Italy's Strange Answer To The Golf GTI - Alfa Romeo 33 1.7 Green Cloverleaf 

My first Alfa 1990 .... 33 1.7 QV fantastic car, never let me down and covered 180k miles.

The Alfa Romeo 33 was a truly great car. The build quality was good for the most important parts. The mechanics were actually very strong. The rest wasn't bad really if you compare with the competition of the day. The early cars did suffer from some rust but the series 3 cars (907) were much better galvanised and were better than most other cars on the road at the time. They are great fun to drive and I get great attention everywhere I go in mine. Mine is mint and drives as it should. The gear change is not a good as the rest of the mechanicals but again when comparing it to the competition it is fine. The design was actually a great one and stands the test of time. The Series 3 cars were an even better design.

It has nice lines. Not boring to look at like the Golf.

My mum was the first owner of that car. Came from Kimley’s Alfa Romeo down near Southampton in 1988. Sold it around 1999/2000 with 22k or so on the clock. Good to see it still going strong.

I love this Jack. I have a real affinity to the 33. We went from a Sud Ti, to two 33 1.5 Green Cloverleafs (a B plate in Alfa Red that needed a full respray before it was 1 year old, and a D plate gunmetal grey one which you could clock if you hit the instrument cluster just right - the Speedo and mileage would just stop working until you hit it again 😂) but lastly we had a black non Veloce 1.7 Green Cloverleaf as an ex Demo from Wades in Lancing, reg G665 RYJ which we had for about 5 years. My Dad loved the thing, I remember he had genuine front window deflectors and door protection strips put on it and insisted it had a set of the Veloce revolution wheels on it as part of the sale (being the one bit of the Veloce he liked). Was his absolute pride and joy and I remember most of mine and my brother's mates always being a bit envious of the fact our family car wasn't humdrum like theirs 😂 Immense memories of that car, was rapid for it's time (it weighed very little - night and day compared to the 1.5's) and recall it needed regular setting up to run at its best (Dad used to take it to a Ferrari independent specialist who used to make it properly sing). I remember back in 94/95, my Dad was doing lots of miles for work and relented, getting a Mondeo 1.8 LX company car, meaning the 33 had to go. I still remember the day it was pulled out of the garage for the last time (somewhere the Mondeo never went, it wasn't worthy) and drove off up the close, it gutted us all a bit that day. Dad sadly died of Cancer far too early several years ago, but he did at least enjoy about 10 years of early retirement in which time he owned numerous fast BMW's and a Porsche....but all the same G665 RYJ is the thing I associate with him most and arguably the reason I am as into cars as much as I am. If that car was still alive and I saw it, absolutely I would shed a tear.

Tha boxer alfa is magic , i have it in my 145, i keep coming back to this engine, I drive a new bmw Z4 as daily , but that boxer at high rpm is a mini race car

My buddy had one of these. It was an incredible car. Fantastic handling, good acceleration, nice sound, large and comfy inside.

I used to own a 1992 1.7 8v i.e. (with Bosch L Jetronic injection & discs all round (in the front ventilated)) for 18 years & 330.000 kms. Still I miss her. She is always on my mind. Although I own a 147, a mito turbo & 166 V6 24v, I still consider that my 33 was my best Alfa. Bulletproof engine, going mad revving after 3.500 rpm & that boxer engine sound!!!, excellent turn in/steering, very good aerodynamics for the era, lots of room inside & the Alfa control panel was very accurate!!! Great video!!! Keep it up!!!

Spot on. For raw driving appeal, there’s nothing like an Alfa. I own a Sud Sprint and for me it’s one of the best and most fun driver’s car at any price. The 33 is so underrated. Alfa Romeo did not finish developing it before or after it’s launch. Most owners have.

I had one of these about 20 years ago, was much faster than my XR3i. The brakes weren’t the best but it held the road really well and pulled like a train in any gear. Definitely miss it a lot.

