Thursday 19th September 2013

Alfa Tipo 33 on the Targa Florio: Time for Tea?

Vic Elford, the Sicilian hills and a Tipo 33 - this one's worth a watch

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It won't have escaped your attention we're achingly close to reading (and seeing!) what the Alfa 4C is all about. We'll have a review with you ASAP, but this slice of classic Alfa will have to suffice for now.

There's a fabulous juxtaposition in this video between the frenzied nature of the moving footage and Vic Elford's rather prosaic commentary. But there's some real gold from Vic as he describes driving the Targa Florio. He talks of having his 'practice accidents' at one section, where this direct quote is forthcoming: "And then last year; ha, last year I hit a loca." Bonkers.

Vic is also remarkably prescient too, calling the Florio "a relic from the past" and suggesting that its days were numbered. The last event was held in 1977, five years after this footage was filmed.

This video, whilst a wonderful reminder of the commitment and bravery of men like Elford, also serves to remind us why the historic road races can't run anymore. Sheep and people wander where they please and most of the barriers appear incapable of stopping anything more than a pushbike.

That arguably makes the driving even more heroic, and the noise is really something to savour. It should stave off 4C cravings for a couple more minutes too.
 

[Ved]

Not a bad noise, I suppose

[deltashad]

Not that quick, Lancia Flaminia coupe up its ass at 1:15

[astra la vista]

"And then last year; ha, last year I hit a loca."

i was wondering what a loca was until i heard the actual commentary.

[ttthilvester]

This hits the spot!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qd1i1ZP3Aec

[Tib]

Aint this a re-post. I swear there was the full video a few years back.

Although I'm not complaining. Bloke's a hero.

[lufbramatt]

ttthilvester said:

This hits the spot!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qd1i1ZP3Aec

Christ, think I need a lie down after that

[jp7152]

ttthilvester said:

This hits the spot!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qd1i1ZP3Aec

!!!

Wow

[carinaman]

The full video with Vic Elford commentary and music is great.

A young Helmut Marko looks like Christian Horner?

The Alfa Tipo 33 also features in this months Motor Sport magazine. They removed the seat so Andrew Frankel could get into it to drive it.

[chevronb37]

Real star car from the 1972 Targa was the 312PB, of course...;)

[2volvos]

Speed Merchants is always my go to Racing DVD. Superb film on so many levels.

Always want to believe Bonnier is going to survive Le Mans.

[dinkel]

That Elford clip is a favourite and for years.

There might be some Tipo 33 at Spa this weekend.

[PascalBuyens]

dinkel said:

There might be some Tipo 33 at Spa this weekend.

http://www.roadbook.be/spasixhours/en/index.html

Can't see it mentioned, unless it's hiding in the CanAm Interseries Challenge

[clubsportguy]

Good video but not as good as Brian Redman driving a Porsche 914 on the same event for a demo run !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Chris71]

ttthilvester said:

This hits the spot!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qd1i1ZP3Aec

Off topic, but I clicked on one of the other hill climb videos to the side. WTF is this at 4:37?
http://youtu.be/fQV3j_I0LBg?t=4m35s

[carinaman]

It looks like a stripped down Combine Harvester to me.

[carinaman]

The twinkly piano at the beginning of the full 7-8 minute Vic Elford narrated film reminds me of Climb Dance with Ari Vatanen.

[deltashad]

jp7152 said:

ttthilvester said:

This hits the spot!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qd1i1ZP3Aec

!!!

Wow

Quite!

[dinkel]

PascalBuyens said:

dinkel said:

There might be some Tipo 33 at Spa this weekend.

http://www.roadbook.be/spasixhours/en/index.html

Can't see it mentioned, unless it's hiding in the CanAm Interseries Challenge

Check FB, Pedro snapped one sitting in the F1 paddocks.

[soad]

Ved said:

Not a bad noise, I suppose

Indeed. Put a smile on my face.

[Fantuzzi]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HD0Of86W750

Here some more of Alfas 33 engine note, think you have to wait a minute for the race to start and the music begin...