Alfa Romeo 33 Stradale: American Glynn Bloomquist Finalizes His Unique Spec

Rhea-AI Summary

Alfa Romeo has unveiled the new 33 Stradale, a -edition supercar with only 33 units personally specified by their owners. Texan entrepreneur Glynn Bloomquist is one of these exclusive owners and has finalized his custom model with unique features, including a Rosso Villa d'Este exterior paint, white stripe, and No. 14 honoring Enzo Ferrari and A.J. Foyt. The 33 Stradale is a tribute to the iconic 1967 model, combining artisan craftsmanship, cutting-edge technology, and customer specifications. Bloomquist's passion for American and Italian motorsports influenced his design choices, creating a car that reflects both Alfa Romeo's heritage and modern innovation.

Positive

• production run of only 33 units enhances exclusivity and potential value.
• Combines heritage with modern technology, appealing to both classic car enthusiasts and tech-savvy buyers.
• Custom specifications allow for personalized ownership experience, increasing customer satisfaction.
• Tribute to the iconic 1967 model strengthens brand heritage and emotional connection.
• Use of high-end materials and artisanal craftsmanship ensures high quality and attention to detail.

Negative

• production run may result in supply constraints, potentially disappointing interested buyers.
• High price point could limit market accessibility to only affluent customers.
• Custom build process may involve longer wait times for delivery, affecting customer satisfaction.

AUBURN HILLS, Mich., May 24, 2024 /PRNewswire/ --

• Texan and entrepreneur Glynn Bloomquist, one of the 33 passionate owners of the new Alfa Romeo 33 Stradale, recently visited the Alfa Romeo History Museum in Arese for an immersive brand experience
• Reveling in "Bottega Alfa Romeo," Bloomquist finalized exclusive features of his car, including:  
  • Rosso Villa d'Este multilayer exterior paint with a white stripe on the front
  • No. 14 on the sides, in homage to his two favorite drivers Enzo Ferrari and A.J. Foyt
• As a true Alfista, Bloomquist intends to fully experience the pure emotional thrill only an Alfa Romeo can convey on the track and along roads in his home state of Texas
• New Alfa Romeo 33 Stradale is a result of skillfully combining artisan processes, technological innovation and customer specifications
• The 33 Stradale builds serve as an authentic "manifesto" of the Italian brand's capabilities – now and in the future – in terms of style and driving experience

With the rebirth of the custom-built 33 Stradale, Alfa Romeo's new limited-edition supercar follows in the footsteps of the 1960s icon and one of the most beautiful cars of all time — the Tipo 33. Fittingly, the new Alfa Romeo 33 Stradale will be offered in only 33 personally specified units. Among the exclusive customers is American Glynn Bloomquist of Texas.

"I was born in a hospital on an Air Force base, maybe that's where my love of speed and maximum performance comes from," said Bloomquist while introducing himself a few weeks ago to the Alfa Romeo team in Italy, where he finalized in person the one-off configuration of his Alfa Romeo 33 Stradale. The meeting took place at the Alfa Romeo Museum in Arese, an iconic location where some of the most beautiful cars in the world are kept, including the fascinating historic 33 Stradale that inspired the new custom-built car.

After an exclusive visit to the museum, the Alfa Romeo team welcomed Mr. Bloomquist to the Sala del Consiglio of the Museum in Arese, where the design of the 33 Stradale was approved in 1967, now the Bottega Alfa Romeo's headquarters. In this symbolic place, the brand's designers, engineers and historians met and listened to the 33 owners, then created alongside them what have become unique works of art and an authentic "manifesto" of the Italian brand's capabilities – now and in the future – in terms of style and driving experience.

