ALFA ROMEO 33 1983-1989 Photos, engines & full specs

The 1983 Alfa Romeo 33 was produced in over one million units between 1983 and 1994. It replaced the Alfasud and it was renowned for its nimble handling.

Alfa Romeo had to move forward and increase its sales. To do that, they had to change the rear-wheel-drive platforms to front-wheel-drive so the cars would handle better and be easier to drive. Despite the Alfa Romeo fans, the evolution had to be done. After the Alfasud, Alfa 33 was a very important car for the Italian brand. It was nimble, affordable, and easy to drive. It was offered as a hatchback, station-wagon, and even in 4x4 configuration with higher ground clearance. Something that, years later, would have been named a crossover. It was ahead of its time.

At the beginning of the '80s, the customers were looking for cars with sharper edges. It was the idea that a boxier looking car would be safer to drive. That trend was followed by most of the car manufacturers in Europe. So it was the Alfa 33, with its sharp, straight lines, square headlights and trapezoidal taillights. The two-and-a-half body style was appealing for Italian customers.

Inside, the Alfa 33 featured an innovative dashboard, with a center console designed as a separate unit from the instrument cluster. The binocular-style dials were something new on a market that offered only a panel with gauges on it. Due to its platform, the interior room was good enough for five adult passengers. The rear seats backseat could have been folded and increase the, otherwise small, trunk.

The Alfa 33 featured boxer engines, helping to lower the center of gravity and improve handling. With the introduction of the 4x4 on demand and, later on, permanent all-wheel-drive system, the car handled well even on unpaved roads.