The Japanese enthusiast who ordered an Alfa Romeo 33 Stradale
The new Alfa Romeo 33 Stradale supercar, which shook Alfa Romeo enthusiasts and supercar fans worldwide on 30 August 2023 with the release of official photos, an overview, and a video called “World Premiere”, has been named after the iconic car. Only 33 units will be produced worldwide in honor of its iconic name. The number of happy enthusiasts who can own the supercar, the second coming of the legendary Alfa Tipo 33/2 Stradale super sports car, is therefore extremely limited. The fact that there is at least one Japanese Alfista among these happy enthusiasts has now been revealed.
Head of the group of craftsmen who support the Japanese automobile industry
The new “33 Stradale” is a full-body homage to the classic Alfa Romeo Tipo 33/2 Stradale of yesteryear, a self-cover, so to speak. The Japanese enthusiast who has recently been revealed as one of the 33 passionate owners of this magnificent supercar is Noriaki Uchino, President of Uchino Seisakusho Co Ltd, a manufacturer specializing in the prototype machining of precision gears.
Founded in 1927, Uchino Seisakusho is a manufacturer that processes and manufactures precision gears used in racing machines that compete in the world’s most prestigious races, including F1, WEC, and MotoGP, as well as in the prototype cars of most Japanese automobile manufacturers. In particular, the company’s achievements in the second phase of Honda F1 in the 1980s and 1990s have become legendary in the motorsport world.
As the head of such a group of “artisans”, President Uchino is said to have made a significant contribution to the career development of Uchino Manufacturing in the automobile industry. The 33 Stradale, which is a perfect example of his aesthetic eye, will feature an exclusive program that will allow the owner of 33 orders to choose not only the interior and exterior materials and colors but also the powertrain. Firstly, there will be two powertrain options, comprising a petrol engine version and a BEV version.
The petrol engine model is powered by a V6 3.0-litre twin-turbo with a maximum output of 620 hp, a top speed of 333 km/h, and 0-100 km/h acceleration in under 3 seconds. The other battery EV model is claimed to have a maximum system output of 750 hp or more and an estimated range of up to 450 km (WLTP standard values). Of these, Mr Uchino selected the former. The gasoline V6 twin-turbo version was selected by Mr. Uchino.
Royal Blue was chosen as the body color
As for the exterior, which sublimates the design essence of the original Tipo 33/2 Stradale, the masterpiece of the genius Franco Scaglione, into the modern age, Mr. Uchino, who loves Italian culture and beauty, says it “reminds him of the beautiful Italian blue sky”. As he says, “It reminds me of the beautiful Italian blue sky”, he chose an elegant royal blue for the body color and matching red for the details such as the lights and brake calipers.
In addition, Uchino’s particular attention to detail was also fully utilized in the interior, which is said to be a modern sublimation of the Tipo 33/2 Stradale’s style.
The beautifully designed cabin comprises seats and inner trim in high-quality grey Alcantara fabric. It will also be adorned with lightweight sports pedals and dark brushed aluminum footrests.
In March 2024, Mr Uchino visited Milan, Italy, where he had a fruitful meeting with the Bottega design team at Alfa Romeo’s headquarters, and also visited the Museo Storico Alfa Romeo (Alfa Romeo History The museum’s iconic Scaglione, the original Tipo 33/2 Stradale, was inspected as if seeking inspiration for the design of his beloved car. He also spoke about his bond with Alfa Romeo, having used modern Alfa Romeo supersports such as the 4C and Giulia GTAm.
Uchino then reconfirmed the composition of the cars he custom ordered based on his experiences in Milan and Arese. With his new car, he has decided to anticipate the noble Italian sports of the 21st century and express his respect for the brand’s traditions, which have been passed down from generation to generation since before World War II.
What kind of finish will the 33 Stradale, chosen by the leader of Japan’s world-class “craftsmanship”, descend on Japan? …… And will other Japanese enthusiasts besides Mr Uchino will order the new 33 Stradale? ……? Curiosity knows no bounds.
translated by DeepL