I posted to Instagram the other day that I was pleasantly surprised to find the new Hot Wheels Boulevard ’69 Alfa Romeo 33 Stradale hanging on my local Walmart’s pegs. Actually, I made no such mention of the location, but rather that it was a better value than the same Kyosho model already in my garage (change my mind, as they say).
It’s rumored that only 18 33 Stradale chassis were built, with two of them used as prototypes and six (or was it just 5?) set aside for prototypes. Remember the Alfa Romeo Carabo? That was built by Bertone using a 33 Stradale chassis. In the end, just 10 (or maybe only 8) were clothed in Franco Scaglione’s sensuous design, yet I can only find information on four.
A real race car for the street, most were painted red, Alfa’s race color, save for one in blue, which was recently revealed to the Internet. But I’m losing focus here as this topic is too exciting to stay on point. Let’s get back to the attainable Hot Wheels version.
As an Alfisti, this is certainly in my top 5 new models for 2020, but something was a bit ‘off’ on the card art, designed by the ever-talented Julian Koiles. The rear wheel of the Alfa was a tad meatier than I had ever seen on a 1:1. I wrote it off to artistic license, however when I was reading up on the Alfa IRL, I came across something that I felt may go unnoticed by a vast majority of collectors: Julian’s artwork, as well as the car itself, appears to be modeled after chassis 75033.110.
That car, currently owned by a prominent Swiss collector Albert Spiess, captured the Coppa d’Oro [People’s Choice] at the 2018 Villa d’Este Concorso d’Eleganza. After looking at countless pictures of numerous 33 Stradales, I’m almost certain Spiess’ car was the inspiration for Mark Jones’ Hot Wheels miniature. The chrome strip that travels across the entire front end seems to only be featured on 75033.110, its purpose was to reduce lift at speed. It’s also listed as being built to Competizione specs, which I have no idea what that means without diving deep into the research realm, a place from which I may never resurface. It may have something to do with those massive rear meats that are poking out on the card art, again, something I’ve only seen on 110. The only point for arguing the contrary – Mattel says it’s a 1969, yet 110 was completed in July 1968.
So with all the evidence presented, I would love to implore the talented Hot Wheels Dream Team members for a bit of clarity. Unless of course Mark and Julian want to keep their cards close to their chest to preserve the mystery. But Insight or not, the Alfa Romeo 33 Stradale is a welcome addition to the Hot Wheels’ portfolio, regardless of chassis number.
Please please Mattel, more Italian stuff that doesn’t end with “i”. MOAR ALFAS!
I can get down with this notion! Imagine Hot Wheels making a Montreal? That would be great.
I’m down…but there are a plethora of Italian “i” cars that could be made…the ones that werent involved at LeMans but provided cruising comfort to the Riviera…..
Now THIS is the type of article I was hoping to read on Lamley (and why I visit here nearly everyday in the hopes of finding such an article) (I’m a Euro and exotics fanboy in case you haven’t noticed). So thank you for this!!
I actually wasn’t aware that the HWs casting is based on chassis 75033 and just like you, I find it dangerous to try and find information on specific chassis models of these old cars. It’s a blackhole that I have entered before and got lost in for hours and hours (sometimes successfully, sometimes not), and at this moment I don’t wish to enter into that again. So I’ll just get back to the model.
Yes, I knew something was off the minute I saw this casting in photos online. It doesn’t look as delicate and sexy like the real car (dare I say, it looks slightly American-ized rather than a thoroughbred Italian). I won’t exactly blame the designers because I don’t know what difficulties they may have faced. But it is something I noticed easily and so it had to be mentioned. In the end, I am indeed happy to finally see a proper old-school Alfa Romeo supercar in the HW line. I’m kinda getting tired of the JDM and American muscle cars and it’s about time we saw some pure European exotics and classics and this Alfa is a superb start. For this year’s new model awards, this one will rank pretty high in my list.
P.S. – great photos once again!
Thank you so much! As soon as I noticed the card art, I knew I had to dig a bit…sharing the findings with a greater audience was only part of my plan – I’m hoping to hear from the folks that pulled the strings and put pen to paper on this one (although it would help if I sent it to them, in case they missed it.)
And not to nitpick, but for posterity rather, it’s chassis 75033.110 (or at least that’s what I think). Leaving the last three numbers off removes the actual chassis number, ha. I’ve had this book saved in my Watched Items on eBay for a few months now: Autodelta: Alfa Romeo Racing 1963 – 1983. Once I have spare time (aka once the kids grow up), I’m going to buy it and dive in.
And imagine they followed this up with either a TZ1 or TZ2? Or better yet, a Giulietta SZ? Oh man – the possibilities are endless!
PS – excellent F&F post…I was enlightened by your knowledge and connecting the cars to the movies. Well done.
Yeah I meant to write the full chassis number but didn’t. My bad. I’ve heard about that book and hopefully someday get the chance to read it.
I’d be over-the-moon mad if HW made an Alfa Romeo Scighera. It’s so epic looking yet so unknown, even among Alfa fans, which is kind of a perfect fit for HW or even Matchbox. I also wouldn’t mind seeing a 155 V6 DTM, 156 GTA, 147 GTA or a Montreal or even a Guilietta (it was in Fast and Furious 6, which brings us full circle).
Speaking of which, thanks for the F&F comment. Appreciate it 🙏🙏.
Competizione Spec literally means competition spec. In other words this particular chassis number was ready for racing. All that was needed was a number and a crew chief. So Hot Wheels could put this particular car into a race livery based on the fact they chose a privately owned street legal chassis number that was ready for LeMans.
Great research by the way!
Thanks Don! Yeah I know what the literal translation means, ha! I just wasn’t sure what sort of changes were done to this over a ‘standard’ spec car, considering they’re all basically race cars for the street. As I mentioned in a different comment, there’s a book on eBay that outlines Alfa’s racing from 1963 -1983 which probably answers my question – but until I pull the trigger and read it, I’ll never know, ha. Do you have any links for 33 Stradales that were raced in period? Thanks!
Cheers!
Mirrors missing again. But, this is the only one in that series that seems to stay on the pegs for me to get. And it turns out it was the one I wanted the most. Still, mirrors would have taken it to the next level.
So I was thinking about your comment, because if you’ve read my recent Lamley Daily on the new Corvette ZR1 Convertible, I’m all about mirrors. While I would definitely prefer mirrors on most castings, I don’t know if I’d want them on this. They’d have to be little nubbings, considering how small they were on the 1:1 (the actual one I referenced), but they’re not on all 33 Stradales. Who knows, they might mess with the flow of the fenders. I don’t know, I’m on the fence.
Cheers!
I bought one as soon as I found it on the pegs. I was mildly disappointed by the somewhat sloppy paint intended to simulate chrome trim around the windows, but I guess I can’t complain too much. It is an interesting model of an interesting car.
Great write up on a beautiful and distinctive car. Una bella macchina! We need more unique models like this from Hot Wheels instead of the same usual [Exotics] players over and over. I hope to find this one soon.
Thanks and I agree! I would love for a better balance of obscure models and usual exotica.
Cheers!