NEW ALFA ROMEO 33 STRADALE AT CONCORSO DI ELEGANZA DI VILLA D'ESTE

• The Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este is one of the oldest and most prestigious events in the industry; every year, it crowns the most beautiful historic cars, and since 2002 the most fascinating prototypes as well
• Competing for the coveted Design Concept Award title will be the new Alfa Romeo 33 Stradale, a true work of art in motion that combines heritage, timeless beauty and innovation
• Produced in only 33 exclusive units, the new Alfa Romeo custom-built car reinterprets the stylistic features of its 1967 forerunner, in turn derived from the Tipo 33, an icon of 1960s motorsport

• The event on Lake Como is inextricably linked to the history of the brand, as evidenced by the magnificent 1949 6C 2500 SS Coupé Villa d'Este, a masterpiece of refinement, technique and performance
• Emotions, passion and prestige characterise the 2024 Concorso, culminating in an evocative public parade of classic and concept cars in the park at Villa Erba

Alfa Romeo is pleased to announce its participation in the Concorso d'Eleganza Villa d'Este, the most exclusive and traditional classic car event in the world. The event will take place 24 – 26 May at Lake Como. Held for the first time in 1929, the event has always been hosted in the magnificent gardens of the Grand Hotel Villa d'Este and Villa Erba in Cernobbio; around 50 models take part every year, divided into different categories and judged by a team of experts. Since 2002, a prize has been introduced for the most fascinating prototypes, which represent the link between the past and the future of the automobile.

Competing for the coveted Design Concept Award, the new Alfa Romeo 33 Stradale is an authentic manifesto of the Italian brand’s capabilities – now and in the future – in terms of style and driving experience. Made in only 33 exclusive units, for 33 Alfa Romeo fans, the new two-seater coupé combines heritage and the future, and is produced according to a unique artisanal process with the highest quality standards and obsessive attention to detail. Last year, a few months before the launch of the new 33 Stradale, Alfa Romeo unofficially announced the arrival of the magnificent Alfa Romeo ‘few-off’. It took the Tipo 33 to Villa d’Este, a star in 1960s motorsport and the basis for the legendary 1967 33 Stradale. It was, in turn, the Alfa Romeo team's inspiration for the creation of the Biscione brand’s new custom-built car. At the enchanting Villa Erba – the venue last year for the centenary celebrations of the 24 Hours of Le Mans – the Italian brand lined up two gems from its heritage collection, both of which featured on the iconic French circuit: the 33/2-litre ‘Daytona’ (1968) and the 33 TT 12 (1975).

Emotions, passion and prestige also characterise the 2024 edition, as can be seen from the packed schedule that includes the arrival of the competing cars at Villa d'Este on Friday, 24 May, and the exclusive gala dinner. The following day, the exhibition will be reserved for experts, insiders and the awarding of the first prizes, while on Sunday 26 the Festival will take place. Open to the public, it will be hosted in the park at Villa Erba, where visitors’ favourite car will be crowned. Just like every year, the event will end with the eagerly awaited and evocative public parade of rarities from the past, together with futuristic concept cars.

An iconic location, forming part of the brand’s history

The bond between Alfa Romeo and the Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este began with the profound connection between Milan – the birthplace of Alfa Romeo – and Lake Como, long the drawing room of the city’s aristocracy, and a showcase for Italian excellence around the world. That same bond has stood the test of time and remains strong to this day. Even when the focus of the automotive world shifted to mass production and the Concorso d’Eleganza became the shining memory of a distant era, Villa d’Este lent its allure to photo shoots, events, presentations and gatherings, where many of the brand’s heritage and concept cars would receive prestigious awards.

Alfa Romeo 33 Stradale: daring to dream

To make a dream come true, the essential ingredient is a good dose of courage and a pinch of healthy madness. This was the same recipe as for the car considered by many to be among the most beautiful ever: the 33 Stradale, launched in 1967. Today, with the same boldness and vision, the Alfa Romeo team has designed and developed the new 33 Stradale, an authentic work of art in motion, the upshot of the perfect combination of beauty and technology. Its goal is to provide the most exciting driving experience and the immortal charm of an icon to a very small circle of enthusiasts, who have believed in the project ever since the outset. The new 33 Stradale was created at the newly founded Alfa Romeo Bottega. Here Alfa Romeo designers, engineers and historians met the 33 buyers to make a joint decision on their ideal configuration. This process replicates that of Renaissance artisan boutiques and the 1960s workshops of renowned Italian coachbuilders of the early 20^th century, who Alfa Romeo partnered with to model its creations - all unique in the world. One of these was the renowned Carrozzeria Touring Superleggera, which went on to leave its mark on some of the most beautiful Alfa Romeo cars of all time and now plays a leading role in the production of the new 33 Stradale. The 33 project skillfully combines artisan processes, technological innovation and customer's wishes, to create something unique and unrepeatable.

The 6C 2500 SS Coupé Villa d’Este

One of most precious gems of Alfa Romeo history is the 6C 2500 SS ‘Villa d’Este’, one of the last Alfa Romeo models to be built with a supporting frame separate from the bodywork. Only 36 models were ever produced between 1949 and 1952, all one-offs custom-built according to the customer's wishes and the inspiration of the coachbuilders. Departing from the 6C 2500 SS Coupé, built by Touring Superleggera, Carlo Felice Bianchi Anderloni introduced major changes: the front was redesigned, with the four headlights better integrated with the bodywork and two superimposed elongated cooling sockets were added. The fenders were integrated with the sides, but clearly visible. The windscreen was split in two parts and inclined. The back was very low and pronounced, with two small, elegant round headlights clearly visible. A masterpiece of twentieth-century motorcar art was born. In the 1949 edition of the Concorso d’Eleganza di Villa d’Este, this car won the ‘Referendum Grand Prix’ – the prize directly awarded by the public, making it eternally synonymous with the spirit of the event. Further information on this legendary model is available here.

ENDS