1965 Alfa Romeo Giulia TZ2

Shortly after the arrival of the Alfa Romeo Giulietta in 1955, more highly developed versions followed. The first of these was the Sprint Speciale (SS) presented in 1957, with its Franco Scaglione (of Bertone) design inspired by the 'BAT' cars. Its slippery design and favorable aerodynamics enhanced the vehicle's sporty characteristics, but much more was needed for any serious racing endeavors. The next evolution was the lightened Giulietta Sprint Zagato (SZ) with a tighter form that was presented at the Geneva Motor Show in 1960.

Zagato gave the two-seater Berlinetta a lightweight aluminum body atop the Sprint Speciale platform. Power was via a 1.3-liter engine that used double twin-choke carburetors and a high compression ratio to develop 100 horsepower. Approximately 18 Veloces were rebodied, dubbed the SVZ, and were about 260 lbs lighter and their engine produced 116 horsepower.

Alfa Romeo's first successful post-war model was the 1900, but it was the 1.3-liter Giulietta model that followed which established the 'small car, big performance' formula that would characterize the Milanese marque's finest offerings going forwards. With demand outstripping supply, Alfa Romeo was forced to rethink its production strategy and embrace, for the first time, its fate as a high-volume manufacturer. Initially offered as a Sprint Coupe, it was soon joined by Berlina and Spider versions.

The highly successful Giulietta was replaced by the Giulia range, launched at the Monza Autodrome on 27th June 1962. It was the creation of a design team headed by one of the greatest Italian automobile engineers, Dr. Orazio Satta Puliga, who had been responsible for all the post-war Alfa Romeos. An increase in displacement was rewarded with a boost in power from Alfa's classic twin-cam four, from 80 to 92 bhp. The larger engine was noticeably smoother, less fussy, and more reliable. A five-speed gearbox was standard on the Giulia 1600 Spider, which remained in production until replaced by the Duetto in 1966.

Enhancing the performance of the Giulia continued through various experimentation, again focusing on lightweight construction and wind-cheating designs. The SS (Sprint Speciale) adopted the 1600 engine in 1963 which boosted performance but the potential for development was too limited for it to lead the way in competition.

The replacement for the Giulietta Sprint Zagato racing Berlinetta, to be built on the new 105 Series platform, was curated by the engineers at Delta, Carlo Chiti's competition concern (soon to be renamed as Autodelta). The resulting Tubolare Zagato, or TZ, first debuted to the public in late 1962 at the Turin Salon. The vehicle's name was inspired by its rigid but lightweight tube frame. Its new coachwork, created by Zagato, was formed from aluminum and molded into an aerodynamic shape that would exploit the platform's raw potential.

Extensive modifications were made to the standard 105 Series running gear, including a taller fifth gear, limited-slip differential, stiffer springing and a fully independent rear suspension, and inboard rear disc brakes. The 1,570-cubic centimeter Giulia engine was mounted at a 20-degree angle that required specially cast components, including the intake manifold and the sump. Breathing through Weber carburetors, the motor developed 112 horsepower in street specification and upwards of 170 horsepower in racing guise. A top speed of 215 km/h was achievable thanks to its low weight of just 660 kilograms.

One of the earliest examples was piloted by Lorenzo Bandini to a class win and 2nd overall finish during the model's racing debut at the Coppa FISA at Monza in November 1963. This was the first of many class victories for the TZ. During 1964, it placed first in class at 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.

A total of 112 examples of the TZ (sometimes referenced as TZ1 to differ from later TZ2) were produced through 1965. The Giulia TZ2 was introduced in 1964 at the Turin Auto Show standing atop the Zagato stand. It was an even lighter and more powerful version of the TZ, with the light alloy body of the TZ replaced by an even more streamlined fiberglass body moulded to the chassis. The styling was faithful to its predecessor's design with one of the noticeable differences being the rear window, which was now a single unit rather than the three-part window in the TZ. Weight was reduced to 620 kg and the Autodelta-prepared twin plug, dry sump lubrication engine was tuned to 170 bhp at 7,000 RPM. The top speed increased by approximately 30 km/h, to 245 km/h. Production of these purpose-built race cars was exclusive, with just 12 units being built through the end of 1965 before Alfa Romeo shifted its attention to the new GTA racing program.

