34 auto italia
this SZ is a true rarity, being one of only 169 original-
shape (pre-Coda Tronca) SZs built between 1960 and
- Zagato’s construction method of aluminium
bodywork over a tubular steel frame made it an
extremely lightweight machine; unladen, it weighed a
mere 854kg, helped by light Plexiglas windows and
alloy wheels. The strict two-seater interior is minimally
trimmed, with a lightweight glassfibre dashboard,
skimpy seats and thin doors.
Thanks to the low weight and good aerodynamics,
it could reach 124mph despite only having a 1290cc,
97hp engine. To drive, the SZ was essentially a
barely-contained race car, with very agile handling
and sharp steering, although it was hardly a refined
cruising machine.
In January 2019, after having had its layers of dust
accumulated over the years wiped off, the Giulietta SZ
and 12 other cars belonging to Avalle were put up for
sale in a government auction as ‘title-free inheritance
goods’. The official auction estimate was comically low
- 14,000 euros – and it was no surprise that a 15-
minute bidding war ensued in the sale room. The
winner of this frenzied action ended up being an Italian
classic car dealer called Silvauto, which bid a huge
567,000 euros (although the eventual price paid was
allegedly even higher than that). This is a record value
for an Alfa Romeo Giulietta SZ, but clearly justified by
the car’s superbly original condition. For now, this
historic machine has been added to the 90-strong
collection of Silvauto’s Dario Belloli. Perhaps it will be
put up for sale, perhaps it will be retained.
What is certain is that the car will not suffer any
kind of restoration, but kept in its current, beautifully
preserved condition. This is something that Zagato’s
current Marketing and Brand Manager, Paolo Di
Taranto, fully supports, having viewed for himself its
remarkable state of conservation. We can only add
our own seal of approval that this historic machine will
be preserved as it is. IIIUntouched engine bay
includes a sticker showing
air filter replacement at
91,000km in 1987 and an oil
change at 94,000km in 1994ENGINE: 1290cc 4-cyl twin-cam
BORE X STROKE: 74mm x 75mm
COMPRESSION RATIO: 9.7: 1
POWER: 98hp at 6500rpm
INDUCTION: 2 x Weber 40DCOE2
TRANSMISSION: 5-speed manual
TYRES: 155-15
SUSPENSION: Transverse arms, coil springs, anti-roll
bar (front), longitudinal arms, central
A-arm, coil springs (rear)
BRAKES: Drums all round
DIMENSIONS: 3920mm (L), 1540mm (W), 1250mm (H)
WEIGHT: 854kg
TOP SPEED: 124mphTECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS
ALFA ROMEO GIULIETTA SZ