Alfa Romeo Giulietta SZ Coda Tronca

The Alfa Romeo Giulietta SZ Coda Tronca: In the hands of private racers, the SZ won a series of impressive races, oftentimes outperforming cars of greater engine capacity. The Lotus Elite and the Abarth Simca 1300 proved to be formidable competitors, so in order to remain competitive, Alfa offered the second series SZ. In collaboration with the Servizio Esperienze Speciale (test department), Carrozzeria Zagato, and the results of aerodynamic studies by Kamm, the SZ II was born. Even with an engine of just 1.3 liters, the cars were very successful and surprisingly fast, capable of easily topping 120 mph. The lightweight bodywork by Zagato, in combination with specially tuned engines which featured more power thanks to high compression, tighter tolerances, more aggressive cams, and careful tuning, made the car a winner right out of the box. Initially, Zagato had to use an uneconomical method of private elaboration—requiring the coachbuilder to acquire the cars at full price, then dismantle and rebuild them (that situation changed in 1959). Once the chassis was sent to Zagato, more than 300 hours was required to build the body, resulting in an expensive automobile, keeping production at a minimum. Little more than 200 examples were built, the last of which were 44 “coda tronca” versions such as this example. Most were modified in some manner, as few were actually used as touring cars. To fully exploit the car’s potential, Ercole Spada, a newly employed designer, fashioned more aerodynamic bodywork. Bodies with lower roofs and long tails ending in a Kamm treatment (very much in the style of the Giulia 1600 TZ which immediately followed in production) helped the car gain top speed. Other technological advancements included Girling front disc brakes and three-shoe big finned rear drums, along with a standard five-speed transmission. A higher final drive ratio was sometimes included in order to enhance speeds made capable by the streamlined body shape. Along with Giulia-type instruments, the SZ IIs featured steel inner wheels with aluminum outer rings. The SZ’s inherent stability and instantaneous response to steering input made it a driver’s car par excellence and the preferred choice of many private racers. When new, the Alfa Romeo Giulietta Sprint Coda Tronca proved virtually unbeatable, and its desirability continues today in historic motorsports as it remains eligible for a wide variety of prestigious events.