This B52 Lancia with Bertone coachwork designed by Michellotti back in 1952.
Story and photos by Graham Gauld
Last week I talked about some of the cars lined up at Retromobile in Paris; I must admit that I mostly walk past the more obvious stands with spectacular cars and items but rather tend to keep an eye open for cars that I have either met before or have interesting back stories, so to speak.
This week I would like to continue with some more observations. Take, for example, the Alfa Romeo Tipo 33/2 long tail that was on show. This was one of the last 33/2’s built. Design work on the Alfa tipo 33 can be traced back to 1964 when Alfa started out to produce a sports racing car around the 1570cc engine they had developed for the Giulia TZ2.
The first real 33 was produced in 1967 and was called the “Periscopio” named after the high periscope air intake behind the driver. It won first time out on a Belgian hill climb. By now it was a 2 liter V8 developed by Carlo Chiti.
Alfa and Autodelta entered the World Constructors Championship the following year and the car shaped up well against Ferrari and Porsche opposition. At Daytona that year Ugo Schuetz and Nino Vaccarella finishing fifth in this actual show car behind three Porsche 907’s and Jerry Titus’s Mustang. More importantly it was ahead of the other two 33/2 factory cars of Mario Andretti and Mario Casoni. This same car was to finish 4th at Le Mans with Ignazio Giunti and Nanni Galli.
The Alfa Romeo 33/2 long tail Daytona named after its fifth place at the 24 Hour race.