The Tipo 33 TT 12 is a rather special machine. And this, up for auction at Pebble Beach later this year, is perhaps the finest example.

It is the car that helped Alfa Romeo secure the FIA World Championship of Makes for the very first time in 1975, piloted to victory at Spa, Zeltweg, Pergusa and Watkins Glen by Derek Bell and Henri Pescarolo.

Such was the class of the car that in 1975 Tipo 33s won all but one race it contested and, with only the top seven scores counting towards a team’s final championship points haul, the TT 12 secured Alfa a maximum possible 140 points.

A rapid race car with a big story, striking from every angle.