Alfa Romeo 33 Series
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| Alfa Romeo 33 | |
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| Manufacturer: | Alfa Romeo |
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| Production: | 1983–1994 |
| Predecessor: | Alfa Romeo Alfasud Alfa Romeo Arna (a stop gap car based on the Nissan Cherry) |
| Successor: | Alfa Romeo 145/146 |
| Class: | Small family car |
| Body style: | 5-door hatchback 5-door station wagon |
| Similar: | Ford Escort Lancia Delta Volkswagen Golf |
The Alfa Romeo 33 is a small family car producerd by the Italian automaker Alfa Romeo between 1983 and 1994. It was essentially an evolution of its predecessor, the Alfasud, which was based on the same floorplan, chassis and mechanicals albeit with some minor modifications. The 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.
It is not related to the Alfa Romeo Tipo 33 series of race cars of the 1960s and 1970s.
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[edit] Overview
The 5-door hatchback version was launched in 1983, and a station wagon version (initially badged Giardinetta, later badged SportWagon) was introduced the following year as the same time as a four-wheel drive version of the hatchback. The hatchback was styled by the Centro Stile Alfa Romeo, Ermano Cressoni, while the station wagon was designed by Pininfarina.
The 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).
The 33 has a unique place in Alfa Romeo history - Nearly 1 million of these cars were produced internationally, and it is probably the most common Alfa Romeos to be found on the roads.
[edit] Facelifts
During its 11 year lifespan the 33 saw two restyles; In consequence Alfisti tend to label each styling trend of the 33 after the flagship vehicle produced by Alfa Romeo at that time.
The First 33's are sometimes referred to as 'Alfa 90' 33s, 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' 33s. Later followed a much more extensive facelift in 1990, with a revised interior, the 1.7 litre engine upgraded to a 137 bhp 16 valve version, and a heavily restyled exterior, in line with the new Alfa "family look" established by the flagship 164. The last 33s are known as either 'Nuova' or '164' 33s for their resemblance to that model. These models are particularly prized by Alfisti for their performance and sophistication. Late production 33s also do not suffer from the rust problems of their ancestors, as their frames are galvanized in the manner Alfa introduced with the 164.
[edit] Engines
[edit] Single carburettor engines
- 1.3, Boxer Twin weber 36 - 79 bhp
- 1.5, Boxer Twin weber 36 - 85 bhp
[edit] Twin carburettor engines
- 1.5 Boxer twin weber 40 or Dell Orto DRLA40 105 hp
- 1.7 Boxer twin weber 40 or Dell Orto DRLA40 117 hp
[edit] 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)
