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.'

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 Dan Vaughan

Coupe by Zagato
Chassis number: AR 00126 00051
Engine number: AR 00120 00175

Born of fact or fable, the Giullieta body-styling by Alfa Romeo during the 1960s certainly fits well within the romantic mood of the 60s and the place Alfa Romeo holds in the heart of many of its passionate fans. One of the most passionate and evoking of the Giulietta body-styles would be the Sprint Zagato.

Boasting of elements from Alfa's extensive racing heritage, and yet, having supple and appealing lines, it would be little wonder the Sprint Zagato would be one of the most desirable of the Giulietta line.

Much of the draw and exciting surrounding the car would be the sheer amount of time Zagato would spend on each and every body that would be mated to the Alfa Romeo chassis. Apparently no fewer than 300 hours would be spent refining and making sure each body fit perfectly with its mate. For this reason alone it would not be at all surprising that just 200 examples were ever to be produced. And even smaller number of these would be the long-tailed 'Coda Tronca'.

Known as the 'Coda Tonda', the Sprint Zagato would be sporty enough to take to the race track. And many of the 200 produced would see time on the track. Unfortunately, that would mean many would not return with hardly any original equipment, or, they would not return at all.

Offered at RM Auctions' event at the Grimaldi Forum in Monaco would be a rather rare Sprint Zagato. Of the 200 produced, chassis AR 00126 00051 would not see one moment on the race track, and therefore, would be one of the lucky ones to retain its original 135 bhp, 1300 cc inline four-cylinder engine.

This particular chassis was originally delivered to a Mr. Philip Vyvyan of London, England. Originally finished in Rosso Alfa Romeo and the traditional black interior, the car would be registered in the UK in February of 1961. Amazingly, the car still bears the same registration number it received all the way back in 1961. The owner, Mr. Vyvyan would keep the car away from the tough riggers of racing and would only use the car as a road car.

In 1965, the car would be sold via Taylor and Crawley, two London-based dealers, to another Brit, Michael William Stow of Henley-on-Thames. A Cambridge man by the name of Richard Anthony Springett would be the next to own the car before it was purchased by an Italian collector in the 1990s.

When the car was purchased it almost immediately underwent restoration. The majority of the car had never been touched ever since it left Zagato new back in '61. Therefore, the car had need of some restoration. However, while the restoration would get underway, it would never reach its destination. Still, the car remained with the Italian collector.

After much persuasion, and a lot of other efforts, the car would finally be sold to its current owner. The current owner of 00051 was certainly familiar with the car having owned three other examples, including a Sprint Zagato 'Coda Tronca' and a 'Low Nose' Giulietta SS. The restoration would be completed by an Italian specialist while under its new ownership. And while the process would take a long while, the restoration would bring back to life 00051 in all its former glory including its Rosso livery and black interior.

Boasting its original UK plates, this sprightly red machine would remind all of the pride many share for Alfa Romeo. And in many ways, the car is the perfect mate. It truly is Romeo's Juliet.

The clean and un-abused nature of the car would lend to 00051 earning a sale price of 257,600 EUR at the auction in May of 2012.

Sources:

'Lot No. 347: 1960 Alfa Romeo Giulietta Sprint Zagato 'Coda Tonda'', (http://www.rmauctions.com/CarDetails.cfm?SaleCode=MC12&CarID=r352&Currency=EUR). RM Auctions. http://www.rmauctions.com/CarDetails.cfm?SaleCode=MC12&CarID=r352&Currency=EUR. Retrieved 16 May 2012.

Acuna, Evan. '1959 Alfa-Romeo Giulietta Sprint Veloce News, Pictures and Information', (http://www.conceptcarz.com/vehicle/z8946/Alfa-Romeo-Giulietta-Sprint-Veloce.aspx). Conceptcarz.com: From Concept to Production. http://www.conceptcarz.com/vehicle/z8946/Alfa-Romeo-Giulietta-Sprint-Veloce.aspx. Retrieved 16 May 2012.

by Jeremy McMullen

Coupe by Zagato

This Alfa Romeo SZ and two Alfa SSs were race prepared by Conrero and imported into the U.S. specifically for Sebring in March of 1960. It was driven there by Lou Comito and Harry Theodorocopulos and was race at Bridgehampton as well as Nassau before being sold to Rasey Feezell.

Feezell raced the car in many SCCA races throughout the Southeast from 196 to 1968 in classes C-Production to F-Production. After being sold in St. Louis, the SZ passed through a succession of owners. It ended up in a chicken coop in Baltimore, MD, where it remained for almost thirty years. The present owner found and purchased the car in 2000 and had it restored by KTR of Ayer, MA. The current owner races it today with VSCCA.

Coupe by Zagato

Premiered at the 1960 Geneva Motor Show, the SZ or 'Sprint Zagato' was intended to be a special version of Alfa Romeo's Giulietta more suited for competition. Designed by Franco Scaglione of the Bertone Studio, about 200 of these potent little cars were hand built at Zagato's workshop. To keep the SZ as lightweight as possible, the interior is devoid of non-essential items and Perspex was used for the side windows. This car has only recently come to the United States and has not been seen at any major American concours - prior to making an appearance at The Radnor Hunt Concours.

Coupe by Zagato
Chassis number: AR10126*00043

In 1956, a wrecked Alfa Romeo Sprint Veloce was brought to Elio Zagato for new coachwork. The car was given a lighter, more aerodynamic coachwork, creating a Giulietta that had the potential to rival GT cars of far greater displacement. Owners of other Sprint Veloce models took notice of the re-bodied Giulietta, as did Alfa Romeo, who contracted Carrozzeria Zagato to build a limited run of factory-sanctioned racing cars.