"Alfa Romeo created the new 33 Stradale, a tribute to the legendary 1967 original, for the most passionate of Alfisti around the world, including right here in America," said Larry Dominique, SVP, head of Alfa Romeo North America. "A true Alfista, Glynn Bloomquist will be representing the Alfa Romeo brand in the most fitting way, by driving his 33 Stradale in the Lone Star state, on both streets and racetracks, to experience the visceral thrill that only a 620-horspower mid-engine Alfa Romeo supercar can deliver."

With a production run of 33 exclusive units, the new two-seat coupe combines heritage and the future, and is produced according to a unique artisanal process with the highest quality standards and attention to detail, similar to workshops of renowned Italian coachbuilders in the 1960s. One of these was Carrozzeria Touring Superleggera, which left its mark on some of the most beautiful Alfa Romeos of all time and now plays a leading role in the production of the new 33 Stradale.

Passion for American racing and discovery of Italian motorsport
Growing up with a father who was passionate about American racing and muscle cars, Glynn Bloomquist quickly fell in love with U.S. motorsports, a passion that soon saw him move to Indianapolis for work, where his photography company sponsored the legendary Indianapolis 500, the greatest championship for open-wheel cars in the U.S.

"I spent 10 years traveling the world sponsoring IndyCar," said Bloomquist. "Some of my fondest memories of that time are of our first driver, Jimmy Vasser. In 1992 as a rookie, he climbed the podium at Indianapolis after setting the speed record for a rookie in Indy 500 history: over 222 mph."

Building on these experiences in racing, Bloomquist began to shift his focus abroad to discover the sporting heritage of European brands, especially in Italy. The ones that impressed him the most were Alfa Romeo and Ferrari, two brands unique in the world for their sporting history, made-in-Italy design and cutting-edge technology. Reading a book about Enzo Ferrari, Bloomquist discovered the unbreakable bond between the renowned entrepreneur and the Alfa Romeo brand, a 20-year relationship during which Enzo Ferrari acted as tester, driver, commercial collaborator and, finally, director of the legendary Alfa Romeo racing department. 

From that moment on, Bloomquist's interest in Italian motorsports evolved into a true passion that resulted in his purchase of Italian cars. A recent addition to his collection is a magnificent Alfa Romeo Giulia Quadrifoglio 100th Anniversary edition, which he had the privilege of driving on the F1 track at the Circuit of the Americas in Austin, as the Alfa Romeo team's guest in 2023. That was when he met Cristiano Fiorio, head of the 33 Stradale project, who offered him the opportunity of a lifetime.

"It didn't take me long to accept the idea of becoming one of the 33 customers of the new Alfa Romeo custom-built car, as long as it was red and red alone," said Bloomquist with a smile. Fiorio himself recounts, "from the first time we met in Austin, we had a special relationship with Glynn. The human engagement he brought to the project, and the passion in his and the team's approach to the configuration process are truly something unique. No less unique is the wonderful model he has passionately configured for the brand and for the history of world motorsports."

Configuration inspired by its forerunner with a contemporary flair
As per his request, Bloomquist's new 33 Stradale sports a multilayer Rosso Villa d'Este livery embellished with a horizontal white band in the front, quite a rare design element in supercars. It revisits, with a contemporary flair, the red and white color combination of the Tipo 33, a 1960s motorsports legend and forerunner of the 1967 33 Stradale. Likewise, he decided on the location of the legendary Quadrifoglio and Autodelta logos, on special rear air intakes, as well as the design of the new 20-inch "Progressive" alloy wheels in black with carbon-fiber inserts.

With one eye on the iconic 1967 33 Stradale on display at the Arese Museum, for the interior Bloomquist opted for the Tributo configuration in two-tone slate and biscuit with trim in aluminum, adding slate Alcantara upholstery for the dashboard and part of the seats, door panels and central tunnel, combined with a specific, very fine biscuit-colored leather. The Texan also requested the inclusion of the No. 14 on the outside of the doors and in the interior embroidered on the headrests in homage to two exceptional drivers who used it on their racecars: Enzo Ferrari on his 1920s Alfa Romeo and A.J. Foyt on his Foyt Coyote. Choosing the number 14 is a tribute to Alfa Romeo's sporting heritage and to the legendary American racer who won the Indianapolis 500 four times and USAC championship seven times. In short, the configuration of Bloomquist's 33 Stradale is a veritable handbook of Italian and U.S. automotive sportiness.

