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1965 Alfa Romeo Giulia TZ

Alfa Romeo was very successful in the 1920s and early 1930s in circuit, distance, and hill climb events in Europe. German teams from Mercedes-Benz and Auto Union overshadowed many teams racing endeavors, including Alfa Romeo, during the late 1930s. After World War II, Alfa Romeo returned to its winning ways, with several privateers using pre-war 8C 2900s. After summarily dominating the first two postwar Formula 1 championships, the factory Alfetta 158/159 Grand Prix cars withdrew from frontline competition in 1951. The marque's competition legacy was kept alive during the 1950s by privateers, most notably those who ran Zagato-bodied variants of the Giulietta and 1900 models. The list of successful race cars included the Sprint Veloce Zagato (SVZ) cars, which first appeared in 1956. Their success inspired Alfa Romeo to commission Zagato to create the Sprint Zagato (SZ), as a cataloged model in 1960.

In 1963, the SZ was succeeded by the Tubolare Zagato (TZ), named for the new tube-framed chassis it was built around. The Alfa Romeo factory's official race team, Autodelta, built them in their shops and was given an aerodynamic bodywork with power being sourced from a modified DOHC 1,570cc engine. The 1,455 lb vehicle was lightweight and rigid, with powerful disc brakes (inboard at the rear), and modified 105 Series running gear with stiffer springing, limited slip differential, taller fifth gear, and a fully independent rear suspension. The engine was mounted at a 20-degree angle that required specially cast components, including the intake manifold and the sump. With Weber carburetors, the engine offered 112 horsepower in street specification. Examples tuned for racing produced approximately 170 horsepower, giving it a top speed of 215 km/h.

One of the earliest Tubolare Zagatos was piloted by Lorenzo Bandini to a class victory and 2nd overall finish during the model's racing debut at the Coppa FISA at Monza in November of 1963. This was followed by a string of class victories at 1964 events, including the 12 Hours of Sebring, the Targa Florio, the Nürburgring 1000 KM, the 24 Hours of Le Mans, the Tour de France, the Coupe des Alpes, the Tour de Corse, and the Critérium des Cévennes.

Production of the TZ (commonly referred to as the TZ1) continued through 1965, with 112 examples built. They were among the most dominant and resilient competition cars of their era.

A new version of TZ was introduced at the Turin Auto Show in 1964 in the Zagato stand. The light alloy body of the TZ1 was replaced by an even more streamlined fiberglass body that offered lower drag, enhanced rigidity, and a reduced weight of 620 kg. Called the TZ2, these were strictly built as racing cars and powered by an Autodelta-prepared twin plug, dry sump lubrication, dual overhead cam, straight-4 engine displacing 1,570cc and offering around 170 horsepower. Additional changes were made to the rear window, which was now a single unit rather than the three-part window of the TZ. Just 12 examples of the TZ2 were built.

The TZ name was revived in the early 2010s with the introduction of the Zagato TZ3, with 1 Corsa and 9 Stradales ultimately built. The TZ3 Corsa was a track version of the TZ3, built to celebrate 100 years of Alfa Romeo in racing. Based on the Alfa Romeo 8C Competizione, it was first shown in 2010 at the Concorso d'Eleganza Villa d'Este in Italy. It had a carbon fiber frame, hand-beaten aluminum body, and was powered by a 4.2-liter V8 engine offering 420 horsepower. The TZ3 Stradale was based on the Dodge Viper ACR-X chassis and powered by the ACR-X's 8.4-liter Viper all-aluminum 90-degree overhead valve 2-valve V10 engine offering 600 horsepower.

by Dan Vaughan

Coupe by Zagato
Chassis number: 10511AR750099

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

Coupe by Zagato
Chassis number: 750 105
Engine number: AR00511 00103

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 Dan Vaughan

Coupe by Zagato
Chassis number: 750094
Engine number: 00096

The 1965 Alfa Romeo Giulia TZ1 with white, red, and green paint was offered for sale at the 2006 World Wide Group Auction on Hilton Head Island, where it was expected to sell between $400,000-$450,000. It carries chassis number 750094 and engine number 00096. It was delivered on May 14th of 1965 to SOFAR, the Alfa Romeo French central distributorship. It had a white exterior and black interior. It remained in France until September 1989 when it was sold and send to Holland. At that time, it was not in running condition. It had a roll-bar and sliding windows and the paint scheme was red with a brown corduroy interior.

