Chassis No. AR10126 00043

Engine No. AR1315 45005

As researched by Marco Fazio of Centro Documentazione Alfa Romeo, this Giulietta Sprint Zagato (SZ) completed production on 23 September 1960 originally finished in Grigio Metallizzato (metallic grey) with a red leather interior. The car found a fitting home with famed Italian jewelry designer Gianni Bulgari in Rome by January 1961. Bulgari wasted no time entering his new lightweight Alfa in the April running of the Stallavena-Boscochiesanuova hillclimb, finishing a respectable fifth in class on its first outing-likely as a warm-up for the second round of the World Sports Car Championship. Just three weeks later the car was entered in the Targa Florio, the second round of that year's FIA World Sports Car Championship, by Bulgari's Campidoglio team for he and his co-driver Maurizio Grana, in a hotly contested 1300 GT field consisting of a large gaggle of other SZs. Unfortunately, the Zagato was retired after six laps of the nearly 45-mile, mountainous Piccolo Circuito delle Madonie course.

While a single Targa Florio appearance in period would be a highlight for any historic racing car, the best was yet to come. A pair of class wins soon followed at the Coppa Gallenga hillclimb and the Strettura-Passo della Somma hillclimb. Following these successes, the car entered the Trento-Bondone hillclimb in July, finishing seventh overall. In August, Bulgari and Grana were co-drivers during the 4 Hours of Pescara Coppa Acerbo, where they finished 10th overall and second in class to Elio Zagato, racing the latest SZ prototype. During this race, the car was fitted with sleek headlight covers. The season's final event came in September when Grana piloted the car during the prestigious Coppa Inter-Europa at Monza.

The trio of Bulgari, Grana, and the SZ teamed up for just a single race in 1962, yet it was the highlight of the year for many European racing fans -the Targa Florio. The Alfa SZ, wearing start number 12, raced in that epic event alongside the SEFAC Ferrari Dino 196 and 246 SPs, Porsche Abarth Carrera GTLs, and heavy Alfa Romeo competition in their own class, completing nine laps over 650 kilometers before ill luck led them to be classified as a non-finisher on their final lap.

Following this, the car was sold to Gilberto Castagnini. Entered under the name of Scuderia Settecolli, Castagnini's brother and Corrado Ferlanio entered the Alfa in the Targa Florio for its third consecutive year in 1963. Period photos from the race show the car, number 26, was refinished in dark red while retaining the headlight covers and unique combination of alloy Amadori rear wheels and factory SZ front wheels - all features still present today. With continued fierce competition from some of the best drivers in the world, after five laps the duo were classified as a DNF.

On 11 August 1963, a declaration of sales document noted that the car was sold to Antonio Bonanno. Bonanno was an Italian living in Manhattan who imported the car to New York following his purchase. Once in New York, the car was purchased by Lorenzo Garcia of Laurelton, New York. Garcia used the car on a limited basis, and it remained in the same condition as when last raced in Sicily with two minor modifications. The grille was removed to increase the engine's cooling, and a North American Racing Team (NART) sticker was added that still adorns the front fender today. It should additionally be noted that at some point, likely during its early racing years, its original engine was replaced by a period 1300cc Giulietta block. Garcia would ultimately place the SZ into storage in late 1969, knowingly or unknowingly creating a virtual time capsule...

The Zagato caused quite a stir when it emerged after 45 years in storage at the September 2014 Sunday in the Park Concours d' Elegance held during the Lime Rock Historics. While not on the track that weekend, the SZ remained in such a highly conserved state the judges awarded it a first in class award. Stanley Bauer of Los Angeles, California, purchased the Alfa in January 2015 and, with a true appreciation for its original cosmetic condition, invested approximately $100,000 in a complete mechanical overhaul, with painstaking effort not to disturb the many original finishes still present on the car from its last Targa Florio over 50 years prior.

With its engine freshly rebuilt engine as part of the restorative efforts, the car was primed for road use during the 2015 running of the Colorado Grand. After proving its merits over the 1,000-mile tour, the car was entered into the Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance the following year, where it was shown in the Preservation Class. Armed with the satisfaction of having competed in two of the most prestigious, yet varied automotive events on the automotive calendar, Bauer sold the car in 2018 to its next caretaker, Benjamin Clymer-best known as the founder of Hodinkee. At the 2019 Greenwich Concours d'Elegance, the SZ was part of the 75 Years of Zagato feature, and not only did it win the Post-War Preservation Award, but Andrea and Marella Zagato were on hand, and it is reported that they assessed it as a reference car against which all other SZs should be judged.

After its showing in Greenwich, the SZ received a major mechanical service from Randy Elber's R&R Automotive of Mount Kisco, New York. The engine was removed for another complete overhaul. While the engine work was taking place, additional work was performed on the suspension and electrics and the drive shaft was rebalanced. When the work was completed in August 2022, an additional total of around $30,000 had been invested in the car's mechanical systems.

Purchased by the current owner in 2023, the SZ would be enjoyed spiritedly during the 2024 California Mille. Following that event, The Pit Stop of Brisbane, California performed a brake job, valve adjustment, carburetor rebuild, and a shock rebuild, before it would be presented on the lawn at the Hillsborough Concours d'Elegance. Today, this SZ remains a truly captivating, highly original example of a rare 1960s Alfa Romeo flagship draped with authentic European FIA racing provenance. It has been remarkably well preserved since its final entry into the Targa Florio over 60 years ago, with its race tech sticker and ACI Tassa di Circolazione still present on the windshield. Highly prized by collectors and enthusiasts for its sporting qualities combined with its rare lightweight Zagato bodywork, the Sprint Zagato is an Alfa Romeo icon. This example holds an even greater appeal due to its remarkable provenance, fascinating and significant race history, unrivaled originality and known ownership history from new.