Alfa Romeo – 33 TT 12 (1975)

The 33 TT 12 debuted at Spa-Francorchamps 1000 km on May 5, 1973, when the World Makes’ Championship was at its best, with a great commitment from the most prestigious manufacturers, including Alfa Romeo, with its racing division, “Autodelta”.

If the name “33”, on the tracks from 1967, is regarding a legendary racing car, the “TT” means “Telaio Tubolare” (tubular frame) – derived from the previous “33 TT3”, with a V8-90° engine – and “12” stands for the number of cylinders of the new flat-12, 3 litre engine, capable of exceeding the power of 500 hp. The body has an unusual aerodynamics and an unmistakable aesthetics, made of two side fins and a big airscope over the engine cover.

The 1973 season is focused, by a decision of Autodelta technicians, on the complete development of the new car and, in the next year, the 33 TT 12 begins to collect its first successes, first of all the first place at Monza 1000 km, with a great triumph.

In 1974 Alfa Romeo management decides to participate at Le Mans 24 hour race, in order to beat the Equipe Matra, its first real contender. During the qualifying session in March, Merzario and his 33 TT 12 flies at a lap of 3’ 31” 000, 4 seconds ahead of Matra. But in the meantime Alfa Romeo (and Autodelta) decide not to participate for organizational reasons.

1975 season will be the golden era of the 33 TT 12: all best drivers of that years drive the “TT 12”, achieving the coveted World Makes’ Championship. Merzario (the most talented), Andretti, Bell, Brambilla, Ickx, Laffite, Mass, Pescarolo, Scheckter, Vaccarella.