On 1989, at the Geneva Motor Show, Alfa Romeo unveiled a monster. Its initial impulse was at the hand of Robert Opron, while Antonio Castellana refined the design, as well as created the interior. The famed Zagato Z is on the car’s flanks—as they were mostly responsible for the construction of the beast.
Based on the Alfa 75, known in North America as the Milano, all the go-fast folk had their way with the new machine. The thermoplastic, injection-molded composite body was produced by Carplast in Italy and Stratime Cappelo Systems in France.
The look of the SZ is polarizing; it’s a love-it-or-hate-it design. So the name “Il Mostro” might come from the faction that doesn’t care for its show-car looks… or, just maybe, it comes from those who have been behind the wheel. Officially, you could have any color you wanted, as long as it was red. Unless your name was Andrea Zagato—then you could have a black one.
At the time of introduction, Fiat had taken the reins off the ailing Alfa Romeo and wanted to prove that once again, great cars badged with the Cross and Serpent would roam the highways and byways of the world.
Motor sport activity lurked quietly under the unique body—things got hot and heavy down there. The road going 75’s underpinnings were dumped and replaced by the Group A/IMSA suspension, which was modified by Fiat and Lancia rally works team manager and engineer Giorgio Pianta. Shod in Pirelli P Zero tires, the Monster could pull.1.1g in the corners.
The legend that was Giuseppe Busso had his hand in, as well. His super-smooth V6 engine with hot cams, new intake and exhaust manifold—plus 10:1 compression pushing out 210 hp!—made the SZ howl like, well, like a monster, boosting it up to over 150 mph. Under 2,800 pounds, with a short wheelbase and near perfect weight distribution, the Alfa is a superb handling car.
The show car was basically what went into production. It was so ground-scrapingly low that it had a little party trick by way of a button in the cockpit that raised the car 50-mm to clear speed bumps and steep driveways. In its day, it was the modern interpretation of the ’60s Sprint Zagato, but what the SZ is really all about is the old school driving experience.
Love it or hate it, the SZ has aged gracefully compared with other machines of the time. It’s not something passers-by think of as a 20-plus- year-old car. With narrow A and B pillars the greenhouse is wonderfully airy and gives you great visibility even with the high belt line. The interior is blessed with deeply bolstered leather seating and a steering wheel at the proper Italian angle. The passenger also has something to hang on to as well: a built-in hand grip in the seat for when the pilot is seeing if the claims on the G-forces are correct.
A full compliment of Veglia gauges occupy a very workmanlike dash, but that’s all forgotten when you awaken the monster and let it scream at you. Yet, it doesn’t scare; instead it puts a big old grin on your face and spontaneously inspires the cackling laughter of an old-time movie villain. When you put your foot into it, fast forward to the future—it’s a Star Wars, warp-speed kind of thing. This delivers everything an Alfa is supposed to be, and a bit more—because it is just so different than anything populating the public roads today.
Some love Frankenstein, others the Wolfman or the Mummy. If I had to choose a favorite monster, it would be the Alfa SZ.
Thanks to Ben Tarlow and Mid-Century Motoring for a—dare I say it—monstrous good time.
— Sean Smith
SPECIFICATIONS
Length: 4060 millimeters / 159.8 inches
Width: 1730 millimeters / 68.1 inches
Height: 1310 millimeters / 51.6 inches
Wheelbase: 2510 millimeters / 98.8 inches
Front track: 1464 millimeters / 57.6 inches
Rear track: 1426 millimeters / 56.1 inches
Curb weight (without driver) 1260 kilograms / 2778 pounds
Cylinders: V 6
Displacement: 2959 cc / 180.5 cid
Bore: 93 millimeters / 3.66 inches
Stroke: 72.6 millimeters / 2.86 inches
Comp. ratio: 10 : 1
Horsepower net: 154.5 kW / 210 PS / 207 hp (DIN) / 6200
Torque net: 245 Nm / 181 ft-lb / 4500
Performance
Top Speed 154 mph
0-60 mph 6.9 sec.
Mileage 20 mpg
VALUATION
New $50,000
Excellent $110,000
Good $93,000
Fair $70,000
