1965 Alfa Romeo Giulia TZ Coupe

Within motordom there is perhaps no other car manufacturer that has the mystique as Anonima Lombarda Fabbrica Automobili of Milan, Italy. In the years prior to the outbreak of World War II and after, it would be difficult to find one as successful on the track as well. But what is routinely overlooked is Alfa Romeo's dominance right up through the 1960s. Chassis 10511AR750099 calls school back in session.

Whether Le Mans, or the early years of Formula One, there was really no make of car stronger than an Alfa Romeo. In many respects, Alfa Romeo would set the benchmark within motor racing. However, by the late 1950s and early 1960s its name was quickly becoming overshadowed by another about three hours down the road. Enzo Ferrari had taken Alfa Romeo to great fame in grand prix racing prior to the Second World War. Heading into the 1960s, Ferrari was leaving his old employer behind.

But Alfa wasn't dead. The war had caused great devastation to the factory, but this provided an opportunity. In order to be profitable and to stay in business, the company would choose to forego luxury and instead would choose small coupes and two-seaters. This would give rise to the Giulietta line of automobiles, which, by the 1960s, would give way to the Giulia.

The Giulietta line from Alfa Romeo had been a popular choice and many gentleman racers would take to the wheel of the car to compete in races all throughout Italy and all of Europe. Most all of these would be taken and raced by amateur racers. A great deal of success would be had, especially with the Sprint Veloce Zagato (SVZ) examples of the Giulietta. So, though Alfa Romeo created the car, it would take some time before the factory actually realized the success they had on their hands.

The company would soon take notice and would approach Zagato to fashion another upgrade of the SVZ. Then, in 1963, this would be succeeded by another specialized Alfa built for competition. It would be known as the Tubolare Zagato and featured a tube-frame chassis and greater rigidity. This chassis was of the newer Giulia model and would feature a more modern, sleek design. Built by Autodelta, Alfa Romeo's factory effort, the Giulia TZ would boast of a 1.6-liter engine producing around 160hp, disc brakes and a very light chassis to make the best of it.

Only a total of 112 of these examples would ever be built and 10511AR750099 is one of them. Completed in March of 1965, this chassis would be listed with Autodelta and would end up being sold to Societe Francaise Alfa Romeo, which was based in Paris. There it would remain for some time competing in a number of races and playing a part in the Alfa Romeo legend of the 1960s.

Examples of the TZ would go on to capture class victories in the 12 Hours of Sebring, Targa Florio, Nurburgring 1000 Kilometers and even the 24 Hours of Le Mans. This particular chassis' early history would remain something of a mystery but it is without doubt it too earned its share of success.

The car's history picks up in the early 1980s when it began contesting historic events in the hands of Giorgio Schon. Schon and the Alfa would prove successful earning 2nd overall in the 1983 FIA Cup for Historic Cars. Success would continue when it competed in events like the Mugello 3-Hours and the Intereuropa Cup held at Monza. The car would enter these long distance events when it came into the hands of Pietro Brigato.

The 1965 Alfa Romeo Giulia TZ would continue to pass between owners and would actually end up in a collection in Japan for a time before it eventually ended up in England the property of Peter Mullen. Mullen continued the tradition of taking part in historic races and concours events. After a stint with Nigel Williams, the Alfa Romeo would end up in the hands of its current owner, a southern California collector.

The 1965 Alfa Romeo Giulia TZ remains race-ready and with a livery as striking and evocative as the Alfa Romeo mystique. And, whether on the road or on the track, 50099 visually demonstrates an unheralded era of dominance nearly as invincible as the 1930s and the early 1950s.

By Jeremy McMullen