Chassis 094 underwent a restoration in 1994; upon completion, it was offered for sale. In 1999 it was traded in a multi-car deal and sent to the United States. In 2004 another restoration occurred with much attention being paid to corrective detail. It was finished in its correct livery with the addition of a central red stripe. The side windows are sliding Perspex panels and a roll bar can be found in the interior. It is powered by a 1750cc alloy four-cylinder engine with twin-overhead camshafts, twin side draft Weber carburetors and is rated at 120 horsepower. It is mated to a five-speed close-ratio gearbox. Hydraulic disc brakes can be found in both the front and rear. There is a quick-fill gas cap and pressed steel perforated road wheels.

This was one of the highlights at the World Wide Group Auction at Hilton Head. At the conclusion of the auction, the vehicle had been sold for $379,500.

by Dan Vaughan

Coupe by Zagato
Chassis number: 750 102

This Alfa Romeo Giulia TZ coupe model is based on the 1.6 liter twin-overhead-camshaft Giulia engine and built for GT competition. The car has chassis #750 102 and has occasionally been vintage-raced.

It was constructed by Zagato and had an extremely rigid chassis with a multitubular spaceframe that weighed only 88 pounds.

The 1.6-liter engine produces 170 horsepower coupled with a 5-speed manual transmission. It has a fully independent coil-spring suspension and disc brakes. The 1,455-pound car has a top speed of 135 mph.

Coupe by Zagato

The Alfa Romeo Giulia Tubolare Zagato (TZ), which replaced the Giulietta Sprint Zagato (SZ), was manufactured by Alfa Romeo from 1963 to 1967. The TZ1 and later TZ2 were developed with Autodelta, a company led by Ex-Ferrari engineer Carlo Chiti. The TZs featured Alfa's 1,570cc twin-cam engine fitted in a tubular space-frame chassis with aluminum bodywork, disc brakes and independent suspension. Only 112 examples of this special Alfa Giulia were built.

This ultra-lightweight TZ was delivered to Switzerland for racer Walter Pauli, who competed with it primarily in hill climbs. Because the Swiss had outlawed road racing in 1955 (after the disaster at the 24 Hours of Le Mans), Pauli raced primarily in Hill Climb events, including Sainte Ursanne, Villars-Bourquin, Moleson, and Sainte Peterzel Hemberg. The fortunate result was that this car was never seriously damaged and the bodywork, glass, and mechanicals all remain original; something that cannot be said about the clear majority of TZs that remain in existence.

In 1987 the car was acquired by another Swiss collector, Albert Obrist, who had it restored in the workshop of Angelo Chiapparini located in Canegrate-Milano. A twin plug 1590 cc motor was prepared for the car but fortunately, the original single plug motor was retained and returned to the car. He sold the car in 1995 to F1's Bernie Ecclestone, who later passed it to racer John Coombs, a well-known Jaguar and Rover racer and collector. Since 2002 it has been used sparingly in European events.

The car wears an older restoration but has survived well due to limited use.

Coupe by Zagato
Chassis number: 750076
Engine number: 0087

The Alfa Romeo Giulia TZ1 debuted at the 1962 Turin Auto Show, with a 1,570cc twin-cam engine, an aluminum body by Zagato, and a tubular spaceframe chassis (TZ for Tubolare Zagato). Initially, this coupe was commandeered by the Le Mans Driving School, located next to the Le Mans track, and was then purchased by Jacques and Liliane Simonet in 1967. The couple loved their Giulia and drove it daily, raced it, rallied it, and even got married in it (or at least used it for their post-nuptial escape). After 57 years of continuous ownership, the TZ was sold to a California owner who had it 'sympathetically refreshed' by a noted Alfa specialist while seeking to retain every nuance of its originality. It now resides in a Texas collection focused on 1960s sports cars.

Coupe by Zagato
Chassis number: 10511AR 750097
Engine number: AR00511 00102

The Alfa Romeo Tubolare Zagato (TZ) was introduced in 1962 at the Turin Salon and was envisioned as a racing successor to the Giulietta Sprint Zagato. It was a lightweight, aerodynamic automobile that was built atop a lightweight, rigid tube frame and wrapped with an aluminum body by Zagato with a fastback Kamm tail and covered headlamps. Its 105 Series running gear was upgraded with stiffer springs and a fully independent rear suspension. It received a limited-slip differential, inboard rear disc brakes, and a taller fifth gear. Its top speed of 133 mph was courtesy of its naturally aspirated engine fed by Weber carburetors and developing 112 horsepower in street specification and 170 horsepower in racing tune. The engine was mounted at a 20-degree angle which necessitated a specially-cast intake manifold and sump.

Motorsport successes included a class win by Lorenzo Bandini at its racing debut at Monza in November 1963. It had a string of class victories during 1964 at events including the 12 Hours of Sebring, the Targa Florio, the Nürburgring 1000 KM, the 24 Hours of Le Mans, and the Tour de France.

The Alfa Romeo Giulia Tubolare Zagato was built in limited quantities, with 117 examples constructed.

