alfa history

By Alan Yankolonis

There are many stories surrounding the famous Alfa Romeo Tipo 33 that was developed during the period from 1967 through 1977 and there are still a few mysteries related to the provenance of some of these famous Alfas. Of particular interest was a car that was developed in 1975 as a test mule for modifications—AR-115-12-012, an experimental car that now resides in the Simeone Foundation. Previously, there has been very little published about this car, and below we hope to put forth a few theories about the car’s competition record.

Much of the research for this article is from an excellent book published in 2005 and written by Peter Collins and Ed McDonough, entitled; Alfa Romeo Tipo 33 The Development and Racing History. The book covers the ten year span of the development of the Tipo 33 with its racing history and the difficulty of tracking the many chassis numbers, as well as the many rumors and myths surrounding this car model and Alfa Romeo in general.

The Simeone Alfa T33 as it appears today. The car had been restored by Ambrosiana Motor Car of Italy in 1988 and acquired by Dr. Fred Simeone shortly thereafter.

In the Collins/McDonough book, I read with interest that chassis number AR-115-12-012 which now resides with the Simone Foundation, received little mention as to its participation in the 1975 World Championship of Makes (WCM) (later called the World Sports Car Championship). Chassis #012 did not receive credit for participation in any of the WCM races that year, although a few races did not have chassis numbers listed. As best as I can determine five chassis were utilized in 1975, serial numbers ending in: 008, 009, 010, 011, and one test car. Could it be that #012 was in fact the test car?