Having owned an Alfasud 1.5 TIQV and a 33 1.5 TIQV, I agree that the 33 is more solid (relatively) and pratical (absolute) but the Sud, ah.... One never forgets one's 1st love and the noises made ;)

At 23 my new job came with the option of a company car and I went straight out and ordered a red Alfa 33 1.7 cloverleaf. I loved it despite its alarming torque steer when gunning it off the lights. My girlfriend and I drove it over to Italy and I vividly remember the glorious sound of the engine pops and growls on the mountain passes as we drove over the French border down into Italy.

My brother had a couple of the 16v versions of this and it was a great sounding car that went well, but that warning panel was always lit up like a Christmas tree.

The 33 was basically a different chassis on a Sud. I had a late Sprint 1.7ie Cloverleaf. Bought a wrecked 33 4x4 Sportwagon and mounted the complete running gear on the Sprint, removed the injection and went to carbs, which gave me a Sprint 1.7 Coupe with 4x4 drive with around 130 HP. Was a pretty easy job these day, mostly bolt on

A minor correction. There was a hot version soon after launch. A 105 hp 1.5 twin carb Green Cloverleaf with stiffer suspension, sporty interior etc. It was quick and handled at least as well as the Sud if not better. We upgraded from the Sud to the 1.5 Green Cloverleaf and then onto a 1.7 Green Cloverleaf Sportswagon.

In Spain there was a SEAT IBIZA SXi and Sportline with a Porsche licenced inline 4 OHC and multipoint Bosch injection these run as fast as a Golf Gti if not faster! I had a Sportline 1700i from 1992 on it was realy fast and reliable too, looked like a mix of a Fiat Uno and Tipo (Giugiaro Italdesign) ! The older Seat Rondas (DOHC versions) are also very interesting and especialy the SEAT Boca Negra Fiat 128 derivates are one of my all time favourite hot hatches, you can tune the hell out of them with Abarth, Hörmann or Bayless kits!

My 1st Alfa was the 33 1.5TI, and I loved it. Yes the control system was crazy, the driving position was wrong and the carbs needed resetting every 6 months. But all these years later i am still driving Alfa's due to how this car made me feel.

One of these was my first ever Alfa, the 16 valve - made me fall in love with the marque (had four other Alfas since, my latest being an old GTV V6). The 33's 16 valve boxer engine sounded terrific, actually a bit like a mini-Busso, and it really did pack a punch at the time. Went like a whippet. even my good lady wife loved it, said it got her home in half the time of our other car at the time, an Astra! 🤡 Great video Jack! Tante grazie.

We had 3 Alfa 33s in our family and loved them.

My first car was a 33 1.7 16v QV (3rd gen) and all you said about how it feels to drive is true. Never been in a car quite like it. With the 16v it would go over 200kph which was exciting, scary and amazed the Germans on the autobahn 😊

I have happy memories driving one of these - they are actually rather fun to drive, and can be very fast....There were three generations of 33, modelled after the bigger cars - First was the 'Alfa 75' 33, and this one is an 'Alfa 90' 33. Later there was the '164' 33 - so named by Alfisti for the nose & light design.

I worked on and drove a lot of these and have quite a soft spot for them, they don't give much trouble and what does go wrong is usually easy to fix. The last of them, the 1.7 16v QV, was fuel injected with quad cams and 4 valves per cylinder were a nice car and fairly quick with 0-60 in the low 8s and an achievable 120MPH top speed.

I had a 1991 1.7 16v Mk2 version loved to rev, not much power or torque but only weighed 1000kg, made a good sound, wasn't too unreliable just a broken gear change linkage and cutting out at low revs ( rust from fuel tank blocking the fuel filter) in my 3 years of ownership, changed it for a 164 V6. My friend had a 1989 1.5ti, the alfa control had almost all the warning lights on all the time, but it still started, ran, and stopped, so they were all ignored.

I had one, It was EPIC. It was a series 2 1.7i 16v Inj, 15" TSW Hockenheim R's, Slightly lowered, Absolute WEAPON🤩

The giggles and smiles you would get from that sound track would negate any small issues with performance, just a box of fun on 4 wheels, what more do you need.

