On June 24, 2020, it's the 110th anniversary of Alfa Romeo, one of the most romanticized automotive brands in history. So, in the lead up to this auspicious occasion, expect to see many stories of Alfa's colorful history, which is filled with some of the most beautiful cars ever designed. As gorgeous as the current Alfa Romeo Giulia sedan and 4C Spider may be, they were preceded by some design icons that have stood the test of time.

Possibly top of this list is the mesmerizing Alfa Romeo Tipo 33 Stradale, now over half a century old, and possibly considered the best piece of work by designer Franco Scaglione. Only 18 examples of the 33 were made in the late 1960s, and according to reports, less than 10 are known to still exist.

This particular model is the only Tipo 33 Stradale that was painted in the lustrous shade of Royal Blue, and its first owner was Count Corrado Augusta, an Italian aviation tycoon. At some point down the line, the 33 was painted red - still an Alfa Romeo staple - until a 5,000-hour restoration process ensued. Egon Zweimuller oversaw the sale of this iconic Alfa to a Swiss collector and also shared the video above of the lovingly restored classic.

The rounded, muscular lines of the 33 have aged remarkably well considering it has been over 50 years. Its design is in stark contrast to the Alfa Romeo Carabo Concept, which had the same chassis but was the 33's polar opposite with its sharp, wedge lines, and scissor doors. The Carabo was soon followed by the similarly edgy Lamborghini Countach, which is fast approaching its own 50-year anniversary.

But while the Carabo is respected, the 33 is deeply loved to this day. The beautifully restored blue Tipo 33 was expected to make a rare appearance at the Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance this year, which would have been most opportune considering it's the brand's milestone 110th anniversary. We hope that this majestic sports car gets a deserved unveiling sooner rather than later. For now, though, at least we get to enjoy these visuals of a design icon.

For those who may be curious, under the rear decklid of the 33 Stradale, a 2.0-liter V8 engine generated 227 horsepower and 152 lb-ft of torque, enabling a sub-six-second 0-60 mph sprint and a glorious soundtrack. However, due to the handbuilt nature of each of the 33s, figures varied, and some models had higher outputs of up to 243 hp on their factory datasheets.