1970 Alfa Romeo GT 1300 Junior Z Coupé
Coachwork by Carrozzeria Zagato
Registration no. BOU 71H
Chassis no. AR1800525

The creator of some of Carrozzeria Zagato's most memorable designs of the post-WW2 period - arguably its most productive - was Ercole Spada. Spada introduced the Alfa Romeo Giulia TZ's sawn-off tail and was also responsible for the Alfa Romeo Giulietta and 2600 SZs and the Junior Z, the latter being one of the last models developed under the stewardship of company founder, Ugo Zagato.

Based on the mechanicals of the 105-Series Giulia saloon, the Junior Z was introduced for 1970 in '1300' form before being upgraded with the 1,570cc engine in 1972. Lighter than the production models from which it was derived, despite – unusually for a Zagato design – having steel body panels rather than aluminium, the Junior Z was compact, nimble, aerodynamically efficient and fast. The 1,290cc twin-cam four producing 89bhp at 6,000rpm, enough to propel the sleek Z to around 107mph. The 1300 continued in production until October 1972, by which time 1,108 had been produced, enough to enable homologation in FIA Appendix J Group 3, while a further 402 examples of the 1600 version were built up to 1975. All were left-hand drive.

First registered on 5th November 1970, this rare 1300 Junior Z is an older, correctly detailed restoration, the work having been carried out by an Italian specialist. The car is finished in its rare, original pale yellow livery, as was the prototype, and is equipped with the desirable, period alloy wheels. Since arriving in the UK it has been serviced and maintained by renowned Alfa Romeo specialist, Chris Snowdon, who has fitted a fully reconditioned 'short 5th' 1300 gearbox from Classic Alfa. A rewarding driver's car, like all Alfa Romeos, this very pretty Zagato-bodied Junior offers sublime coachbuilt Italian style and is surely one of the very best examples currently available. Ready to enjoy, it is offered with current MoT/tax, V5C registration document and a history file containing its original Italian documentation.