1961 Alfa Romeo Giulietta SZ ‘Codatronca’
The last 30 Sprint Zagatos in the 200 car production run featured the ‘Coda Tronca’ bodywork was an updated version of Alfa Romeo’s racing Giulietta with a slimmer, more aerodynamic body by Zagato.
The entire body was much longer, and was designed to penetrate the air better. Detail changes included a cut-off Kamm tail, narrower front air intake, a lower roof and the use of disc brakes up front.
The entire body was much longer, and was designed to penetrate the air better. Detail changes included a cut-off Kamm tail, narrower front air intake, a lower roof and the use of disc brakes up front.
Both SZ’s were based on the shorter chassis of the Giulietta Spider combined with the mechanicals of the racier Sprint Veloce. Franco Scaglione designed the SZ body in Bertone’s studio, while the aluminum panels were beat out by hand at Zagato’s workshop.
Because of its small size, and aluminum bodywork, the SZ was much faster than its steel-bodied production counterparts. Furthermore, the car used a space frame chassis, which was totally unlike the production Giulietta. Zagato also used perspex side windows and a relatively sparse interior to help reduce weight.
By 1959 the SZ’s replacement the Tubulore Zagato (TZ) was well underway. After extensive development the car was finally launched in 1963.
In Detail
submitted by | Richard Owen |
type | Racing Car |
built at | Italy |
predeccesor | 1961 Alfa Romeo Giulietta SZ |
succeccesor | 1963 Alfa Romeo Giulia TZ |
engine | Inline-4 |
position | Front Longitduinal |
aspiration | Natural |
valvetrain | DOHC, 2 Valves per Cyl |
displacement | 1290 cc / 78.7 in³ |
bore | 73.91 mm / 2.91 in |
stroke | 74.9 mm / 2.95 in |
compression | 9.70:1 |
power | 74.6 kw / 100 bhp @ 6000 rpm |
specific output | 77.52 bhp per litre |
bhp/weight | 116.69 bhp per tonne |
torque | 112.53 nm / 83.0 ft lbs @ 4500 rpm |
driven wheels | RWD |
front brakes | Drums |
rear brakes | Drums |
steering | Wrom & Sector |
curb weight | 857 kg / 1889 lbs |
wheelbase | 2248 mm / 88.5 in |
front track | 1290 mm / 50.8 in |
rear track | 1270 mm / 50.0 in |
length | 3848 mm / 151.5 in |
width | 1529 mm / 60.2 in |
height | 1232 mm / 48.5 in |
transmission | 5-Speed Manual |
gear ratios | 3.26:1, 1.98:1, 1.36:1, 1.00:1, 0.854:1 |
final drive | 4.56:1 |
top speed | ~193.1 kph / 120.0 mph |
0 – 60 mph | ~11.0 seconds |
0 – 1/4 mile | ~17.0 seconds |
Auction Sales History
Auction Source: RM 2011 Villa d’Este Auction