Lot 223: Alfa Romeo TZ1

The Tubolare Zagato (TZ) was conceived in 1959 to replace the SZ using most of the Giulia series assemblies, but with a radical tubular space frame chassis and lightweight Zagato body. These advanced traits made the TZ much more purpose-built for racing than the standard Giulia. Chief designer Giuseppe Busso said "The TZ1 is the result of the evolution of the concept of a 1500cc racing car that dates back to 1955 that is even before the SZ. He's Referring to the 750 Competizione which used a steel-boxed chassis which was eventually dropped. Instead the TZ1 used a more elaborate version of the SZ's tube frame. Work on the TZ began in 1960 and the first road trials were conducted in 1961. However, it took a long time to reach production because precedence was given to the new Giulia and 2600 models. Zagato, who had bodied previous competition Giulias, was entrusted to create the body. Zagatos lightweight aluminum bodies were ideally suited for the TZ's advanced chassis. Their recent advances in aerodynamics led the inclusion of a Kamm Tail which helped raise stability without introducing drag. Wanting a return to serious racing, company president Giuseppe Luraghi had Orzio Satta approach ex-Ferrari engineer Carlo Chiti to produce the Tubulare Zagato (TZ). Chiti then setup Autodelta in March of 1963 to foster this new agreement. As the TZ1 progressed and became successful, Autodelta increasingly became Alfa Romeo's racing wing until the company was eventually purchased by the firm. Three years after the project began, the TZ was first shown on Zagato's stand at the 1962 Turin Motorshow. It was later sold in 1963 with a 112 bhp engine identical to the one on the Sprint Special: this engine was then further developed for the TZ1 in participation in Grand Touring Category races. It was later offered with twin-spark ignition. After its sporting debut in minor races, the Giulia TZ1 was immediately able to make its mark in demanding races such as the FISA Cup in Monza in 1963, at the Sebring 12-hour race, the 48th Targa Florio, the 1000 km Nurburgring, the Le Mans 24-hour race, the Tour of France, the Coupe des Alpes, and the Tour of Corsica. These victories confirm the great class of a car suitable not only for track racing, but also for more demanding road circuits. Chassis number 750090 is a rare dual-ignition, road specification model, which was originally delivered on 9th April 1965. From 1979 to 2000, the car was owned by Mr da Prato of Florence, Italy, before being acquired for a prestigious private collection at a Swiss auction in 2000, where the auctioneers described it as "totally genuine. The car underwent a restoration by a renowned Zagato specialist during the 80s to an exacting standard of originality. More recently, the car has taken part in the Targa Florio Revival event. Finished in red with a black leather interior, the car comes complete with copies of a letter from Alfa Romeo confirming the car's authenticity, as well as Automobile Club d'Italia registration certificates and a copy of the original sales invoice dated 2nd April 1965. Since its acquisition by the collection in 2000, the car has been stored in a dry environment and maintained to a very high standard. Offered in excellent condition throughout, this is a superb opportunity to acquire one of these rare and highly desirable Zagato-bodied Alfa Romeos. Dieser rare originale TZ1 mit der Chassis-Nummer 750090 wurde am 9. April 1965 an den Erstbesitzer ausgeliefert und war in den Jahren 1979 bis 2000 Teil der Privatsammlung von Herrn da Prato in Florenz. Im Jahr 2000 dann wurde der Wagen auf einer Auktion in der Schweiz an eine hochwertige private Sammlung in England verkauft. Das Auto wurde in den damaligen Auktionskatalog als "totally genuine  also als komplett echt beschrieben. In den 80er Jahren wurde es seiner umfassenden Restaurierung eines Zagato-Spezialisten in Italien unterzogen und nahm erst vor kurzem an der historischen Targa Florio in Sizilien teil. Als Resultat der professionellen, klimakontrollierten Aufbewahrung mit fürsorglicher Pflege wird dieser Alfa vom Einlieferer als in exzellentem Zustand beschrieben.