"I can't wait to get my hands on the steering wheel of my 33 Stradale and hear the sound of its 3.0-liter twin-turbo V-6 engine with over 620 horsepower," said Bloomquist. "Of course, it won't stay sitting in the garage. In and around central Texas, where I live, there are plenty of fantastic streets and circuits where I track all my cars, and my Alfa Romeo custom build will be no exception."

Alfa Romeo
Born in 1910 in Milan, Italy, Alfa Romeo has designed and crafted some of the most stylish and sporty cars in automotive history. That tradition lives on today as Alfa Romeo continues to take a unique and innovative approach to automobiles. The Alfa Romeo Stelvio sets a benchmark in performance, style and technology in an SUV. The award-winning Alfa Romeo Giulia delivers race-inspired performance, advanced technologies and an exhilarating driving experience to the premium midsize sedan segment. In early 2023, Alfa Romeo will offer its first compact SUV with the all-new Tonale. The globally available Tonale is part of a radical evolution taking place at Alfa Romeo, which looks ahead to a new era of electrification and connectivity. Alfa Romeo is part of the portfolio of brands offered by leading global automaker and mobility provider Stellantis. For more information regarding Stellantis (NYSE: STLA), please visit www.stellantis.com.

Follow Alfa Romeo brand news and video on:
Company blog: http://blog.stellantisnorthamerica.com
Media website: http://media.stellantisnorthamerica.com
Alfa Romeo newsroom: https://media.stellantisnorthamerica.com/newsroom.do?id=292&mid=446
Consumer website: www.alfaromeousa.com and www.alfaromeo.com
Facebook: Alfa Romeo USA
Instagram: @alfaromeousa
Twitter: @alfaromeousa and @StellantisNA
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/StellantisNA

 

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SOURCE Stellantis

FAQ

What is the Alfa Romeo 33 Stradale?

The Alfa Romeo 33 Stradale is a new -edition supercar with only 33 units, combining heritage with modern innovation.

Who is Glynn Bloomquist in relation to Alfa Romeo 33 Stradale?

Glynn Bloomquist is a Texan entrepreneur and one of the 33 exclusive owners of the new Alfa Romeo 33 Stradale.

What are the specific features of Glynn Bloomquist's Alfa Romeo 33 Stradale?

Glynn Bloomquist's Alfa Romeo 33 Stradale features Rosso Villa d'Este exterior paint, a white stripe, and the No. 14, honoring Enzo Ferrari and A.J. Foyt.

When did Glynn Bloomquist finalize his Alfa Romeo 33 Stradale?

Glynn Bloomquist finalized his Alfa Romeo 33 Stradale on May 24, 2024.

How does the Alfa Romeo 33 Stradale pay tribute to its 1967 predecessor?

The new Alfa Romeo 33 Stradale pays tribute to the 1967 model by combining artisan craftsmanship, cutting-edge technology, and a design that reflects the classic car's aesthetics.

What is the significance of the No. 14 on Glynn Bloomquist's Alfa Romeo 33 Stradale?

The No. 14 on Glynn Bloomquist's Alfa Romeo 33 Stradale honors legendary drivers Enzo Ferrari and A.J. Foyt.

What is the engine specification of the new Alfa Romeo 33 Stradale?

The new Alfa Romeo 33 Stradale features a 3.0-liter twin-turbo V-6 engine with over 620 horsepower.

Where was the Alfa Romeo 33 Stradale's design finalized?

The design of the Alfa Romeo 33 Stradale was finalized at the Alfa Romeo History Museum in Arese, Italy.