Buddy of mine had the 1.7 with carbs, remember driving at 200 kph at 5 am in the morning to be at work at 7 am. Ah yes, and the fuel consumption😢. Those where the days (playing in the background).

Thank you, thank you, thank you, Jack (my version of grazie mille). What a nice car. I mean what a nice example of a great car. No matter all its foibles, it's a fantastic car. Your love for these unreliable, rust prone, temperamental, quick to wear, but brilliant in every way cars shines through clearly. It's just lovely. Look at the styling of the thing! PS why are the foglights missing?

This 33 looks absolutely stunning. What a thing!

I had several Suds, a 1978/9 1.5 with a boot, a 1981 2 door 1.3 hatch, a 1983 4 door 1.5 gold cloverleaf with twin webbers K&N filters and ansa exhaust and a sprint veloce green cloverleaf with net headrests and green seat flecks. Great to drive, never needed to slow down on bends and corners. I used so much filler and fibreglass on the first three. Fun to drive, great engines that never let me down but they just rusted into oblivion.

i think the 33 was the best looking hatch of the 80s early 90s, funny about the hybrid part my dad said in a bout 89 that alfa romeo were always more or less the first cars to feature something other cars did not have

Super review. Make them longer please :)

Thank you so much for featuring the 33 1.7 QV! This was my first car. I loved it so much, the engine could move me to tears.

Had a 33 1.7 IE in the mid 90’s. Great fun. Could fit a couple of bikes in the back, so practical too. Under rated.

It is so great to see a review of the 33, and also other old Alfas. I grew up with 2 33, both station wagons (Sport Wagon): 1.5 from 1984 and 1.7 I.E, facelift model, both 4x4. I learned to drive a car with the 1.7😊 Thanks for your work! Love it! Greetings from the swiss alps

Love the AA card nestling in the centre console - a necessity for any Alfa! I learnt to drive on a 'Sud and have a lot of time for these. My father's later Prisma had a similar unreliable central warning light system which was always going off and best ignored altogether.

I had an Alfa sud ti jack, I went into the back of a bus with it damaged the twin headlights that cost a fortune. It did get repaired and I think I sold it to the guy doing the repairs. I loved that car. It was lovely black.

The proportions were good and the graphics too (the rear lights are still good nowadays). I would love to see a modern redesign of this, but I'm hoping in vain...

I used to hillclimb a 33 until it occurred to me that the Saab 9000 aero I used to tow it with was a much quicker proposition!😂

Great video as always , Great to see videos on alfas 👍 Keep the videos coming always look forward to them You do an awesome job Jack When presenting them 👌

I had a sport wagon cloverleaf. Two enormous twin webers and it was a total beast! It could spin the wheels in 3rd gear. Lovely to drive slowly, terrifying to drive fast - the torque steer was epic.

I had a 1.7 fuel injected green cloverleaf, headlight washers etc. 137bhp was a serious mover...loved it!

Thanks Jack. Your videos are really good and you are well informed.

Jack, thank you so much for doing this video. I got very excited when I saw the image of this video.

What a surprise!! This was my car Alpha 33 - F62 POT. After seeing it again here I’m feeling very nostalgic!! Bought it about 1989 from a garage in Swanwick where it was regularly serviced. We looked after it. I was so proud to own and drive it for fifteen years. Was great to drive had lovely engine sound, only let me down once. It took me to work and back, ferried my boys around to their schools and activities and shopping trips etc. Was sorry to part with it but so great now to see it is alive and well - not on a scrap heap. Mileage was about 25000 when I sold it as it was a second car but incredible it’s been worked on and preserved only doing another 10000 since sold. Maybe I should buy it back! Although I’m attached now to my 15 yr old Mazda MX5. I get very attached to my cars. 😢

When they were new I was in my teens, and always wanted a Mk2 1.7 . Still do. I've never had the privilege of driving a Mk2 33, I just know I'd love it. Fabulous looks.

