Alfa Romeo has its own homage to the Tipo 33 of 1967 in the 33 Stradale, but a British firm has has just recreated something rather closer to the original.
Self-described “automotive artisans” PPW have spent the last five years developing the R33—a faithful replica of the 1967 car, but with more modern underpinnings and construction techniques. The car was built at the request of one customer, but the project has been such a success that PPW plans to build 33 examples; 12 more than were made by Alfa Romeo.
There’s a steel chassis, which PPW calls “race inspired” in its design, and that’s clothed in a hand-formed aluminum body, complete with uphinged butterfly doors, and front and rear clamshells. The car is suspended on Gaz dampers, and has unassisted Wilwood brakes so will be a pretty physical machine to handle.
That extends to the six-speed gated transmission which sends power to the rear wheels with no traction control. Driving the R33 then will require deft control of your right foot as the Maserati-Ferrari F136 4.2-liter V-8 produces 381 horsepower at 6500 rpm. This is the last of the normally-aspirated V-8s made in Maranello and the 90-degree V powered the Maserati Coupe, GranTurismo, and Quattroporte, as well as the Ferrari F430, California, and 458. In the R33 the dry-sumped engine will breathe through individual throttle bodies.
The PPW weighs in at just 1000 kg (2200 lbs) dry to deliver a power-to-weight ratio of 0.17 hp/lb, yet it doesn’t skimp on luxury, with a stunning cabin wrapped in tan hide, with plenty of polished aluminum also on display.
The R33 is fully road legal under the U.K.’s Individual Vehicle Approval scheme and is priced from £540,000 or around $723,000 plus taxes, or around one third of the cost of a new 33 Stradale.