The Alfa Romeo TZ2 continued to expand upon the racing resume of the TZ, with a class victory on April 25th of 1965 at the 1000 km of Monza (seventh overall and first in the GT 1600 category). Additional class victories were achieved at the 12 Hours of Sebring; Bianchi-Rolland in the Targa Florio; and Adamich-'Geki' in the 1000 km of Nürburgring, the 6 Hours of Melbourne, the Giro d'Italia and the Criterium des Cevennes. The following year, class victories were achieved at Monza, Sebring, the Targa Florio, and the Nürburgring.

The three 'BAT' cars explored the purest shapes to achieve aerodynamic efficiency and the result of those studies influenced the designs of Alfa Romeo vehicles for decades to come. The perfectly executed Berlinetta designs, with their purpose dictating the form, culminated with the TZ and TZ2 competition cars that wore restrained styling communicating efficiency, from the small grille at the front to the cut-off tail at the rear. The tubular chassis (manufactured by Ambrosini), lightweight and aerodynamic bodies (Zagato), finely tuned engine, and sophisticated mechanical components (assembled by Autodelta) were rewarded with numerous class victories throughout their racing career.

by Dan Vaughan

Competition Berlinetta by Zagato
Chassis number: AR750106

Autodelta was responsible for all of Alfa Romeo's race development, and in 1964 it redesigned the successful Alfa Romeo TZ1 into a more powerful machine, creating what many have called a 'mini Ferrari GTO' - the TZ2. The main difference between the cars was the use of fiberglass, and despite the fact that most cars were built from the same molds, many differed in detail. The TZ2 has Alfa's 4-cylinder, 1600cc engine with hotter camshafts, larger valves and twin-plug ignition, producing 170bhp at 7500 RPM, which was good for 160 MPH!

This early TZ2 (chassis number AR750106), which retains its original engine, won its class at Monza (1st in class and 7th overall), Sebring, and the Nurburgring during 1965 and 1966. It raced at Le Mans, racing for Autodelta, but did not finish due to engine failure, having completed 217 laps with Roberto Bussinello and Jean Rolland at the wheel. It also raced at the Targa Florio in 1966. In 1967, it raced at Sebring, Monza, and the Targa Florio, where it achieved 2nd in Class and 10th overall. It is completely original, never having been crashed, and it has never been restored. It is one of just twelve built and eleven in this GT competition configuration.

The TZ was designed by Alfa Romeo with the intention that it be raced for the factory by Carlo Chiti's Autodelta team but was also available to other teams and private owners. The multi-tube frame, manufactured by Ambrosini, was extensively braced for rigidity and safety. In a departure from Alfa's production cars, the TZs used coil spring independent suspension all around with inboard mounted rear disc brakes. Chassis and suspension assembly was done by Autodelta and the lightweight aluminum bodies were built and trimmed by Zagato.

The TZ2 weighed in at only 1,366 pounds dry. Its dual ignition Giulia competition engine was modified with dry sump lubrication to lower the engine and reduce frontal area. Its top speed was 136 mph.

This Alfa Romeo was the poster child for the Pebble Beach Tour d'Elegance in 2009, wearing its original Targa Florio colors. The car also was honored with the Gran Turismo Award and was featured in the racing simulation game series of the same name.

Coupe by Zagato
Chassis number: 750.111

The Alfa Romeo TZ2, often referred to as the 'Baby GTO,' is one of the most charismatic competition cars of all time.

This car is one of twelve TZ2s built by Zagato for Autodelta, the racing department of Alfa Romeo. The TZ2 was powered by the same basic 4-cylinder, twin cam engine as the GTA and the TZ1, but had a modified body, lower suspension mounts, a dry sump lubrication system and - after modifications to its engine by Alfa's director of engineering, Giuseppe Busso - an increase in horsepower.

