1963 Alfa Romeo TZ1 Zagato Coupe

During 1964, this 1963 Alfa Romeo TZ1 Zagato Coupe competed at LeMans, the 1000Km Nurburgring, the Tour de France, Tour de Corse and at Criterium Cevennes. Following the 1964 campaign, this car was returned to the Alfa Romeo factory where it was totally dismantled and put into storage at the home of one of the team mechanics. The car was rediscovered in 2002 in original condition throughout and must be the most original TZ1 in existence. The original engine was not with the car, but was soon found at Auto Delta and reunited wit the car. Despite the fact that this is chassis 003, the original engine was 002, which was documented in its original 1964 LeMans paperwork. The car has full FIA papers.

History
Alfa Romeo introduced their 105 Series Giula range at Monza in 1962. The chassis was based on the previous Giulietta and 101 series, plus a major suspension upgrade and disc brakes.

At the 1963 FISA Monza Cup, a competition version of the Giulia was introduced. It was named the Giulia TZ after its Tubolare spaceframe chassis and lightweight Zagato coachwork. It is believed that between 1963 and 1967, fewer than 100 examples were built. The TZ, often called the TZ-1, was a purpose-built GT car developed with the assistance of Autodelta. The engine was the same basic 1570cc unit found in the Sprint Speciale and Spider Veloce. The gearbox had heavy duty, close ratio gears and a short-throw lever.

The body was formed to be aerodynamic. The height was reduced by tilting the engine in the frame, allowing for a lower bonnet. Research performed by Dr. Wunibald Kamm gave the TZ a 'coda tronca', otherwise known as the Kamm tail, in the rear bodywork.

The TZ would achieve success in rally competition, with a win at the Alpine Rally in 1964. It would earn class wins at Sebring, LeMans, the Targa Florio, and Nurburgring in the same year.

This TZ is chassis number 003 and remains in its original Verde Bottiglia (bottle green) livery. It was entered in the 1964 1000 Kilometers of Nurburginrg, then in the 24 Hours of LeMans. It was driven by Franco-Italian team of Jean Rolland and Fernand Masoero and crashed on lap 47 in the fifth hour of the race. It was given a new nose with a single horizontal air vent, and later entered in the Tour de France, the Tour de Corse, and the Criterium Cevennes.

In 1965, it is believed the car returned to Autodelta where it was dismantled to some extent. In 2002 it was discovered, though many of its parts and disappeared. The original body was intact with the chassis, and later the engine block was located. The car was rebuilt and shown in 2004 at the Retromobile in 2004 in unfinished condition. The current owner purchased the car in 2006 and performed a cosmetic restoration.

The car has its original engine (AR005110002) plus an un-numbered engine with twin plug head is current installed in the engine bay.

In the 1980s, another 003 chassis surfaced, but over time it has been discredited and often referred to as a 'replica TZ.'

In 2009, this TZ was offered for sale at the Sports & Classics of Monterey auction in Monterey, California presented by RM Auctions. The car was estimated to sell for $375,000-$475,000. The lot was sold for the sum of $302,500 including buyer's premium.