Don't really understand the comments about pull-capability below 3000 rpm. I had this 1.7-8V hydraulic tappet version (in a Sud though) simultaneously with a 3.0-12V V6 (75). The latter had monster low-end torque (standard cams), but even in comparision the 1.7 sure wasn't bad at all down low either (standard cams). Easily out-grunted many of my friend's big 6-cylinder german multivalve machines.

I loved my two Alfa 33s but time and rust meant I had to sell them whilst I still could. The 1.7 8v had been professionally lowered and handled beautifully, just adding to its charm. The 1.7 16v was a total racehorse and would have had my licence if it could, but was fitted with the standard ‘Alfa reliability’. Great cars, but the one you have tested doesn’t benefit by the aftermarket exhaust or intakes/filters.

I used to lust after the 33 when I was a young man, back in the old country..

My first car was this exact red 1.7 cloverleaf. And as you put it; you are at one with the car. I’ve owned and driven quite a few sporty cars since that 33 but none have ever given me the fun and exitement the 33 did. So happy I’ve kept my 33 stored for all those years and can still take it out to have a blast in. Most fun car to drive ever!!!

Thank you again for letting me ride with you in one of the many Alfas we never got to have in the USA. I look forward to every new video you put out.

I love the 33, i still have a 181 hp 16v engine in storage with 2x double carbs(for about 15 years) One day i wil put it in a 33, sud, or arna lol (its on youtube, bleedforweed)

Glad you enjoyed it! When I bought my rust free South African Sud, I considered, that engine. But I drove a Sud with that engine, in the late 90s and maybe the inboard discs…. ….caused..epic torque steer. But I did calculate this…. A Sud with 118BHP, would have the same power to weight ratio….as an original Lotus Elise 😳

Possibly the best sounding car you’ve had on the channel.

ABSALOUTLY brilliant video Jack ❤👍 what a beautiful car love the style and interior brilliant

My first Alfa was a 86 33 1.5Ti. Very fond memories, l loved punting that car around. It had a certain chuckability that made it a hoot. Your driving description is so spot on. I used to start the motor in my backyard just to listen to that motor, which in my opinion is the best sounding 4cyl ever. One of my Alfa mates had a 1.7 DOHC injected version that just flew, it was amazing.

Great to see this review. I had exactly this model for a few years and loved it. It whizzed me up and down to Rome, put up with the dodgy roads there, and always felt special. I'm sure it also made being accepted by Italians that little bit easier! In the day it seemed they were underrated by the press, especially after the Sud was so venerated. G710 MET I miss you 😢

These were a Gem back in the day when the engines were setup correctly. I used to tune and balance the 4 carbs on these, they love to rev.

Jack, I’ve been on a bit of a binge of your videos the last few days, and I must say they are most enjoyable. Keep it up 👍🏻

Great to see a review of my favourite Alfa model.. I own a 1988 1.7ie and a 1987 Sprint QV but it’s the 33 that puts the biggest smile on my face. I have owned many Suds, Sprints and 33’s as well as more modern Alfas and Fiats over the last 30 years but if I had to keep just one it would be the 8 Valve 33 1.7 - fantastic fun to drive, surprisingly quick point to point and very under-appreciated.

My dad had an Alfa GTV6 back in the day…to say it was troublesome is putting it mildly, but it looked and sounded fabulous…

I love listening to your reviews :)

My late father had an Alfa 33 1.5TI in the early-1990s when I was a wee lad, for about 2 years. His first continental car. I loved the way it looked, sounded and how rigid the whole car felt. One of the reasons I became a petrolhead. My dad’s ownership experience was far from perfect, however. I recall that the first warning light appeared on the drive home from the dealership. Following that, the car was in the workshop at least once every 3-6 months. After that, Papa went back to Japanese cars (Toyotas, Hondas and a Subaru) until his company-issued Mercedes-Benz in the early-2000s.

Love your car videos!

Great work on the car range....Big time appeal for my generation....Bravo!!

