291 miles from new
1990 Alfa Romeo SZ Coupé
Coachwork by Carrozzeria Zagato
Registration no. to be advised
Chassis no. ZAR16200003000348
Engine no. 1394230000383

Reviving its tradition of building special-bodied Alfa Romeos, including the original SZ (Sprint Zagato) competition coupé of the late 1950s, Carrozzeria Zagato unveiled its outrageous new SZ at the 1989 Geneva Salon. Built at Zagato's factory at Terrazano di Rho, the SZ was a joint project that also involved the styling departments of both Alfa Romeo and its parent company, FIAT, whose Robert Opron was responsible for the initial sketches. Originally typed 'ES-30' (Experimental Sports 3.0-litre) but known popularly as 'Il Mostro' (The Monster) the aggressive-looking two-seater coupé eschewed the rounded styling and aluminium-alloy coachwork hitherto associated with Zagato's high-performance Alfas in favour of an angular bodyshell crafted in lightweight moulded plastic - alloy roof excepted - and bonded to the floor pan of the existing Alfa 75. Lessons learned from the latter's race programme influenced the SZ's suspension, which endowed the car with superlative handling and roadholding, some drivers recording lateral cornering forces of up to 1.4G. Suspension development was overseen by engineer Giorgio Pianta, formerly team manager of the FIAT and Lancia works rallying teams. Powering the SZ to its highly respectable 152mph top speed was a 206bhp version of Alfa's superb 3.0-litre four-cam V6, widely recognised as one of the finest power plants of recent times. Demand for the 1,000-or-so units scheduled for series production greatly exceeded supply, and today this rare and highly individual supercar is much sought after. There was also an even rarer open spyder version: the RZ. The limited edition Alfa Romeo SZ was only manufactured in left-hand drive form and this example was first registered in the UK on 28th March 1991. A two-owner car, the SZ has been in storage since purchased by the current vendor in July 2010 and has covered only 291 miles from new. Finished in red with light tan leather interior, the car is described by the vendor as in generally very good condition, with noise-free transmission and electrics all working, and is offered with Swansea V5C document.