Fantasy Junction

Description

1965 Alfa Romeo Giulia TZ1
S/n AR750094, Engine no. AR00511*00023*
White with Red Stripe and Black Leather

The TZ1 is a very special competition car built in extremely limited numbers. Introduced at the Turin Auto Salon in 1962, it is built on a tubular chassis and has a very sophisticated specification. The chassis is a dedicated tubular unit that weighs just 125 pounds, ensuring that the TZ1 is a Giulia only in the loosest sense of the term. The specification is impressive, with independent suspension and disc brakes all around (inboard at the rear), aerodynamic Zagato Kamm tail bodywork, and Alfa Romeo’s venerable twin cam engine. With a weight of just 1459 pounds, the car was capable of 140mph. In the hands of privateers, the cars were incredibly successful, sweeping their class at Le Mans, Sebring, the Nurburgring, the Targa Florio, and the Coupe des Alpes. Just 120 examples were built making them tremendously rare.

This particular car has known history from new, which is extremely well-substantiated. In 1999, the then current owner assembled a comprehensive history of the car back to 1965, each data point of which is substantiated by a document (for example, bill of sale) or phone call to the then current owner. This research shows that the car was completed on the 11th of May 1965, and then available for sale on the 14th of May by SOFAR (Alfa Romeo France), painted white with a black interior. The car was first registered on the 15th of July 1965 with registration 111MK74. By May of 1971, the car was owned by a Guy Arquier of Lasbordes, France and registered as 3307 RZ 31. He owned the car until September of 1989, when he sold it to Pieter Boel in Hilversum, Holland, at which point the car was red with a brown corduroy interior. The car was in need of restoration. Pieter Boel sold the car to Rinus Belt also of Holland who reports restoring s/n 750 094 to its current white with red livery and prepared the car for rally events. Mr. Belt also reported that the car was an “absolutely untouched original car” prior to his restoration endeavors. This TZ was subsequently used for historic racing and rallies in Europe. Mr. Belt sold the car to an Italian Alfa Specialists and the car was comprehensively serviced by BMS Scuderia Italia in Brescia in March of 1998, to include a complete engine rebuild, rear wheel bearings, ball joints, brake pads, brake lines, and a general check-over of the car. The car was sold to American owners in 1999, who owned the car until 2008. In 2004, additional restoration and mechanical rebuild work was done by Don Breslauer and Alfas Unlimited, both in Connecticut. There was a particular emphasis on correctness, and the car retains its sliding Perspex windows and roll bar. The car has been recently tuned and runs very well. A compression test was performed in March of 2009, to yield numbers between 140psi and 150psi on all four cylinders. The car was also recently inspected by Marnix Dillenius, a well respected TZ1 owner and historian and found to be extremely correct and authentic.

Cosmetically, the car is in extremely nice condition. The paintwork is done to high quality and shows minimal blemishes. This example was originally white. The body is straight and solid and in keeping with typical Zagato craftsmanship. The inner fender wells are hammer-formed and have somewhat of a rough appearance, as would be expected of a Zagato-built racecar of the era. The trim is complete and in good shape, and the car sits on cast factory wheels which are beautifully restored. The glass and lights are very good, though the rear lenses have some minor cracking, as would be expected of a 44 year old car. An exterior battery cutoff has been fitted to the passenger’s side window as required for historic competition events.

The interior has recently been reupholstered and is like new, with the exception of the dashboard, which has some patina which in part confirms the car’s authentic nature. The instruments appear to be well-preserved and unrestored, and are in French to reflect the car’s original sale market. The seats are in excellent condition, having been redone in leather, while the console and other areas have also been reupholstered and are excellent. The steering wheel is a rare flat drilled Nardi unit and is in great shape. The headliner is virtually unmarked and the roll bar has been installed in such as way as to the limit the carrying capacity of the rear parcel shelf area.

Both the engine bay and underside are representative of a recently restored car and show signs of much mechanical attention. New period correct Koni shocks are fitted. TZ-1 s/n 750 094 absolutely sparkles under the hood, and is fit for concours showing. The underside is fully detailed with freshly powder coated suspension members and an extremely dry and tidy driveline.

The car drives well. The engine revs freely and demonstrates excellent power, particularly at the upper end of the power band. The transmission shifts smoothly with outstanding syncros both warm and cold. The brakes are effective and the steering is accurate. The lightweight nature of the TZs lend itself nicely to being driven aggressively and have an effortless balance.

Eligible for nearly every prestigious event around the globe for cars of this era- from the Monterey Historics to the Tour Auto to the Le Mans Classic- this Alfa Romeo TZ will be both a welcome entrant and a joy to drive! We welcome critical inspections from Alfa experts to confirm the history of this wonderful example as described here, and would be happy to provide supporting documentation to seriously interested parties.

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