Friday 11 May 2018

Alfa Romeo Tipo 33/2 "Daytona" (1968)



Alfa Romeo Tipo 33 was a race car designed for the two-litre Sport car category. The design of a new vehicle was started in 1964 by Alfa Romeo Design under Orazio Satta Puliga's guidance and was developed in particular by Giuseppe Busso.

The chassis consisted of three large aluminium alloy pipes arranged to form an asymmetrical "H". A tubular chassis made of a single magnesium casing was fixed to the front end, while two "arms", also made of magnesium, was connected to rear. Rubber fuel tanks were accommodated inside the chassis tubes. The structure weighed just 55 kilograms, for a kerb weight in full running order of 580 kilograms.

The car was powered by a two-litre, aluminium alloy V8 with four overhead camshafts, injection fuel feed with mechanical pump and twin ignition. The definitive version delivered 270 HP. The top speed of the car varied from 260 to 300 km/h according to the aerodynamic configuration.

The creation of the 33 was long and complicated, particularly because of its innovative chassis. The car made it's debut in 1967, but the first year was difficult. However, the year ended with a victory at the Fleron hillclimb in Belgium.

The following year Alfa Romeo 33/2, now with a new closed body, was finally ready to take it's place. In 1968 Alfa Romeo 33/2 took fifteen overall victories and six category victories. Alfa took the 2-litre class win at Daytona, Targa Florio and Le Mans. After the Daytona win, the car was named "Daytona"



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