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The first two Formula One Championships went to Alfa Romeo, they then promptly withdrew from the highest level of motor racing to focus on the construction of road cars for the public. The cars it produced proved not to have the glamour of the pre-war cars, although they did have that Alfa Romeo "X-factor". Then 1967 came around and the Stradale 33 was introduced.

The Stradale 33 is quite possibly the most beautiful road car ever produced. It is also one of the rarest road cars ever produced, it is believed that there was only 18 of these heavenly creations ever produced.The road car was based on the Tipo 33 race car.

The cars styling, in typical Alfa fashion, was revolutionary. It was the first ever road car to be fitted with dihedral doors or "Butterfly" doors. These particular doors provide ease of entry as well as exit. The windows also seamlessly curve into the cars roof, which is simply exquisite.

The car was designed by legendary coach builder Franco Scaglieno and made it's debut at the 1967 Turin Motorshow. The car was built in an attempt to bring Alfa Romeo's legendary racing technology to the public. It was however not a "car for the masses". When it went on sale, it was valued at $17,000, when the average house price was $2,000.

In terms of performance this car was in a class of it's own. It had a 2 litre V8 engine, producing 270 bhp which in a car weighing 700 kg's is incredibly impressive. The car's top speed was 160mph and it hit the 60mph mark, which eve for today's standards is impressive.

It is definately one of the prettiest cars ever made, but is it the greatest Alfa Romeo of all time? I'll leave that for you to decide.