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The year was 1967 and Alfa Romeo released a 'Stradale' or 'road going' version of its new Tipo 33 race car. Designed by Franco Scaglione, the car featured such items as dihedral (butterfly) doors and a mid engine two liter V8 making 230 bhp.
Only 18 were built. Alfa was trying to take a page out of Ferrari's playbook by offering the public a road going version of its race car but its cost - it was the most expensive car available to the public in 1968 - doomed sales.
It remains however one of the rarest and most beautiful cars ever built. AUTOart has chosen to make a model of this rare and beautiful Alfa and it is a joy to behold from any angle.
The fit and finish are excellent with everything opening and closing as it should including the 'trick' doors. A huge plus is that all of the louvers, intakes and screening are real - no shortcuts are taken and it really improves the look of the model The 'glass' and glazing is also excellent, particularly the headlight clusters and the doors as is the badging with one exception. The wheels and tires, interior, front compartment and engine compartment are all very well done.
Gripes? Just two. First the Alfa Romeo script on the rear deck is a decal - I would have preferred a photo etched piece or at least a tampo graphic. Secondly the car comes in one of AUTOarts window box packages with those @#$%$& wires. This car deserves a clam shell box.
This is perhaps the best example of how it is possible to build a high quality model without having to use noble materials or have two zillion parts. It also helps when the car you are modeling is one of the most beautiful cars ever built. This is one that you have to check out closely - you will not be disappointed.
(04/07/2013)
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