This example was in the care of the same owner for 58 years. It completed assembly in late March 1965 and wore a Rosso paint scheme over a Nero interior. Two months later, the Alfa Romeo was officially delivered to Nassau, Bahamas, and then immediately sent to the Great White North by Canadian Motor Industries (CMI), an importer of Japanese marques (and for a short time Alfa Romeo) that later became Toyota Canada.

During the 1965 season, it is believed that CMI entered the car in no fewer than eight races, including the Labatt 50 in July, where the car was driven by Al Pease. Six days later, the TZ retired early at Harewood Acres. In September, at the Player's Mont-Tremblant, Pease managed to finish 18th. Nearly a week later, the Giulia was entered at the GP Mosport Production race but did not arrive. It is believed that this was the end of the car's CMI competition career.

In 1966, the Giulia was acquired by a couple from an intermediary party who had acquired it directly from CMI. The couple retained the car for 58 years. In February 1967, the Giulia was exhibited at the AROC meeting held at Knauz Continental Autosports in Lake Forest, Illinois. After returning home to Woodstock, Ontario, the Alfa Romeo received work to its chassis, and the coachwork was repainted in candy-apple green. In 1969 the owners moved to nearby London, Ontario, after which the car was effectively stored for the remainder of their ownership.

In the late 1980s, this Alfa was given a a full nut-and-bolt restoration by Sebert Motors, which included a complete rebuild of the engine, and a bare-metal refinish in the proper color of rosso. The restoration progressed slowly through early 2024, when the TZ was submitted to RM Auto Restoration for completion of the remaining work.

by Dan Vaughan

Coupe by Zagato

This 1965 Alfa Romeo Giulia was driven by hall-of-fame drivers Al Pease and Craig Fisher under the race numbers 69 and 691. The only car of this model to be imported, and to compete, inside Canada during its era.

Early in the 1950's Alfa Romeo had revised their production methods and had created a new line of models. These new vehicles were mid-sized with sporty, small-capacity engines. The Giulietta was introduced near the close of the 1950's and was first offered with the Type 101 engine, a 1290cc unit. By now Alfa Romeo had a wide range of body style configurations including the four-door saloons, Sprint Coupes, Spider, station wagons, and the Sprint Speciale. The Sprint Special came in two configurations, one by Bertone and the other by Zagato. Bertone's design was first offered mid-1959. Zagatos were first available in early 1960. Both Zagato and Bertone's design were based on the Giulietta chassis and running gear but were void of bumpers. Their intentions for these vehicles were competition. Zagato's creations were constructed of light alloy bodies and were more performance-oriented. Bertone's creations outsold Zagato's by 6-to-1, and soon began outfitting the vehicles with luxurious interiors.

Most of the Zagato's were constructed with rounded front and tail treatments though near the end of the 200 produced, they experimented with a 'coda tronca' Kamm tail treatment.

Racing has always been important for most automobiles manufacturers and Alfa Romeo was beginning to realize that their engines would do well in competition since they were compact, lightweight, powerful, and durable. Though the board would not sanction a factory race program they did understand the importance of racing and how it is used to promote products.

In 1962 the Giulia range of cars, also known as the 105 series, was introduced and served as a replacement for the Giulietta. These were powered by 1570 cc engines and shared the same bodies as the Giulietta. The five-speed manual gearbox was operated by a column-mounted shift. The suspension was modified in the rear to improve handling but remained the same in the front.

Just like the Giulietta series, the Giulia came in multiple body styles including the four-door Berlina, spider, TZ, sprint, and Sprint Speciale.

With racing in mind, Alfa Romeo designed and built the TZ series. The TZ, meaning Tubolare Zagato, was outfitted with a light alloy body, tubular frame, disc brakes, and independent suspension. The performance of the vehicle was amplified by its light body and responsive and effective handling. The large disc brakes provided excellent stopping power. Most of the parts were produced in the main factory in Portello. The building of the car, however, was entrusted to the head competitions engineer, Carlo Chiti of Autodelta based at Udine. The base 1570cc engine produced about 90 horsepower. The engine installed in the TZ competition cars produced around 170 horsepower. This boost in horsepower was made possible, in part, through twin-plug cylinder heads by Autodelta. To reduce weight and improve safety, the side glass windows were removed and replaced with Perspex.

Road cars were commonly given a single-plug cylinder head, leather interior, and retained their glass window.

In 1963 these lightweight and capable cars proved their potential by winning the FISA Cup. In nearly every competition event that these cars were entered, they provided podium finishes for their drivers. They were entered in events such as hill climbs, Sebring, the Targa Florio, Monza, Spa, Nurburgring, and LeMans.

by Dan Vaughan