Fantasy Junction

Description

1970 Alfa Romeo Junior Zagato

Chassis Number – AR*1800488*
Engine Number – AR00548*07734*(fitted) AR00530*65818*(included)
Exterior Color - Blue
Interior Color – Tobacco
Engine Type – 1750cc DOHC four-cylinder
Gearbox – 5-speed manual
Current Kilometers – 1,075 Kms TMU
Current Owner – Purchased 2016

General History

With a lengthy history of building some of the most capable sports cars, Alfa Romeo has also been a leader in establishing many firsts in vehicle design. Given their history and numerous years of partnership with coachbuilders, it was no surprise when Alfa Romeo and Zagato partnered to produce the Junior Zagato. Offered from 1969-1975, the car was produced by Zagato, under the direction of Ercole Spada, who had already penned numerous other significant designs including the Aston Martin DB4 GT Zagato and Alfa Romeo TZ1 and TZ2.

Working at Zagato, Spadas designs had long been recognized as some of the most advanced for their time, in part because of his obsession with high-speed aerodynamics. Using the Alfa Romeo Giulia as the working platform, the mechanical systems and drivetrain were essentially identical to the Giulia. However, it was the body design and Avant Garde interior features that truly set the Junior Zagato apart, not just from other Alfa Romeos of the day, but nearly every other car of that period. The Zagato body was sharp and aggressive, with angular details that were way ahead of cars from this era. Not only was the body design unique and cleverly detailed, the expansive glass, spacious interior, and stunning grille treatment were like no other car on the market. The expansive rear hatch could be raised and lowered via electronic switch on the dash, and the clear plexiglass cover for the front of the car was both futuristic and novel for a production car. Not only was the design ahead of the times it would later be emulated in modern car designs decades later, proving once again the vision behind Spada’s forward thinking.

Initially powered by the 1300cc engine, in 1972 the 1600cc engine replaced it, offering a bit more power to an already very capable car. Just 1,500 examples were constructed during the six-year production run (roughly 1,100 of which were the earlier 1300 cc variant).

Owner History

This very nicely restored example was originally delivered to a European customer, indicated by the European side marker lights and Kilometers for the speedometer. The car eventually made its way to North America, capturing the eye of well-respected European sports car collector Nick Soprano. The current consigning owner, a Northern California multiple Alfa Romeo collector, purchased the car from Soprano in 2016. At some point in prior ownership, the current engine in the car, a European market 1750cc unit, was installed. Under current ownership, a private collection mechanic installed a new clutch slave cylinder and a new master cylinder as well as rebuilt the carburetors. Parts purchased for the car during current ownership include:

February 2017 – Installation of a new windshield and windshield gasket.

December 2016 – Purchase of Weber carburetor rebuild kit and a correct European air cleaner assembly.

Cosmetic Overview

Today, this Junior Zagato presents in very attractive condition with vivid blue glossy paint applied over handsomely finished Zagato coachwork. The polished features, distinct exterior details. and various trim are all in excellent condition, particularly the exceptionally hard to find grille trim, and rare curved plastic fascia. The doors, hood, and rear hatch open and shut with confidence and panel fit is excellent, particularly for hand-built cars of this era. The emblems and script announce both the Italian heritage and design excellence, while Zagato coachwork badges confidently flank both the front fenders and the rear Kamm tail. The familiar silver painted Alfa Romeo slotted wheels are in excellent condition and sit perfectly under the gently arched wheel wells. Many of these cars often sit a bit high in the rear, however the stance in this example is spot on, adding to the wedge shape effect as it leans slightly forward accentuating the innovative angular design.

The stunning tobacco interior is in excellent condition throughout. Having been reupholstered with correct high-quality materials, appropriate headliner, and correct carpeting, the door panels, center console, and beautifully contoured seats present harmoniously. The low-profile bucket seats are in excellent condition with proper foam padding and bolster support. Even the unique fold down headrests are correctly covered with matching materials. The unique dashboard, echoing the front fascia shape, is in excellent condition. The trim is properly finished, correct instrumentation is present, and the 5-speed manual transmission is easily reached at the upper center console. The gauges and controls feature excellent color and contrast, and a correct Alfa Romeo badged steering wheel is in place, though positioned upside down when the wheels are centered. The correct ribbed and fitted rubber floor mats are similarly nice as is area behind the front seats, which has been carpeted with high quality black carpeting and finished with matching tobacco-color interior trim on the sides and rear package panel. Lifting the rear hatch, the storage area is correctly finished and properly trimmed with matching black carpet, offering space for soft weekend luggage. Additionally, the rear hatch can be electronically raised and lowered via a dash switch, allowing cabin ventilation – among one of the more notable innovations of this model. The spare tire is stored underneath the carpeted rear hatch and contains a matching spare tire and jack.

The engine compartment is accessed via forward hinging making access to the engine very convenient. Both the engine and engine compartment have been nicely prepared, with proper finishes, original components, and properly sorted hardware. The engine is a correct type later series European market 1750cc, AR00548*07734*, outfitted with desirable twin dual-throat Weber carburetors. The engine compartment is clean and reflects generally correct finishes and textures including the Alfa Romeo twin cam head, a correct European air cleaner housing, proper hoses, and benefits from a new brake master cylinder, new clutch slave cylinder, and Weber carburetor rebuild. The underside of the car is very well sorted, including what appears to be a recently replaced exhaust system and mufflers, a pair of correctly installed rear axle limit straps, and very good visual condition to the various alloy castings for the engine and differential. The chassis and various suspension mounts show no evidence of structural compromise and there is no visible evidence of corrosion on the major components or structural chassis members.

The car runs and drives very well, starting easily, revving freely, and shifting smoothly. The disc brakes are very effective for this period and the chassis has a very confident feel ideally suited for mountain roads and spirited driving. Known for its light and responsive steering, with the uprated 1750 cc engine, this Alfa Romeo delivers wonderfully engaging driving results that aptly suit the cosmetic presentation.

This is an excellent opportunity to acquire a rare, interesting, and highly desirable Alfa Romeo. Constructed in limited numbers with unique hand formed Zagato coachwork, these exciting cars can be easily serviced by mechanically minded enthusiasts or specialists in the growing vintage Alfa Romeo market, making them usable vintage sports cars with unique construction, satisfying performance, and extraordinary design traits.

Included with this car

The car is accompanied by an original 1300 cc engine AR00530*65818* long block, copies of previous parts purchase invoices, and a digital DVD copy of the Alfa Romeo 105 and 115 Series containing digital copies of the owner’s manuals, shop manuals, parts manuals, sales brochures, and technical specifications for the 1300 and 1600 variants of these cars.

A closer look at this Junior Z https://youtu.be/bnoymPyX2sU

Let's go for a drive https://youtu.be/W30eM0pA77E

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