The 1971 Targa is for Alfa

Dutch ace Gijs van Lennep power slides his Alfa Romeo T33/3 on the narrow roads of the mountains of Sicily, during the 1971 Targa Florio (picture-above). It was the 55th edition of the great classic and we witnessed a titanic battle opposing Alfa Romeo and Porsche.

Autodelta entered three Alfa Romeo T33/3s for Andrea de Adamich-Gijs van Lennep, Rolf Stommelen-Leo Kinnunen and for the public’s favourite, racer-teacher Nino Vaccarella partnered by Dutch ace Toine Hezemans.

Porsche came with its super light and powerful 908/3, perfectly suited to the Sicilian twisty roads. As usual, the German marque was represented by the John Wyer Automotive-Team Gulf who entered two cars for Pedro Rodriguez-Herbert Müller and for Jo Siffert-Brian Redman. The Martini Racing entered a third official 908/3 for the excellent Vic Elford and Gérard Larrousse.

Alfa Romeo finally prevailed and scored a prestigious 1-2 to the delight of the Italian fans. Toine Hezemans and Nino Vaccarella (picture-below) finished ahead of the sister car of Gijs van Lennep and Andrea de Adamich.