1960 Alfa Romeo Sprint Zagato

The origins of the Alfa Romeo Sprint Zagato begin with a wrecked Tipo 750 Giulietta Sprint Veloce, carefully and expertly repurposed by Elio Zagato into something greater. The resulting 'SVZ', or Sprint Veloce Zagato, was attractive, lightweight (about 260 lbs lighter than the Coupe on which it was based) and highly competitive, inspiring other Sprint Veloce owners to perform similar modifications, prompting Alfa Romeo to contract Carrozzeria Zagato to build a limited run of factory-sanctioned racing cars. Zagato built 18 re-bodied Veloces (SVZ) before its logical successor arrived in 1960 as the SZ (Sprint Zagato).

Italian coachbuilding enjoyed a renaissance during the 1950s, as Italy's talented carrozzerie's were kept busy with a seemingly endless array of one-offs, low-volume specials, and production bodies. Zagato's association with Alfa Romeo stretched much farther back in time, to the 1930s with the 6C and 8C sports cars.

In typical Zagato fashion, the thin alloy coachwork of the SZ was minimal, lightweight and aerodynamic, complemented by the already potent Veloce foundation. It rested on the short-wheelbase chassis (88.5 inches / 2248 mm) of the Spider and was equipped with a full-synchromesh five-speed gearbox, high-performance Tipo AR120 engine, and powerful finned aluminum drum brakes. The all-alloy inline four-cylinder engine displaced 1,290 cc, had dual overhead camshafts, twin Weber 40 DCO3 carburetors, and produced 100 horsepower at 6,500 RPM. The suspension was independent at the front and a live axle setup at the rear.

Designated by type no. 101.26, the Giulietta SZ with lightweight bodywork designed by Ercole Spada at Zagato premiered in 1960 at the Geneva Salon. Delivered to customers beginning in late 1960. By the time production ceased in 1962, approximately 217 Giulietta SZs were built, including around 40 (as many as 46) examples of the updated 'Coda Tronca,' the direct predecessor to the Giulia TZ. The original SZ had a rounded rear end and is referred to as the 'Coda Tonda' or 'round tail.' The Kamm design with the longer rear end is known as the 'Coda Tronca' or 'truncated tail.' The Coda Tronca had front disc brakes and are sometimes known as the 'SZ2.'

Coupe by Zagato
Chassis #: AR1012600018

Due to several existing cars being re-bodied by Zagato, there are discrepancies in the production numbers.

The SZ was the premier small-displacement sports car of the early 1960s and rivaled GT cars of far greater displacement. It was a true dual-purpose competition car that dominated the 1300 GT class in endurance events, circuit races, rallies, and hill climbs. From the beginning, its competition efforts were rewarded with a string of victories at Monza, the Grand Prix of Naples, and the Targa Florio.

by Daniel Vaughan | May 2024