The 33 1.7 ti is an incredible driver's car. Everything about the response and driving feel that Jack said is true. The spits and pops the engine makes when lifting the pedal makes the car so alive and playful. I feel much more excited with these cars than I do with a current Guilia QV, 4C , Ferraris and Lambos. I've never driven a Mk1 Golf GTi but I'm sure it will be a bit boring in comparison. I love these so much that I currently have accumulated 3 of these, a red, a white and a dark metallic grey which I want to get repainted in bluette.

You must be the happiest youtube:er I have ever seen! Thank YOU for one of the best channels there is.... 😊

I bought Alfa 33 16V 1990 few years ago and gotta tell I love how it handles and accelerates out of corners. Driving roads with lots of curves and windings is such a great fun

QUADRIFOGLIO delle emozioni! La mia prima auto a 18 anni, color canna di fucile con assetto Koni, freni Ferodo Racing, interni in pelle con volante e pomello Nardi e stereo Alpine. Al posto guida sembrava di essere su una piccola Ferrari per via della posizione bassa e distesa, le linee del cruscotto e degli strumenti e le bocchette della ventilazione tonde. I miei amici all'epoca avevano la Ford Escort, la Golf prima serie e la BMW serie 3: tra le curve non vedevano nemmeno la mia targa, e sui rettilinei lunghi solo la BMW poteva tenerle testa ma tutti le portavano rispetto e ammirazione. Ricordi meravigliosi di un tempo lontano.

Watching these videos and reading comments about alfa 33 just keep me motivated to restore my 33 1.7ie from 1989 😅

The 33 is the best car of always, a little car for the city, a great road car, a car for families long travel, a true Alfa Romeo, a true economical Porsche or a VW Porsche, a little Italian muscle car of the 80s, all the dream car in one

I had a 1985 33Ti(77kw) at the age of 19/20 and it was just fantastic, if you didnt mind the frequent brake repairs, cooling system....but those Webers soundes fantastic! Same colour but much better interior. I would kill for that car today! It outdrove my buddies GTi and my work's Egi...

I had one of these with the same body kit as a company car, my first car was an Alfasud so I jumped at the chance to have this car when the sales guy who ordered it left and nobody else wanted it. I did some pretty huge miles in the car, one day I drove from Milton Keynes to Newcastle and back, my accounts team questioned why I filled up my car 3 times in a day! I remember if being very uncomfortable. It torque steered like a pig. I still fancied the model that followed which had a hotter engine. My Alfasud had a horrible gear change, i eventually found it just needed two new nylon washers at the top of the linkage that cost a few pence, it transformed the gear change.

Love all alfas, after owning seven of them with the last one being a Brera. I will always be a die hard fan of the marque .

I have had a couple of these over the years. Far better than the competition and performance from the 1.7 was fantastic. I had a company 309gti and the performance wasn't in the same league, though the 309 was very good in the bends

Although I’m an ardent Ford fan, I’ve driven numerous Alfasuds and Sprint Veloce’s, their rev happiness and general brio were tremendously enjoyable. Genuine Alfa’s. I still miss my ‘82 Guilietta 2.0. Unfortunately, times never to be seen again for Alfa as long as those morons at Stellantis have a say.

Great review. Made me want one. Thanks.

Great review, Alfas hold a special place with me, owned several, I had one of the last 33 boxer 16v’s, loved that car. I also had a 75 V6 America, that would be a great car to review! 👍🏻

Reminds me a lot of my red Phase One Renault 19 16V, I once owned...such a great Car

Fun car. Love the red and retro design. Nice video. Keep up the god work.

My father bought a new one in 1985 1,5 boxer 4 c and was fantastic I was 10 yrso so U can immagine how pride I was😅😅😅and especially in that period I was lliving in Koper 5 km near Italian border but in ex Yugoslavia nowadays Slovenia.... cheers from Portorose Slovenia ❤❤❤❤

It sure sounds and handles like an Alfa should, Jack! An excellent video!

