ALFA ROMEO 33 Giardinetta 1984-1990 Photos, engines & full specs

Alfa Romeo tried to do something different than most competitors on the market and introduced a crossover version for the 33 range, long before the term entered into the automotive dictionary.

The Italian brand was new on the all-wheel-drive systems, but it still tried to offer a vehicle that could cope well with snowy roads and other slippery surfaces. Since most 4x4 vehicles sported a higher ground clearance, the carmaker added a lift kit to make the car more capable on unpaved roads.

The Italian carmaker worked with Pininfarina to develop the Giardinetta (Station Wagon) version of the Alfa 33. It was 13 cm (5.1”) longer than its hatchback brother and featured an extended roof over the trunk area. It was still wedged-shaped, but that was right for those times. The carmaker added the third set of windows covering side areas between the rear doors and the raked-forward D-pillars. A set of black plastic moldings protected the lower side of the bodywork from stone chips, bushes, and the usual shopping carts.

Inside, the car was similar to the regular Alfa 33. It sported a three-spoke steering wheel and a narrow, flat-designed dashboard. There was room for two adults at the front, separated by a small transmission tunnel between them. On the other hand, that tunnel prevented the car from accommodating three passengers in the back comfortably.

Under the hood, Alfa Romeo installed a 1.5-liter engine paired to an all-wheel-drive system with a Torsen center differential. But the engine was too small and the car too heavy for it. That led to big fuel consumption. Later on, Alfa Romeo dropped the Giardinetta with its all-wheel-drive system.