1964 Alfa Romeo Canguro

Most of the Alfa Romeo TZ2's received their bodies from the Milan-based coachbuilder, Zagato. Two, however, received custom coachwork by Bertone and Pininfarina. The example bodied by Bertone's own Giorgetto Giugiaro and was dubbed 'Canguro'. This example was constructed in 1964 and built atop a tubular steel space-frame and sat six inches lower than the TZ. On all four corners were thirteen-inch forged magnesium wheels.

This was intended to be a road-going concept and as such, was probably powered by an Alfa Romeo 130-horsepower engine that could also be found in the original TZ. The body was elegant, aerodynamic, and curvy. The door curved into the roofline and continued its descent down the wraparound windscreen. The headlights were covered which helped protect them from the elements and aided in the vehicle's aerodynamic principles.

The body was constructed from lightweight, yet sturdy aluminum. It is believed that production versions would have used fiberglass instead.

The Alfa Romeo Bertone Canguro made its inaugural debut in October of 1964 at the Paris Motor Show. Though there was much interest in the car, the company decided not to put it into production. Later, the only prototype constructed was damaged by a journalist. The vehicle remained in pieces for nearly three decades before a Japanese collector/enthusiast had the car restored in the early seventies.

The vehicle was shown at the 2005 Concorso d'Eleganza Villa d'Este.

By Daniel Vaughan | Feb 2007