This car raced at the 12 Hours of Sebring in 1966, driven by Giacomo 'Geki' Russo and Gus Andrey and finishing first in class and 14th overall. It later finished third in class at that year's Targa Florio, driven again by Russo with co-driver Teodoro Zeccoli. At the end of 1966, the car was sold to Giorgio Bianchi, but it continued racing until 1969, when it was acquired by Silvano Cecchi. Its current owner acquired the car in 1998.

Coupe by Zagato

Alfa Romeo presented the TZ model at the 1962 Turin Motor Show as a roadgoing racing car. It derives the T in its nomenclature from tubolare, a reference to its tubular spaceframe, and the Z from Zagato, the coachbuilders. A limited production run of no more than 102 was built until 1965, before the Alfa Romeo TZ2 would prove far more successful on the race track. Output had been raised to 165 hp, while its weight was once again whittled down, this time to 620 kg, and the chassis was also improved. Alfa Romeo clocked a breathtaking top speed of 265 km/h for its sports car. With the TZ2, coachbuilders Zagato turned out a significant example of Italian car design of the 1960s. By the time production ended in 1967, just 12 examples had left the construction hall. This is yet another example of a car that is not only an exceptional beauty, but also a hand-picked rarity, being showcased at the Concorso d'Eleganza Villa d'Este 2011.

Ing. Carlo Chiti was in charge of Autodelta during the creation of the Alfa Romeo TZ2 project. His resume included being a former Chief Engineer at Ferrari. It is understandable that the inspiration and passion of the Ferrari 250 GTO bled into this project. The TZ2 (Tubolare Zagato) was constructed as a works car and there were no intentions of providing any examples to privateers. They were intended to challenge the GT category. In total, there were, at most, fourteen constructed.

The chassis was from the original TZ, consisting of steel-tubed space-frame construction. Improvements were made to the original unit, with the TZ2 having lower suspension mounts and being more adjustable. The prototype car was given an all-alloy bodyshell designed by Ercole Spada for Zagato. The subsequent cars were molded from this and built with glassfibre. The total height of the vehicle was just a mere 41-inches. The aerodynamic design defied wind while maintaining an elegant stance.

Under the bonnet lay an Alfa Romeo dual overhead camshaft four-cylinder engine displacing 1570cc. The engines were tuned by Virgilio Conrero's Torino shop, Autotecnica Conrero. They were given larger valves, magnesium casings, upgraded camshafts, two side-draught Weber carburetors, dry-sump lubrication, and a twin-plug head. These improvements brought the horsepower to 170 and a top speed in the neighborhood of 160 mph.

The cars made their debut at the 1965 Geneva Salon and production lasted until mid-1967. Some of the TZ2's were upgraded TZ's. Coachwork was handled mostly by Zagato. Chassis number 114, created in 1966, was done by Pininfarina. Another example, chassis 101, was done by Bertone. Bertone's example was done to test the feasibility of creating a road-going version. It was built atop a tubular steel space-frame and given Campagnolo, 13-inch forged magnesium wheels. The body was very curvy. At the front were covered headlights and a wrap-around windshield. The body was constructed mostly from aluminum. The engine was from an Alfa Romeo TZ, producing 130 horsepower in standard guise.

The Bertone example made its debut at the 1964 Paris Salon. There was much interest in the car, but Alfa Romeo decided to abandon the idea. A journalist later damaged the car while doing a test drive. Most everything was able to be salvaged.

The racing debut of the Alfa Romeo TZ2 was at the 1965 24 Hours of LeMans. There were three TZ2 models entered, and all three failed to finish the race. This would be their only outing for the season. In 1966, they re-appeared, and in very strong fashion. In each of the 1.6-liter GT races they entered, they emerged victorious.

Even with this new-found racing success of the TZ2, the program was dropped and efforts were reverted to the GTA and Tipo 33 program. Most of the TZ2 cars were later sold to privateers.

by Dan Vaughan