Fantasy Junction

Description

1961 Alfa Romeo Giulietta Sprint Zagato
s/n 1012600113, Veloce engine no. AR00 120 *00633*
Red with Black Interior (as original)

The Sprint Zagato is the ultimate sporting development of Alfa Romeo’s legendary Giulietta. Featuring lightweight bodywork (the car weighs just 770kg/ 1700 lbs) by Zagato and specially tuned engines, the cars were very successful and surprisingly fast. Lighter than any other variant of the Giulietta, the SZ also had more power thanks to its high compression engine, tighter tolerances, more aggressive cams, and careful tuning. In the ultra-competitive racing in period, specialist like Conrero and Facetti ( as in this car) continued to develop the power and performance of these very special Alfa Romeos. The cars were quite expensive owing to the 300 hours necessary to build the bodies by Zagato, this after receiving the chassis from Alfa Romeo. A few more than 160 Cota Trunca (round tail) examples were built, and they became the choice ride in the small bore production class, dominating the Targa Florio with first, second, and third in class in 1964, and second, third, fourth, and sixth in class in 1965. The SZ was raced all over the world with great success, due to its handling and brilliant performance.

Today, Sprint Zagatos are welcome entries to virtually all of the premier historic rally and race events around the globe. These events included the Retro Targa Florio, Tour Auto, Le Mans Classic, and Monterey Historics, among others. Increasingly, the Alfa Romeo SZ is regarded as one of the all-time great vintage cars for Italian and competition car enthusiasts.

This particular car was completed 26 January 1961 and was supplied new in Terni, Italy on 27 April 1961 to Libero Liberati, then age 34. He was the 1957 Gran Prix World Champion for 500CC, besting other famous riders John Surtees and Geoff Duke. Also national champion in Italy in 1955 and 1956. This SZ was his race car until his death in 1962.. The car’s current owner found the car had a Facetti air pick up which had fed the Facetti airbox. He has also been told that Facetti was the tuner for Scuderia Ambrosiana, and that this SZ was the Scuderia Ambrosiana car of Libero Liberati. During the 1980s the car was purchased by Martin Swig in the Netherlands, and imported by him to the United States. Martin Swig, a famed collector and motoring enthusiast, who was particularly passionate about Alfa Romeos, especially the higher performing variety, later went on to start the California Mille, and became a global figurehead promoting the use and enjoyment by enthusiast of Mille Miglia eligible cars. Today, the car belongs to a long term Alfa enthusiast with several historically significant vintage Alfa Romeos who purchased it in 1997 and substantially restored the car in-house in 2005. The SZ was first shown at Pebble Beach Concours d' Elegance in 2005 and several other concours before heading to the track. The owner has been a long time exhibitor and participant at Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance. He then actively campaigned the car in vintage racing events on the east and west coast, including the Monterey Historics in 2009, 2012, 2014, and 2015, the Rolex Vintage Festival, Lime Rock Park in 2007, 2008, then Portland Historics in 2009, at CSRG Sonoma in 2011, along with select events at Lime Rock Park, HMSA Laguna Seca and Willow Springs Raceway.

The extensive restoration work was both cosmetic and mechanical, involving paint from a bare shell, an engine rebuilt using Megacycle cams, Ross, pistons, and head work by West Coast Cylinder Heads. The five speed close ratio transmission was rebuilt in house, while the paint and upholstery work was outsourced to capable Southern California specialists. Included with the sale are select in-process photos depicting the level work performed.

