One to Buy: ex-works 1972 Alfa Romeo Tipo 33/TT/3
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When Alfa Romeo decided to return to top flight Sports car racing in 1967, they did so with the Autodelta-designed and built Tipo 33 which was initially powered by a diminutive two-litre V8 created specifically for the task.
The uprated Tipo 33/2 followed for 1968 which was in turn followed by the three-litre Tipo 33/3 in 1969. At this point, Alfa Romeo moved into the premier engine category against Porsche’s 908/02 and Ferrari’s 312 P (a three-litre limit for Group 6 Prototypes had been imposed since the beginning of ‘68).
However, a spanner was about to be thrown in the works as the 1970 and ‘71 seasons went on to be dominated by the big five-litre Porsche 917 and Ferrari 512 S which contested the Group 5 class for which the FIA had reduced the homologation requirement from 50 to 25 cars.
Meanwhile, Alfa stuck with their three-litre machine which by 1971 was arguably as good as anything else in the Group 6 class. During the course of that ‘71 season (which would be the last for the big five-litre Group 5 cars), Alfa trialled a new Tipo 33/TT/3 at a handful of events; the TT moniker denoted a new tubular chassis (Teliaio Tubolare).
The Tipo 33/TT/3 really came into its own for the 1972 season when the 917 and 512 S were outlawed. Against Ferrari’s 312 PB (and to a lesser extent Matra), Alfa Romeo had an epic season-long battle that, despite no wins, yielded second place in the World Championship.
Currently on offer at the William I’Anson showroom in Gloucestershire is this sensational survivor from that ‘72 campaign. Most famously it was driven by Andrea de Adamich and Nino Vaccarella to a fourth place finish at that year’s Le Mans 24 Hours.
