1969 Alfa Romeo Iguana Concept

In the late-1960s, Alfa Romeo commissioned Giorgetto Giugiaro to pen a design for a concept car that would be previewed at the Sports Car Show in Monza and presented officially at the Turin Auto Show in 1969. Based on the Alfa Romeo 33 Stradale road-going version of the Tipo 33/2, the Iguana Concept was the first Alfa Romeo model designed by Giugiaro as head of his own carrozzeria. Its sleek, modern, and wedge-shaped design followed a similar design theme as a few other concepts of the time, especially those by Marcello Ganini of Bertone, including the one-off Lamborghini Marzal concept of 1967.

The Iguana rested on a tubular steel chassis from the Stradale with a 92.5-inch wheelbase, a length of 159.4-inches, and a height of 41.3-inches. It had a mid-mounted engine, rear-wheel drive, and a fiberglass body that was painted a metal-flake grey. The roof frame and cabin pillars were finished in brushed metal, a similar treatment that Giugiaro would later apply to the DMC DeLorean.

Giugiaro would apply several design cues of the Iguana into future projects including the Porsche Tapiro and Maserati Bora. Both would wear a similar low-sloping nose between raised sections over the wheels. Rear elements were incorporated into the Alfetta GT.

Power was initially sourced from an aluminum V8 engine with a 1,995cc displacement and generating 230 horsepower at 8,000 RPM. In a fully tuned state, the engine could develop nearly 270 horsepower but was detuned to improve reliability and useability. The engine used a SPICA fuel injection system and a six-speed Colotti gearbox. This engine was replaced later in life with a 2,593cc V8, the same engine powering the Montreal. Stopping power was courtesy of Girling discs and the suspension was comprised of upper and lower A-arms in the front and rear. Campagnolo alloy wheels were at all four corners.

The Alfa Romeo Iguana remained a concept and never entered production.

By Daniel Vaughan | Aug 2021

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