to the Alfasud (being to the latter what the Fiat Regata was to the Fiat Ritmo chronologically speaking). Understand things were really dire for Alfa Romeo to consider developing the infamous Arna, however would Alfa Romeo have been better off developing a direct Alfasud successor from a shortened 33 platform with modern styling yet repurposed as more of an upmarket B-Segment model in the manner of the Fiat Ritmo/Seat Ronda based mk3 Seat Ibiza?
In hindsight, many things could have been done differently but, given the situation at the time, I cut Alfa’s men a fair bit of slack. They did the best they could in an impossible financial situation.
I loved my 33 - shame it was written off in a hit and run incident.
Ouch! Which version it was?
@@Matteo_Licata In the family we had a 1989 1.5 (twin carb) a 1.5 IE and I had a 1.7 IE.
I like the 1.5 with carbs and my 1.7 IE but never really got on with the 1.5 IE.
We also had a couple of 75 2.0 TS and a 164 2.0 TS.
I'm currently on my 2nd 166 2.5 V6!
That’s a lot of cool cars, well done! I hope to get a Spider soon, it’s my little dream car :)
A hybrid in 1988!
Yes indeed. Perhaps too far ahead of its time for its own good.
A shame neither a three door version, or a convertible (cabriolet) version ever saw production - as both would have been an instant success.....and not just in Italy, but everywhere else too.
They could have been direct rivals to VW's Golf - in both forms ...with a sporty cloverleaf model to go up against the Golf GTi, and the convertible against the Golf mk1 cabriolet. Not too mention the Ford Escort cabriolet!! .....at least in the UK anyway.
Why didn't Alfa Romeo do this?? ...was it money constraints (Fiat saying 'no') or did Alfa lose the bottle?? How could a 33 sporty cloverleaf not give the Golf GTi a run for its money!!?? ....with Alfa's rich sporting pedigree.
Alfa should also have made the 33 a rally phenomenon in the same way Lancia did with the Delta. Imagine the rally versions of the 33, and Delta going head to head on rally circuits across Europe and beyond throughout the 1980's and into the 90's. Alfa missed a huge opportunity by not doing these things.
Sorry for the stupid question, but the Alfa Romeo 33 1.5 IE was permanent 4x4? I thought it was only rear wheel drive. So it was even better then I thought??
No, the 4x4 system used on the 33s was a simple one. The car was FWD at all times unless the driver manually engaged the rear axle via a lever on the centre console. The only "permanent" 4x4 33 was the 1.7 16v Permanent 4, which used a viscous coupling to distribute torque front and rear
@@Matteo_Licata Interesting. So that car had the option to use 4x4 and never used it...I never noticed any lever on the center console.
🧡🧡🧡🧡🧡🧡🧡🧡🧡🧡🧡
All this love for the 33.
I thought it was a fine product for any other company.... But it killed the Alfasud.
It killed the Alfasud... and when it emerged after the funeral it had drums on the back and no inboard front brakes and it weighed a billion tons more than the 'sud.
Maybe not a billion tons, but more anyway.
Already by that time, cars were getting heavier and putting more rubber on the road.... Low mass was no longer thought clever or sexy.
I am a harsh judge, but I saw the 33 as the very antithesis of progress.
About the only thing the 33 did that was in any way 'Alfasud' was to rust. Rust and rev. I'll give them that. They could rev too....
I do think it was a nice car, maybe even a very nice car.
But it was not as good as the model it killed.
I have a strange affection for sporty Italian estates and I confess that I slightly admired the 33 Giardinetta .... It was.... almost as nice as the Alfasud Giardinetta.
Good video, as ever.
Excellent content.
33? Not for me.
The only way you can like a 33 is if you haven't driven a Sud.
You can have opinions about the build quality, the interiors, the estate and 4x4 versions and the styling (I like the two door concept)........ But dynamically, it's not a patch on the Sud it replaced. Like you said, it is inferior in every way. The press said so universally at the 33's launch and they were right; even up to the end of the 33's development, it couldn't match the Sud. The 33 was also not as good as the competition. Yes it was more fun and had better engines than a Golf but couldn't match it in other respects and if it was fun you were after, the Sud won hands down. When the 1.7 came out, it just highlighted the age of the chassis and the fact that it was conceived for about half the torque. Connoisseurs bought the 1.5 instead and appreciated the more refined and revvier engine, the more balanced overall feel of the car........... and most of the time, it made them really miss the rusty sud they'd replaced.
I must have driven every model of 33 going and owned a Permanent 4 which had the most awful ride and the most wonderful Recaros and that probably says enough about its schizophrenic nature. It did reward me with some memorable drives though. An early 33 Green Cloverleaf was a highlight too, as close as a 33 ever got to a Sud in my opinion and with an up-to-date interior, very fashionable 80s plastic add-ons and luxuries like electric windows. Almost, but not quite.......... which sums up the 33 really.
I get why people in the comments may be nostalgic for the 33 but I feel sorry for them too because they obviously never got to experience the optimal version of it, namely the car it replaced.
Thirty-Three does not sound as appealing as "Trenta tre", Nice video, next time though.. trenta tre, all day long ;-)
👍🏻👍🏼
It does sound better, I agree!
I had 2 33s. One written off by an idiot drunk driver, the other stolen. Wonderful handling, so light on petrol, absolutely reliable little cars. What a pity the electrics were so woeful. I could never rely on the speedo to work on either of my cars, and just forget about the trip computer, the best it could manage was to display speed info, and randomly switch off the tail lights, also on both cars.
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