The Giulietta Sprint Zagato, or SZ, had a short-wheelbase platform of the spider and fitted with finned aluminum drum brakes, a full-synchromesh five-speed gearbox, and the Tipo AR120 engine. The Zagato coachwork was lightweight, aerodynamic, and minimal. They had Plexiglass windows and virtually no ornamentation. Inside, there were two tube-frame seats, vinyl upholstery, and a three-gauge instrument binnacle.

This Alfa Romeo Giulietta SZ were sold through Alfa Romeo and were distinguished by their special type number (AR10126). They began arriving into customer care in late 1960. They quickly became a dominant contender in the 1300 GT class in endurance events, circuit races, and hill climbs.

Around 200 examples of the original SZ were built, along with 30 examples of the updated SZ 'Coda Tronca' which had a long-nose, Kamm-tail coachwork.

This particular Giulietta SZ example was completed on September 23rd of 1960 and finished in metallic grey with red upholstery. It was sold to its first owner, Gianni Bulgari of Rome, on January 7th of 1961. Mr. Bulgari immediately began racing the car under the Scuderia Campidoglio banner. Throughout the 1961 and 1962 season, Sig. Bulgari's SZ was a regular participant at many important events, including the Targa Florio, the Tour de France Automobile, the 4 Hours of Pescara, and GT races at Monza. Bulgari even captured a class win at the Coppa Gallenga.

After the 1962 season, Bulgari sold the SZ. Scuderia Settecolli entered the SZ in the 1963 edition of the Targa Florio, where it was entrusted to Mario Costantini and Corrado Ferlaino. In its last race, the Alfa Romeo wore race no. 26 and was distinguished by its new dark red livery and Plexiglas headlamp covers supplied by Zagato.

Ownership changed on August 11th of 1963 from Gilberto Castagnini of Rome to Antonio Bonanno, an Italian citizen living on West 43rd Street in Manhattan. The car was exported to the United States circa 1964, and was sold to Lorenzo Garcia, a resident of Laurelton, New York. It is believed the car was used as a daily driver until 1968 or 1969, when it was retired from the road. From there, it disappeared from the public eye until being discovered in the fall of 2014. It is currently in unrestored condition and its appearance has changed little since racing at the Targa Florio in May 1963.

by Dan Vaughan

Coupe by Zagato
Chassis number: AR10126*00043

In 1956, Elio Zagato acquired a damaged Alfa Romeo Sprint Veloce and rebuilt it with a larger, more aerodynamic body, creating a racing Giulietta to rival larger-engiend GT cars. Alfa Romeo later contracted Zagato to build a small run of 200 factory-sanctioned racing cars, and the lightweight Giulietta Sprint Zagato (or SZ) dominated the 1300 GT class in endurance vents, circuit races and hill climbs.

This Giulietta SZ was sold to Gianni Bulgari of Rome, who raced it with Fabrizio Violati's Scuderia Campidoglio Motori team in the 1961 Targa Florio and the four-hour Pescara Grand Prix and won his class at the Coppa Gallenga. Bulgari sold the SZ to Scuderia Settecolli for the 1963 Targa Florio, where it was driven by Mario Costantini and Corrado Ferlaino. In 1964, the car was sold to Lorenzo Garcia of New York who is believed to have used it as a daily driver before retiring it.

Coupe by Zagato
Chassis number: AR10126.00033
Engine number: AR00548.35328

This 1960 Alfa Romeo Giulietta SZ original wore a grey paint scheme and was delivered to Rinaldo Parmigiani of La Spezia, Italy, on August 25, 1960. The first known outing of Mr. Parmigiani with his new Alfa was on August 15, 1961, at the 4 Hours of Pescara. It was one of six cars under the Scuderia Saint'Amboueus banner, and Mr. Parmigiani and co-driver Sergio Pedretti (using the sobriquet 'Kim') piloted the SZ to 7th in Class and 19th Overall. At the Coppa Inter-Europa that same year, Parmigiani finished 6th overall and 4th in class.

The SZ is believed to have remained in Italy throughout the 1960s and 1970s. At some point, it was given a new paint scheme and fitted with a larger tipo AR00548 1750 GT Veloce engine in place of the original 1300.

Bergamo-based collector Corrado Cupellini purchased the Alfa Romeo in 1978, and later purchased by Marvin Collins of El Cerrito, California, who in turn, sold it to Jerry Gamez of Castro Valley, California. While in Mr. Gamez's care, the SZ was prepared for track duties and entered in the 1980 Monterey Historic Automobile Races at Laguna Seca.

In 1984, Mr. Gamez sold the SZ to a private collector in San Antonio, Texas, where it remained largely unseen for many years, resurfacing in 2020.

Since arriving in the United States around 45 years ago, his Alfa Romeo has changed very little. It has been given a recent servicing and recommissioning following its many years of static display.

by Dan Vaughan

Legendary coachbuilder Zagato created a special version of the Giulietta for use in competition. The result was dubbed the Sprint Zagato, commonly called the 'SZ'. This creation was built atop the shorter Giulietta chassis and given the mechanical prowess of the Sprint Veloce. The aluminum body panels were hand formed at Zagato's workshop using designs by Franco Scaglione of the Bertone Studio. The aluminum bodies were placed on the space-frame chassis and given weight-saving perspex side windows. The interior was void of non-essential items resulting in a very lightweight vehicle.

The public was given an opportunity to view the SZ in all its glory at the 1960 Geneva Motorshow. There were 200 examples created, with the final 30 receiving a longer tail called the 'Coda Tronca.' This, along with its shortened body, was done in hopes of slicing through the air in a more efficient fashion. Other improvements included disc brakes in the front, a lower roof, a cut-off Kamm tail, and a front air intake that had been narrowed.

by Dan Vaughan