
The 1960's & the Alfa Romeo Stradale
The 33 Stradale represented a significant connection between Alfa Romeo's racing division and its manufacturing sector, which is why it was permitted to feature the "quadrifoglio" emblem on its front fenders. This iconic four-leaf clover was initially introduced by Alfa Romeo racing driver Ugo Sivocci in 1923 and has been a consistent symbol on all high-performance Alfa production vehicles since the 1960s.



The initial two prototypes were equipped with dual headlights on each side; however, this design was eliminated in the production models due to regulations concerning the minimum height of headlights from the ground. Additionally, it is noteworthy that no two of the 18 units produced were exactly alike. Each vehicle was handcrafted, resulting in unique details among the ostensibly identical 33 Stradale’s. For instance, some models featured a single windscreen wiper, while others had two. Furthermore, certain cars displayed the four-leaf clover emblem on the fenders, while others did not. Subsequent models incorporated vents behind both the front and rear wheels to facilitate the release of hot air from the brakes, a feature absent in earlier versions.
It is understandable that only 18 Alfa Romeo 33 Stradale’s were manufactured, a decision influenced by the high production costs and Alfa Romeo's desire to maintain the car's exclusivity. Of these 18 units, six were later modified into concept cars by Bertone, Pininfarina, and Italdesign Giugiaro, resulting in only 12 examples remaining in their original factory configuration.