1965 Alfa Romeo Giulia TZ Coupe

The Alfa Romeo Giulia TZ-1 is often remembered as 'the baby GTO.' Its lightweight Zagato coachwork was hand formed by artisans that had a long history working with the Alfa Romeo marque. During the early 1950s, many privateers used Zagato-bodied variants of the Giulietta and 1900 models in competition, often being rewarded with much success. One of the more successful series of cars was the SVZ, or Sprint Veloce Zagato cars, which first appeared in 1956. This success led to the creation of the SZ, or Sprint Zagato, as a catalogued model in 1960.

The SZ rested upon a shortened standard Sprint platform, and was succeeded in 1963 by the TZ, or Tubolare Zagato. The name TZ was chosen after its new tube-framed chassis around which it was built. The new platform gave the TZ even more stability and was a reduction in weight over the prior SZ model.

The TZ was built in the shops of Autodelta, the Alfa factory's official race team. Power came from a DOHC 1600cc engine that offered 160 horsepower. With an overall weight of just 1455 pounds, the TZ was a very capable vehicle. At its racing debut at the Sebring 12 Hours, the TZ finished with class honors. It would continue this streak at the Targa Florio, the Nurburgring 1000 Km and the 24 Hours of Le Mans in 1964, as well as winning outright in the Tour de Corse and Coupe des Alps.

When the TZ-2 was introduced in 1965, the first generation of the TZ became known as the TZ-1.

This TZ-1 is chassis number 105 and was built in July of 1965 as a 'street' (Stradale) model. In this guise, it had roll-down windows, a leather interior, rear bumpers and a slight increase in sound-deadening materials than the 'race' (corsa) models. Under the bonnet was the higher-tuned twin-plug engine. It is believed that this car was used in competition by its first owner, Luigi Palmieri of Milan. The car was sold in 1984 to Sig. Monzeglio of Turin, Italy, and later sold to Fritz Durnberger of the US in 1997. While in Mr. Durnberger's care, the car was given a restoration. It was then used in vintage racing events in the US, including numerous appearances in the Monterey Historics at Laguna Seca. The current owner purchased the car in 2001.

This car has a five-speed close-ratio gearbox, optional 6x16-inch Campagnola magnesium wheels and the alloy twin plug head.

In 2009, this Giulia TZ-1 was offered for sale at the Gooding & Company auction held in Scottsdale, Arizona. It was expected to sell for $550,000 - $650,000. The lot was sold for a high bid of $440,000, including the buyer's premium.

By Daniel Vaughan | Feb 2010