Born to Win

This Alfa Romeo Tipo 33/2 ‘Daytona’ is one of the most significant competition cars of its era, achieving class victories at the 1968 Targa Florio, Nurburgring 1000 km, and Le Mans 24 Hours, cementing its place in motorsport history.

In the mid-1960s, Alfa Romeo set out to re-establish itself as a dominant force in motorsport. Under Dr. Giuseppe Luraghi’s leadership, the company worked with Carlo Chiti and Autodelta, developing a new prototype to compete in endurance racing. The result was the Tipo 33, a car featuring a lightweight aluminium ‘H’ frame chassis, aeronautical construction techniques, and a 2.0-litre V8 with four overhead camshafts.

By 1968, extensive testing led to the Tipo 33/2, an improved version with better aerodynamics, fuel injection, and a more balanced chassis. This evolution would allow Alfa Romeo to challenge its main rival, Porsche.

The 1968 season began with promise at the 24 Hours of Daytona, where three Autodelta-entered Tipo 33/2s finished strongly. However, it was at the Targa Florio that this example made its mark. Nanni Galli and Ignazio Giunti piloted the car to a stunning second overall and first in class, beating Porsche in one of endurance racing’s most gruelling events.

Just weeks later, the duo took another class victory at the Nurburgring 1000 km, despite chaotic pit work from Autodelta. However, a long-awaited overall win finally came at the Gran Premio del Mugello, where the Tipo 33/2 defeated Porsche after months of practice on the demanding circuit.

At Le Mans, Galli and Giunti dominated the 2-litre class, securing fourth overall after an almost flawless race, another landmark achievement for Alfa Romeo.

Despite a strong 1968 season, Alfa Romeo finished third in the Manufacturers Championship, with Galli and Giunti ranking 11th in the Drivers standings. The car continued racing in 1969 but suffered retirements at both the Targa Florio and Nurburgring.

Of all the Alfa Romeo Tipo 33/2 ‘Daytonas’, the example featured here, chassis 017, boasts the most significant and impressive racing history. Few cars, from any marque, can claim victories at three of the world’s most legendary circuits, making it a true motorsport icon.

This legendary 1968 Alfa Romeo Tipo 33/2 ‘Daytona’ is currently available from Schaltkulisse in Germany. Photos © Schaltkulisse