The Alfa Romeo T33/3 made its debut in 1969 at the 12 Hours of Sebring. The engine was enlarged to 2998 cc (183ci) with 400 hp (298 kW), which put the T33/3 in the same class as the Porsche 908 and the Ferrari 312P. The chassis was now a monocoque. The new car did poorly at Sebring and Alfa did not take part in Le Mans after Lucien Bianchi’s death in a practice session. The car took a couple of wins in smaller competitions but overall the 1969 season was not a successful one, and Alfa Romeo was placed seventh in the 1969 International Championship for Makes.
In 1970 the bigger 5.0L Porsche 917 and Ferrari 512 dominated, yet Toine Hezemans and Masten Gregory took third overall at Sebring, and Andrea De Adamich and Henri Pescarolo won their class in the 1000km Zeltweg, finishing second overall. Also in 1970, an Alfa T33/3 was one of the “actors” of Steve McQueen’s movie Le Mans, released in 1971.
In 1971 the Alfa Romeo racing effort was finally successful. Rolf Stommelen and Nanni Galli won their class at the 1000km Buenos Aires (followed by De Adamich and Pescarolo), before taking another class win (and second overall) at Sebring. De Adamich and Pescarolo later won outright at the 1000km Brands Hatch, a significant result against the “invincible” 917s. They then took a class win at Monza (where Alfa Romeo took the three podium slots in the prototype class) and another one at Spa. At the Targa Florio, Vaccarella and Hezemans won outright, followed by teammates De Adamich and Gijs van Lennep. Hezemans and Vaccarella won their class at Zeltweg, and De Adamich and Ronnie Peterson won overall at Watkins Glen. Alfa Romeo finished the season second place in the championship. In 1972 the 5 litre Group 5 Sports Cars were banned and the 3 litre cars of Alfa Romeo, Ferrari and Matra, redesignated as Group 5 Sports Cars, competed together for outright victories.
Engine
Configuration
Tipo 33.3 90º V8
Location
Mid, longitudinally mounted
Construction
light alloy block and head
Displacement
2,998 cc / 182.9 cu in
Bore / Stroke
86.0 mm (3.4 in) / 64.4 mm (2.5 in)
Compression
11.0:1
Valvetrain
4 valves / cylinder, DOHC
Camshaft
Gear driven
Fuel feed
Lucas Fuel Injection
Lubrication
Dry sump
Aspiration
Naturally Aspirated
Power
420 bhp / 313 kW @ 9,400 rpm
BHP/Liter
140 bhp / liter
Drivetrain
Body
aluminium
Chassis
aluminium monocoque
Front suspension
double wishbones, coil springs, telescopic dampers, anti-roll bar
Rear suspension
lower wishbones, top links, twin trailing-arms, coil springs, telescopic dampers, anti-roll bar
Steering
rack-and-pinion
Brakes
ventilated discs, all-round
Gearbox
5 speed Manual
Drive
Rear wheel drive
Dimensions
Weight
650 kilo / 1,433 lbs
Length / Width / Height
3,700 mm (145.7 in) / 1,900 mm (74.8 in) / 980 mm (38.6 in)
Wheelbase / Track (fr/r)
2,240 mm (88.2 in) / 1,500 mm (59.1 in) / 1,380 mm (54.3 in)
