Alfa Romeo 33 1.5 Giardinetta 4x4 (1983)

Alfa Romeo 33 1.5 Giardinetta 4x4

The Alfa Romeo 33 was a compact car built between by Alfa Romeo between 1983 and 1994.

The Alfa Romeo 33 road car was essentially an evolution of its predecessor, the Alfa Romeo Alfasud, which was based on the same floorplan, chassis and mechanicals albeit with some minor modifications.. Launched in 1983 as a 5-door hatchback, and a station wagon version (initially badged Giardinetta, later badged SportWagon) was introduced the following year as the same time as a 4x4 version of the hatchback. The hatchback (Berlina) was styled by the Centro Stile Alfa Romeo, Ermano Cressoni, and station wagon was restyled by Pininfarina. The Alfa Romeo 33 became renowned for its nimble handling and powerful boxer engines, but also became equally well-known for its unreliable electrics and tendencies to rust (a frequent complaint on Italian cars in general at the time).

During its 11 year lifespan the Alfa Romeo 33 saw two restyles; In consequence Alfisti tend to label each styling trend of the Alfa Romeo 33 after the leading large Sedan produced by Alfa Romoe at that time. The First 33's are sometimes referred to as 'Alfa 90' 33's, as they most resemble that car. Further re-styles were to follow: a mild one in 1987, when the 1.7 litre engine was introduced and a revised interior. These are known as 'Alfa 75' 33's ; There then followed a much more extensive one in 1990, with a heavily restyled exterior (in line with the new Alfa "family look" established by the flagship Alfa Romeo 164), a revised interior, and the 1.7 litre engine upgraded to a 137 bhp 16 valve version. The last Alfa Romeo 33's are known as either 'Nuova' or '164' 33's for their resemblance to the flagship Alfa at the time of their production. They are particularly prized by Alfisti for their performance, and for their sophistication. Late production Alfa Romeo 33's also do not suffer from the rust problems of their ancestors, as their frames are galvanized in the manner Alfa introduced with the Alfa Romeo 164.

The Alfa Romeo 33 has a unique place in Alfa Romeo history - Nearly 1 million of these cars were produced internationally, and it is probably the commonest Alfa Romeo to be found on most roads at the time of writing.

The Alfa Romeo 33 was discontinued in 1994 and replaced by the Alfa Romeo 145 and 146, which used the same Boxer engines but built around an entirely new platform based on the Fiat Tipo.

Single carburettor Engines

• 1.3, 79 bhp
• 1.5, 85 bhp

Twin carburettor Engines

• 1.5 Boxer twin weber or Dell Orto DRLA40 105 hp
• 1.7 Boxer twin weber or Dell Orto DRLA40 117 hp

Fuel injection Engines

• 1.4 88 bhp (some markets under 1.3 logo)
• 1.5 97 bhp
• 1.7 107 bhp (IE)
• 1.7 16v 137 - 132 bhp (QV)
• 1.8 TD 83 hp (3 Cyl)

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