Few automotive partnerships yielded such extravagant results as Alfa Romeo's decade-spanning collaboration with Zagato. Introduced at the Turin Motor Show in 1962, the Giulia TZ — later dubbed the TZ1 after the arrival of the fiberglass-bodied TZ2 — was designed with a singular, uncompromising purpose: to dominate the racetrack while remaining perfectly legal on public roads. It blended raw, purpose-built mechanics with avant-garde design from Milano.
The "T" in its name stood for Tubolare, referencing the advanced tubular space-frame chassis that provided excellent structural rigidity. Wrapped in a razor-thin aluminum body crafted by Zagato, the car tipped the scales at a mere 760 kg. When paired with the 112 bhp, 1.6-liter twin-cam engine derived from the Giulia TI, this ultra-lightweight construction gave the TZ1 an astonishing power-to-weight ratio. This aerodynamic racer, featuring a Zagato-typical Kamm tail, proved nearly unbeatable in its class, conquering some of the hardest endurance events like the Targa Florio, Le Mans, and Sebring. Only 112 examples left the factory between 1963 and 1965, cementing its status as one of the most collectible Alfa Romeo rarities.
Swiss Heritage and Meticulous Craftsmanship
Among this limited production run, chassis number 019 occupies a special place, particularly for Swiss collectors. Leaving the factory on May 25, 1964, it was delivered to the official Swiss importer in Lugano just a few days later. It took some months until it received its first official registration in January 1965, though. Originally finished in a highly unusual and eye-catching yellow-green, the small coupé was repainted in classic Italian racing red later in its life. After changing hands several times during the sixties and seventies and receiving a correct replacement engine around 1972, the car found long-term care under an enthusiast in the early eighties, who eventually sold it to its last owner in 1997.
This last custodian didn't just cherish the car; they exercised it at historic hill climbs before embarking on a comprehensive, no-expense-spared restoration starting in November 2001. The aluminum bodywork was completely stripped down to bare metal, corroded panels were expertly replaced, and the car was repainted from the bare metal. The engine was rebuilt with a new cylinder head, Carrillo racing connecting rods, custom pistons, new valve seats, and special valves. Overhauled mechanically from its suspension to its gearbox, and riding on a fresh set of magnesium wheels, the entire process is meticulously documented through photographic records and receipts. Completed in July 2003, the coupé has since covered around 19,000 kilometers under regular maintenance.
Currently presented in very good technical condition with normal signs of wear, it passed its last veteran MOT in October 2023, allowing for immediate registration. The car enters the auction with an estimate of 928,353 to 1,092,180 Euro.
