The Giulietta SZ is a particularly interesting model, as it is the most successful derivative of the Giulietta. It was born from a combination of circumstances: after a crash at the 1956 Mille Miglia, Dore Leto di Priolo, a private driver, entrusted his Sprint Veloce to Zagato for repairs and, at the same time, to turn it into a better performing car. The coachbuilder gained 135 kg and gave the car a more streamlined body, which allowed Dore Leto di Priolo to dominate the Sprint Veloce in competition, leading to several orders from private drivers for this Giulietta SVZ, "Sprint Veloce Zagato". An agreement between the manufacturer and Zagato resulted in the Sprint Zagato, the SZ, in 1959, which was more refined and lighter than the SVZ. Truly designed for racing, it is also the rarest of the Giuliettas. So the opportunity to find a Giulietta SZ does not come along very often. Legend has it that it took 300 hours to build and finish each car.
Agile and very powerful, thanks to its more powerful engine and aluminum body, the Alfa Romeo SZ is, in addition to its rarity, a very competitive car in historic races. Unveiled at the Geneva Motor Show in March 1960, the SZ replaced the SVZ. It is presented as a resolutely sporty version of the Giulietta coupe. With 100 hp at 6,500 rpm, it was the top of the range, ahead of the Sprint Veloce (90 hp) and the Sprint (80 hp). Built on a wheelbase shortened to 2.25 meters, the car weighs only 750 kilos thanks to its aluminum body (like all Zagato cars) and Perspex windows. This quality, combined with careful aerodynamics, allows it to flirt with 215 km/h. However, the career of the SZ was short (1960-1962) and only about 200 examples were built, the last of which were the SZ2 called "Coda Tronca".
Fueled by its two double-barrel carburetors, the formidable Alfa 1300 twin-shaft engine revs up enthusiastically - it easily reaches 7,500 rpm, and the five-speed gearbox is a delight. As for the braking system, it uses the famous Alfa Romeo three-shoe drums, the ultimate and sophisticated evolution of this traditional technique, which will be replaced by discs.
The Alfa Romeo SZ chassis #086 that we offer was delivered new to Casablanca in Morocco in 1961. We later find the car in the hands of Mr. André Balbure from Casablanca in 1998, before it becomes the property of a collector from the south of France in 2002, who then participates in the Tour Auto several times. In 2010 it remains in France but changes hands. The car is optimized to receive a racing engine and a gearbox completely revised. Our SZ will then make the happiness of its driver at the Tour Auto or during the races of the Greatest Trophy of Peter Auto. Purchased by its current owner through Historic Cars, he undertook a series of changes to make the car more homogeneous and civilized on the road without really losing its sporting capabilities. A new, lighter and more progressive clutch was installed, work on carburetors also improved operation and comfort on the open road. Once a pure racing beast for the track, it now offers a wider range of use from city to race. The flexibility and torque of the engine are amazingly easy. The brakes have all been revised. The Pirelli tires are new. The exhaust from Alfaholics is also much quieter than the straight pipe it used to have. The modifications undertaken on the car are not only mechanical. Special care has been taken with the overall aesthetics. The whole interior has been soundproofed and trimmed for example. It is now a perfect car for the Tour Auto in regularity as well as in competition. Our SZ is sold with its FIVA and Alfa Romeo certificates and its FIA PTH. Some wheels and spare parts will be delivered with the car. Our SZ is offered at an attractive price!
