Alfa Romeo 33 Shines at the Prestigious Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este
The Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este, renowned for its celebration of automotive design and heritage, provided a splendid showcase for the iconic Alfa Romeo 33. Held at the enchanting Villa Erba, the event honored the centenary of the 24 Hours of Le Mans while paying homage to the timeless elegance of Alfa Romeo. Established in 1929, the Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este has a rich history of bringing together automotive enthusiasts and aficionados from around the world. This year’s edition expanded beyond its traditional headquarters in Cernobbio to include Villa Erba, a fitting venue for the momentous occasion. Alfa Romeo took advantage of this esteemed platform to exhibit two extraordinary vehicles that once conquered the French tracks—the 33/2-litre “Daytona” (1968) and the 33 TT 12 (1975).
The connection between Alfa Romeo and the Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este traces back to the deep bond shared by Milan, the birthplace of Alfa Romeo, and the magnificent Lake Como, a favored destination of the Milanese aristocracy. Over the years, Villa d’Este has become synonymous with elegance and has witnessed numerous photo shoots, events, presentations, and gatherings, where the brand’s heritage and concept cars have received prestigious accolades. Alfa Romeo’s racing legacy dates back to its triumphs in the first two Formula 1 World Championships with the Alfetta 158-159. Following a hiatus from competition in 1951, the company returned to racing in 1963 with Autodelta, its official racing department, which marked its 60th anniversary in 2023. Initially focusing on touring cars, Autodelta later ventured into the realm of prototypes with the introduction of the Tipo 33.
The pinnacle of the 33’s success came at the 1968 24 Hours of Daytona, where Alfa Romeo achieved a remarkable feat by claiming all three podium positions. The triumphant crews of Vaccarella-Schütz, Andretti-Bianchi, and Casoni-Biscardi-Zeccoli sealed Alfa Romeo’s dominance, leading to the inclusion of “Daytona” in the name of the legendary Alfa Romeo 33/2-litre. The 33 also demonstrated its prowess at the 24 Hours of Le Mans, securing another class hat-trick and even outperforming more powerful competitors in overall standings, including a noteworthy victory at Mugello.
In 1975, Alfa Romeo’s dedication to excellence reached its peak with the 33 TT (Tubular Chassis) 12, a car equipped with a formidable three-litre V12 engine producing 500hp and reaching speeds of 205mph. With a lineup of exceptional drivers, such as Arturo Merzario, Vittorio Brambilla, Jochen Mass, Jacques Laffite, Henri Pescarolo, Derek Bell, and Jack.