Become a Member: Get Ad-Free Access to All Our Content
1961 Alfa Romeo Giulietta SZ

1961 Alfa Romeo Giulietta SZ

1961 Alfa Romeo Giulietta SZ

The Sprint Zagato (SZ) was a race version Giulietta that was specially prepared by Zagato in direct agreement with Alfa Romeo. It was based on the shorter chassis of the Giulietta Spider combined with the mechanicals of the racier Sprint Veloce. Franco Scaglione designed the body in Bertone’s studio, while the aluminum panels were beat out by hand at Zagato’s workshop.

Because of its small size, and aluminum bodywork, the SZ was much faster than its steel-bodied production counterparts. Furthermore, the car used a space frame chassis, which was totally unlike the production Giulietta. Zagato also used perspex side windows and a relatively sparse interior to help reduce weight.

SZ was first shown at the Geneva Motorshow in March 1960. The overall shape of the car reflected the unofficial Sprint Veloce (SVZ) cars which were rebodied by Zagato as early as 1956.

The last 30 of in the 200 car production run featured a long tail called the ‘Coda tronca’. The entire body was much longer, and was designed to penetrate the air better. Detail changes included a cut-off Kamm tail, narrower front air intake, a lower roof and the use of disc brakes up front.

By 1959 the SZ’s replacement the Tubulore Zagato (TZ) was well underway. After extensive development the car was finally launched in 1963.

Chassis & Sales

1961 Alfa Romeo Giulietta SZ

00197-1967 Alfa Romeo Giulietta SZ Coda Tronca. Entered in the 1963 24 Hours of Le Mans by Scuderia Ambroeus. Also driven by Nanni Galli at the 1964 Targa Florio. Displayed at the 2008 Pebble Beach Concours and 2010 Retromobile by Hall & Hall.

In Detail

submitted by Richard Owen
type Racing Car
built at Italy
engine Inline-4
position Front Longitduinal
aspiration Natural
valvetrain DOHC, 2 Valves per Cyl
displacement 1290 cc / 78.7 in³
bore 73.91 mm / 2.91 in
stroke 74.9 mm / 2.95 in
compression 9.70:1
power 74.6 kw / 100 bhp @ 6000 rpm
specific output 77.52 bhp per litre
bhp/weight 116.69 bhp per tonne
torque 112.53 nm / 83.0 ft lbs @ 4500 rpm
driven wheels RWD
front brakes Drums
rear brakes Drums
steering Wrom & Sector
curb weight 857 kg / 1889 lbs
wheelbase 2248 mm / 88.5 in
front track 1290 mm / 50.8 in
rear track 1270 mm / 50.0 in
length 3848 mm / 151.5 in
width 1529 mm / 60.2 in
height 1232 mm / 48.5 in
transmission 5-Speed Manual
gear ratios 3.26:1, 1.98:1, 1.36:1, 1.00:1, 0.854:1
final drive 4.56:1
top speed ~193.1 kph / 120.0 mph
0 – 60 mph ~11.0 seconds
0 – 1/4 mile ~17.0 seconds

Auction Sales History

1961 Alfa Romeo Giulietta SZ

1960 Alfa Romeo Giulietta SZ AR10126*00043 – sold for $577,500 A Magnifcent, Unrestored Sprint Zagato. One of Only 200 Examples Ever Built. Outstanding Provenance and Period Competition Record. True Time Capsule, Virtually Untouched Since the Mid-1960s. A Must for the Serious Alfa Romeo Collector.
Auction Source: The Scottsdale Auctions 2015 by Gooding & Company
1961 Alfa Romeo Giulietta SZ
1960 Alfa Romeo Giulietta Sprint Zagato ‘Coda Tonda’ 00126 00051 – sold for €257,600 Photo-documented restoration by an Italian Alfa Romeo specialist. Matching numbers example complete with original registration documents. Restored to original specification. One of 200 Coda Tondas produced.
Auction Source: Monaco 2012 by RM Auctions