Alfa 33 Stradale restoration

[Dave B]

Thought it was time I restored my Stradale.  It was built 45 odd years ago and has suffered through a few house moves.  Brocken hinges, front steering glued solid, body cracked etc.

The good news is I got it apart with no further damage except a broken steering wheel.

Have already bushed the suspension so hopefully it will have steering and also collected the wheels I've had printed.

I'll continue on this until my 1/24 DB4GT Zagato arrives next Tuesday, finger crossed.

Dave B

[Rich Chernosky]

Dave...good luck on this restoration. Those new wheels look great. If you need anything don't hesitate to ask. 

[Bainford]

Oh, this is interesting. Love the new wheels & tires. 

[1959scudetto]

Interesting rework, Dave - had this kit been molded in McLaren orange or did you paint it that way (back then)? Cause shock absorbers and intakes show the same color. I will be watching what you are doing with this one.

The rims in your first picture (with the Firestone tires) look like they are from a Lola T70. Do you know a source for these in 1/24? I need a set for a '69 Lola T70 Mk III B.

Edited December 14, 2024 by 1959scudetto

[Dave B]

Helmut, I painted it that colour many years ago.

I'm not sure what brand the 1/16th Lola wheels are.  What outside diameter 1/24th wheels do you need, I might have some spare but I think they are 1/25th and may be a little small.

Dave B

[4knflyin]

I think this must be one of those questions that is actually stupid... because everybody else seems to be in the know: what make and scale is this kit. 

That paint job is striking. But, what happened to the window? UV rays?

I already get the strong feeling that this restoration is going to be far more successful than mine. Unfortunately, all you have to do to succeed at that is keep it serviceable. I failed at that, much less did I improve it. Oh brother.

Should be interesting.

[Dave B]

Marcus, windows are tinted but there is a fair bit of reflection, should polish up ok.

It's Otaki in 1/16th scale and a very old build.

Will be red when finished, surprise surprise!

Dave B

[Dave B]

While waiting for the paint to cure on the 33TT12 I have started again on the Stradale'.

I have rewired the distributors to reflect the actual car and added coils. Also touched up the paint around the engine bay.

At the front I've rebuilt the kingpins so I now have a steerable front end.

I have now started to rebuild one of the doors as both hinges were broken.

Wish me luck!!

Dave B

[Dave B]

I've just restored the glass and found that, for some reason as a twenty something year old, I had sprayed the screen and side windows with Tamiya clear smoke.

Anyway they have come up well, the 2 marks in the windscreen are covered by the wiper.

Dave B

[Dave B]

After having replaced the vents in the rear deck I decided to see if I could find out why I had cut 3 vents in the rear guards.

Turns out I couldn't.  After checking the old Otaki box art I have no explanation for cutting the vents.  Must have thought it was a good idea at the time!!

Well I was young!!

Anyway to reflect the actual prototype they are now being filled in.

Dave B

[Matt Bacon]

Great work on this @Dave B. It’s such a beautiful car. This will also be very helpful when I come to build my Fujimi issue, so thanks for that! As to the rear vents, I guess youthful enthusiasm — plus there seem to be different options. This one has two on each side:

https://petrolicious.com/blogs/articles/the-beauty-of-the-alfa-romeo-tipo-33-stradale-is-more-than-skin-deep
Basically your top one plus a single vent combining the lower two.

And this one has one large vent, mirroring the one behind the front wheel arch:

https://www.autozine.org/Archive/Alfa/classic/Tipo_33.html
So you may well have seen an original picture with three, or just thought it looked more stylish that way…

best,

M.

 

Edited May 6 by Matt Bacon

[absmiami]

The 33 prototype had different vents and a couple of other features that were changed in “production”.  Which is interesting considering how few 33s were produced - MFH - to its credit - took the trouble to produce both the prototype and the production 33 - i can post some pictures to illustrate later this week - if it would help - 

[absmiami]

Box art fr MFH FOR 24th sc 33 Stradale - the prototype - 

[absmiami]

Per the excellent Primotipo coverage - the kit is mostly accurate - but is missing the engine bonnett vents - although these may have been added later - don’t recall - 

[absmiami]

And this is the kit body of the production 33 - several differences …

[absmiami]

Prototype on the left - with the multiple headlamps in each bucket - production 33 body on the right - - - the remainder of the kits contents are the same - excepting the frets that provide acc parts to complete the bodywork …

[Dave B]

I actually wanted the MFH 1/24 kit, but for the $$$$

Lucky I was able to get a 3D printed one.

Dave B

[Dave B]

Ok, I've finished the chassis pan, interior and engine bay.

It's not accurate but does more closely reflect the original prototype, down to the interior colour.

While I continue restoring the body I'll start completing the 33TT12.

Dave B

[1959scudetto]

You are finishing 2 great Alfa Romeos at the same time, Dave !