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[deQuincey]

 

[deQuincey]

1960 Alfa Romeo Giulietta Sprint Zagato – Project Profile​

Dale Vinten​

January 18, 2024

We all love a barn find don’t we? The pure joy of discovering a classic that’s been hidden away for decades with the promise of rich rewards following a bit of a clean and refresh is as alluring as it is exciting. Whole careers have been made out of this classic phenomenon and many a pretty penny has changed hands for the privilege of unearthing these buried treasures. You just have to look at our very own YouTube channel to see that the videos involving us liberating various sequestered classics (whether it be a knackered old Transit or a down at heel Austin A30) are the most popular. Well, do we have a treat for you today ladies and gentlemen with this 1960 Alfa Romeo Giulietta Sprint Zagato.



Not only is this a bona fide barn find, having not seen the light of day since 2001 (and complete with the requisite covering of dust and cobwebs for provenance), but it’s also a bit of a unicorn car. You see, only around 200 of these Giulietta Sprint Zagato models were ever made and what’s more, the car’s origin story is a bit of a blinder to boot.



Genesis for the Giulietta Sprint Zagato began way back in 1956 when Italian gentleman driver Dore Leto di Priolo binned his Giulietta Sprint Veloce at the world renowned Mille Miglia race. Not wanting to abandon the car (who can blame him!), the car was handed over to famed Milanese coachbuilder Zagato to be fully repaired. Zagato fixed the car of course, but the firm also took the opportunity to produce a lightweight racing car based upon the shorter chassis of the Giulietta combined with the mechanicals of the Sprint Veloce, resulting in the Giulietta SVZ.



The SVZ was an instant success thanks to its dainty measurements and aluminium bodywork and seeing the potential in the car, Zagato decided to put it into production in 1959 in agreement with Alfa Romeo, and the limited edition Alfa Romeo Giulietta Sprint Zagato was born. Using a space frame chassis, perspex side windows and a relatively sparse interior to keep the car’s weight down the SZ was considerably faster than its steel-bodied brethren and would go on to be incredibly competitive in multiple motorsport disciplines.

WHAT IS IT?​

This is one such SZ. A 1960 model featuring the original round tail, or “Coda Tonda” design, the car was discovered in a field in Italy in the early ’90s having been lying dormant since 1971. It was then extensively restored and re-registered in ’95 using a replacement engine and gearbox – mismatched but both correct to the period.

WHY IS IT A PROJECT?​

Despite having been restored in the early 1990s this Alfa Romeo Giulietta Sprint Zagato has been in dry storage pretty much ever since then. It is, however, believed to be remarkably solid and well preserved having been used sparingly since its restoration. The bodywork will of course need some attention but would also wear any patina it has accrued with illustrious Italian pride. The vendor states that the car runs, is roadworthy and drivable, with everything appearing complete and in good condition under the bonnet. It is, however, offered as non-functional and non-mechanically tested.

WHAT SHOULD YOU LOOK FOR?​

This is a Car & Classic auction listing and as such comes with a professionally written description and a whole host of quality photos for your perusing pleasure. We’ve done the work for you which means you can rest assured knowing that you have all of the information necessary to confidently bid. And bid you should because these cars rarely come up for sale, especially in such beautifully preserved condition as this.

WHAT SHOULD YOU DO WITH IT?​

Some would argue that the car’s patina and storied history should be celebrated and as such that wouldn’t require much more than a decent wash and mechanical check over. Run it down to the local MOT tester to get a professional opinion and if all is tickety boo then simply drive and enjoy it. The other option is of course to go with a second, full on resto, but with such a great base to start with that doesn’t seem like such a daunting task. Whichever option you choose you’ll have one incredibly rare and sought after Alfa with racing heritage galore that’s just begging to be put back into competition where it belongs. We told you it was a unicorn now didn’t we, and one that can very much be ridden…