Alfa Romeo 33 Stradale “Perla Nera” Trades Paint for Exposed Carbon Fibre

The unique commission pairs matte carbon-fibre bodywork with a cabin tailored to its owner, including a specially fitted driver’s seat.

• Perla Nera is the only car in the 33-unit series with fully exposed, matte-finish carbon-fibre bodywork.
• Personal touches include redesigned seats and headrests, an engraved selector and matching Alcantara luggage.
• Its twin-turbocharged V6 produces more than 630 horsepower, with a claimed 0–100 km/h time below three seconds.

Building just 33 examples already makes the Alfa Romeo 33 Stradale exclusive. One owner has taken the customization further with “Perla Nera,” a unique commission unveiled at the Alfa Romeo Museum in Arese on September 28.

The name, Italian for “Black Pearl,” was chosen and registered by the owner, an Alfa Romeo collector. Its defining feature is fully exposed carbon-fibre bodywork with a matte finish, a combination Alfa Romeo says will appear on no other car in the series.

Carbon Fibre Becomes the Design

The material does more than replace painted body panels. Alfa Romeo arranged the carbon-fibre weave to follow the car’s contours, emphasizing the V-shaped motif on the hood and creating a herringbone pattern along the roof.

Achieving that appearance required workers to lay the carbon fibre by hand in the mould, carefully aligning the material across the surfaces. The owner participated in the development of the weave pattern and its technical execution.

All-black wheels complete the exterior. Most exterior badging has been removed, leaving only the Alfa Romeo emblems and giving the exposed weave more visual prominence.

A Seat Fitted to Its Owner

Inside, black Alcantara and carbon fibre continue the exterior theme. The customization goes beyond upholstery choices: the driver’s seat was developed around the owner’s physique through dedicated fitting sessions.

The work also reinterprets Alfa Romeo’s ribbed “cannelloni” upholstery pattern, repeating it on the door panels and side sills. Redesigned headrests incorporate a carbon-fibre insert bearing the Perla Nera name.

Other personal details include the owner’s initials engraved on the Alfa rotary selector and a black Alcantara luggage set carrying the car’s production number. Quadrifoglio and Autodelta symbols appear inside, adding references to Alfa Romeo’s racing history.

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More Than 630 Horsepower

Perla Nera uses a 3.0-litre twin-turbocharged V6 producing more than 630 horsepower. An eight-speed dual-clutch transmission sends power to the rear wheels.

Alfa Romeo quotes a top speed of 333 km/h and acceleration from 0 to 100 km/h in under three seconds. The structure combines an aluminum H-frame chassis with a carbon-fibre monocoque.

Inspired by the original 1967 33 Stradale, the modern car is the first project from Bottega Alfa Romeo, now part of the BOTTEGAFUORISERIE operation serving Alfa Romeo and Maserati.

Perla Nera will remain on display at the Alfa Romeo Museum until October 18.