Additionally, the car has seen the consistent maintenance required to keep an actively campaigned car in top form. It has had a mechanical restoration, including full suspension rebuild front and rear, including new Koni shock absorbers, new front sway bar, re bushed Watts linkage, new oil cooler and lines, all new intake tubing, rebuilt cylinder head (ported and polished with new valves and springs, new camshafts), rebuilt bottom end (Carillo rods, new bearings), rebuilt ancillaries (starter, water pump, generator), rebuilt 40 DCOE Webers, rebuilt distributor, Pertronics electronic ignition, rebuilt close ratio gearbox, rebuilt 5.39:1 limited slip, custom Fuel Safe fuel cell installed in factory fuel tank, and new wiring harness. The car is equipped with the available larger Giulietta rear brake drums and alloy front disc brakes. Exhaust by correct period Veloce headers. It has both Sebring style side exit exhaust and a conventional rear exiting exhaust for street use. A bolt in roll bar with removable front brace is also fitted, and the car has two steering wheels: the original plus a smaller one that is better suited to track use. The battery was relocated to the right rear corner of the car to improve weight distribution, and a built-in fire system is also fitted. Currently fitted with Alfa Romeo TZ1 magnesium wheels. On the concours side there is a spare set of very rare alloy rimmed, steel centered original Boranni wheels and correct as new period tires.

The car makes a strong impression with high quality paint with few blemishes. The body is straight and the gaps are better than originally delivered. The panels operate well and the wheels and bright trim show the typical evidence of hand work that is present on Zagato bodied cars of this period. Both are in excellent cosmetic shape. The glass and lights are in excellent shape as well.

Although the car was used for vintage racing, the interior has been fully re-trimmed, with vinyl upholstery as is correct, including the seats, headliner, door panels, and upholstered floors, sills, and transmission tunnel. Even the windscreen washer bag is present. The dashboard is correctly simply painted and in nice shape, as are the instruments (all of which were serviced in the rebuild). Two of the buttons on the driver’s seat upholstery are missing. The car has a Momo Monte Carlo steering fitted wheel for track use.

The engine is tidy and functional, with jet coated factory Veloce exhaust headers, but a relatively correct and unmodified presentation overall. The Webers are impressive and the engine bay’s overall presentation is consistent with a vintage race car that was thoroughly overhauled, well-prepared, used as intended, and has been consistently maintained. The trunk appears essentially unrestored, with older plain black paint and modern fuel cell accessible from the interior of the trunk of the car. Fuel filler through period quick release recessed racing fuel filler.

The car is a riot to drive. Because the engine is in basically full-race specification mated to a close ratio 5-speed transmission and rare 5:39 rear-end ratio, it accelerates at unexpectedly rapid rate. The car is tremendous fun, very responsive and very rewarding for the driver. The power comes on with a roar from the carbs, and propels the car forward at an astounding speed, that the first time driver is simply unprepared for this experience. The clutch takes up easily, and the gearbox shifts like butter, even cold. The brakes pull down straight and without undue effort, a welcome change from many early Alfa drum brake cars. This SZ is fitted with in period alloy caliper front disc brakes as were many others in period. The suspension and steering are tight and supple, yet not harsh like a modern racing car. It is readily apparent why these cars had the racing success that they did, as there is no way, even a well-tuned Veloce spider or sprint, would have a chance against the light weight and agility of an SZ.

The car comes with an extra set of wheels (original Borrani wheels with steel centers and alloy rims), side exit exhaust, and removable brace for the roll bar.

This is an exceptional example of a very rare and desirable car. It is an example of a fully restored car, and as they say on the button, ready for you to use. A pride of ownership restoration ready for its new owner. Certainly one of the ultimate Giuliettas, any SZ is a special car, and this example has been thoroughly prepared and is track proven and is ready to enjoy. Obviously suited to vintage racing, this car is also currently set up for fast road use, making it an ideal car to use for tours, and it is eligible for a wide variety of prestigious events worldwide.

The above vehicle information is complete and accurate to the best of our knowledge at the time it is posted to this website. Corrections or additional information is always appreciated. All advertised prices exclude government fees and taxes, any finance charges, any dealer document preparation charge, and any emission testing charge. Vehicles are subject to prior sale. All advertised to be true but not guaranteed. We assume no liability for errors or omissions.

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Fantasy Junction  •  510-653-7555  •  1145 Park Ave, Emeryville, CA 94608