Still one on my Bucket List after driving one for a hundred miles or so when they were brand new, a 1.7 Veloce in black. Having owned 1.5 ti Suds and a Sprint, the 1.7 engine felt so much more feisty

Had a 1.5ti and its still my 2nd favourite of all time. Used to use that road on the way home from work too. Still looking for another if they haven't all rotted away.

My dad was a Alfa dealer when thise came out and he had one as his company car, on the small roads it was so great and it out drove many cars with more power, We also drove it to Italy on holliday where I got to test the back seat. ;) But to see the love they have for the brand is something I will never forget, you need to say that the 33 had De Watt link on the rear aksel, wich also improved the handle. Later my best friend got the face liftet 16v version, to me that will never come no way near this version.

Your assessments as ever are spot on. My recollections of the Sprint from 30 odd years ago and a 306 rallye from 23 years ago are that the 306 is faster in every way but the Alfa just incredible for noise, sheer connection to the road and feel.... Both are FWD masters. The 33 has had a bad rap over the years but as this video shows sounds and looks wonderful.

Reviews for 33 model are getting more common, a pleasure to watch. A car with a lot of feeling and personality.

All busses and lorries have a “cantered” steering wheel - it’s much more natural than an “upright” ones which are only comfortable to use because of power assistance.

I had this exact model back in 1990 sprayed it white, it was great to drive and I often left many other competitive cars of the time in the dust especially around corners. Only proper Alfa tuners could set it up well. Great review thanks for the distraction and fun reminiscence.

I,ve driven many Alfa's and the 33 first series i enjoyed very much. Better then the Sud, but they were also rust prone. At the end the Nord Alfa's (Alfetta/Giulietta/75/90/GT/GTV/SEi) were the more appealing cars for me. Try to find a Giulietta Turbo Delta for a test drive.....

As ever, really enjoyed this insight, Jack. In terms of other interesting Italian cars I’d like to see you review, could you please do a Lancia Beta HPE - an unusual Lancia that has always fascinated me

I just love these vids !

Have you ever seen a 33 Giardinetta 4x4? There’s a light green one, the next street down from me here in Athens, rust free of course

I traded in my mk2 Golf GTI for one of these - it was a totally different car but I loved it it was a 1.5 ie but it felt so much more alive than the GTI - much more flawed but just more alive ,,,

I’ve had a couple of 33s, the 1.7. Sportwagon Veloce and the 1.7 16v, they were both great cars and lined me up for the 75 2.0 Twinspark and the 3.0 Veloce I would also say that the transaxle cars can have much nicer gear changes with some modifications.

Enjoyed the review of the delightful Alfa 33 with the 8 valve 1.7 litre engine. I found the Alfa 33 with the 16 valve engine with 135 bhp on tap a far superior drive - as the power available finally matched the car's handling dynamics.

It sounds very nice! I never drove one but, many years ago i drove an 75 and it was quite an experience! Beiond the strange configuration of the instruments it gave a good kick

I'm a big fan of the 1980's Alfa design era the Alfa 33 was designed by Ermanno Cressoni who also penned the 75. This car reminds me of my first car a 1985 Fiat Uno 70S 4-door designed by Giorgetto Giugiaro in which you feel at one connected with the car which you don't get anymore with modern cars no car I've owned since has ever been as much fun or had the same feel-good factor.

Great video, I'm currently restoring a Sprint Veloce Trofeo maybe you can borrow that when I'm finished.

I had a 33 TI and after we put double's on the front rails as they were cracked through. Its was a great little car and it surprised many other cars on a mountain road

I had a 1992, 1.7L16 valve cloverleaf permanent 4 wheel drive version, I miss it so much. If you can find P4 to review, you will see a big difference in the drive. My mates had Peugeots, Vauxhalls, Fords and VW's, my alfa was always the one that stood out from the crowd. Mind you servicing was easier on the other brands, trying to get rear wheel bearings, alfa in Reading said "we have never made a 4 wheel drive" !