In 1971, while Ferrari decided on a single-entry 312PB manned by Grand Prix drivers, arch-rival Alfa Romeo fielded a multi-car team with quick, experienced long-distance experts. The result? 3-0 in overall wins to Alfa Romeo.

The Milanese company, through its racing offshoot Autodelta, had developed the monocoque, 3-litre V8 33/3 into a handy package for the 1971 season, the last in which the mighty Ferrari 512s and Porsche 917s were eligible to race. Smaller wheels and a squarer front meant it was now more similar to the super-lightweight, but less powerful, Porsche 908/3.

At the classic ‘big’ circuits such as Spa, Monza and Le Mans, nothing was going to stop the 5-litre cars but, on a course such as the Targa Florio, the more nimble, open two-seaters were in their element.

While Ferrari’s 312PB proved incredibly fast, bad luck or unreliability meant it rarely finished a race. So, when the 917s failed or the circuit was just too twisty, the Alfas performed very strongly, with overall wins at the Targa, Brands Hatch and Watkins Glen. The company also won the Prototype class in every race entered except one: the Nürburgring 1000km, Porsche’s home ground.

The car you see here is just one of a dozen-or-so Tipo 33/3s available to Autodelta for the 1971 season. In the hands of van Lennep/de Adamich it finished an impressive 2nd overall in that year’s Targa Florio race.



The British specialist car dealer Martin Chisholm Collectors Cars is now marketing this car, chassis AR 75080-019, complete with original correspondence and notes from Autodelta test driver Teodoro Zeccoli.

For further details please contact William I'Anson or Martin Chisholm on +44 (0)1242 821 600 or email [email protected].

Text: Classic Driver
Photos: Martin Chisholm Collectors Cars

Martin Chisholm Collectors Cars Brockhampton Cheltenham Glos GL54 5TH UK Tel:+41 22 740 1939 Fax:+41 22 740 1945 Email: [email protected] Website: www.martinchisholm.com