• Among the most beautiful Alfa Romeo designs to come from the pen of Ercole Spada
• One of an estimated 217 examples of the highly coveted Sprint Zagato—a lightweight competition version of the Giulietta
• A prolific hill climb entrant in 1960s Italian competition; accompanied by multiple entry sheets and matching event photos
• History file contains copies of period Automobile Club d’Italia documentation

Weighing in at just 770 kilograms and revealed at the 1961 Geneva International Motor Show, the SZ was a competition-ready take on the Giulietta. It was designed with lightweight aluminium bodywork designed by Ercole Spada of Zagato. The beautifully proportioned and rounded coupé shell was small even by the standards of its two-door Giulietta Sprint sister model, following closely Spada’s vision for an agile and nimble sports car. The first models were made in December 1959 with production continuing into 1962, with an estimated 217 examples of the minimalist berlinetta falling into the hands of amateur racers and hill climb enthusiasts alike.

The example offered here, chassis “00124”, was confirmed by Alfa Romeo Museo Storico to have been completed by the factory on 27 January 1961, finished in Azzuro. The diminutive sports car was registered under the licence plate “SP 23123” while belonging to the gentleman driver and former AC Milan president, Mr Albino Buticchi.

Just a few short months into his ownership, the Alfa Romeo SZ was tested at the top level of competition, with Buticchi partnering Nicola Camilli under race number 27 to take on the 1961 Mille Miglia over 27 and 28 May—albeit through the informal “rally” format at road-legal speeds following the final no-holds-barred race in 1957. Buticchi then entered the Alfa Romeo in the Monza GT Grand Prix on 29 June, finishing 6th overall after completing 55 laps. The car was later driven by Buticchi in the 1961 Pescara 4 Hours, finishing 9th overall. The Italian driver’s final outing before selling the car was at the 1961 Pontedecimo-Giovi, finishing 1st in the 1,150 cc to 1,300 cc class.

In October 1961, ownership was transferred to Mr Carlo Cremascoli, who re-registered the car as “SV 35813” before embarking on a succession of hill climb entries. Between April 1962 and September 1963, Mr Cremascoli entered 12 events including Cesena Sestiere, Castell’ Arquato-Vernasca, Bobbio-Penice, Coppa Renzo Cantoni, and more—the full race list can be viewed in the car’s accompanying history file. In 1985, the Alfa Romeo was sold again, and re-registered in the region of Imperia, Italy.

Now finished in red over a black leather interior, with its period-correct Borrani Bi-Metal wheels, this Giulietta SZ offers irresistible 1960s Alfa Romeo charm complete with enviable competition history and continuous, documented ownership history. The peppy performance and excellent road manners of this delightful and rare racer would make it just as at home on early morning Sunday drives as it would in the many historic motorsport classes for which it is eligible—not least the forthcoming Tour Auto 2023, organised to celebrate Zagato.
To view this car and others currently consigned to this auction, please visit the RM website at rmsothebys.com/en/auctions/pa23.