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AUTOS: TZ3 Corsa Marks Alfa Romeo’s Centennial
Zagato-built special that recalls famed TZ race cars unveiled at top European vintage-car festival.
Wouter Melissen  | http://www.ultimatecarpage.com  |  Posted April 29, 2010   Tivoli (IT)
The Alfa Romeo TZ3 Corsa was designed and built by Zagato as a modern version of the famous TZ race cars that are now valued collector cars.(Photo: Wouter Melissen)
Alfa Romeo and coach-builder Zagato have collaborated many times in the past. More often than not, the result was a high performance machine that worked as well on the road as on the track.

In that light, it is only fitting that Zagato should build a special competition car around Alfa Romeo mechanicals to celebrate the manufacturer's 100th anniversary in 2010.

The car was actually commissioned by a German enthusiast who already owns a very impressive collection of Zagato-bodied Alfa Romeos. The inspiration for the new project came from the Alfa Romeo TZ and TZ2 in the collection. These early 1960s competition cars feature a purpose-built tubular space-frame chassis and a Zagato-designed and built body, and the TZ name is short for Tubulare Zagato.

The red paint used on the TZ3 is identical to that of the original TZs, with the signature blacked-out tail section. (Photo: Wouter Melissen)
Dubbed the TZ3 Corsa, Zagato's homage to Alfa Romeo does not actually use a tubular frame like the TZs of old. In keeping with the latest technology, it instead uses a carbon-fiber monocoque, although there are enough tubular elements in the chassis to justify the name. Like many modern racing cars, the TZ3 is fitted with independent suspension and push-rod actuated shock absorbers all around.

The engine used for the TZ3 Corsa is an earlier version of the quad-cam V8 found in Alfa Romeo's 8C Competizione. Originally used in the Maserati GT and Spyder models, the engine displaces just over 4.2 liters. In its current trim, the all-alloy V8 is good for a hefty 420 horsepower, transferred to the rear wheels through a sequential six-speed gearbox. Pirelli has provided custom slick tires to fit the 18-inch wheels.

The lightweight mechanical package is clothed in a carefully crafted aluminum body. The design has clearly been inspired by the earlier TZ with its low profile, long nose and cut-off tail. The paint used for the car is identical to the red found on the original. Also typically TZ is the blacked-out tail section.

To honor Alfa Romeo, the car is emblazoned with big stickers of the company's badge on its nose and sides, as well as Autodelta badges on the A-panels.

Zagato's Alfa Romeos were always very light and at 1,870 pounds, the TZ3 Corsa is no exception. It is built as a racing car and equipped with only the bare necessities. The owner has no intention to enter the car in top-level racing and instead plans to use his new Zagato Alfa Romeo mostly for track-day purposes. For now, the car remains a one-off, although interested parties could always approach Zagato if they want their own TZ3.

The Alfa Romeo TZ3 Corsa was officially unveiled at the recent 2010 Concorso d'Eleganza Villa d'Este. A day later, during the Concorso d'Eleganza at the nearby Villa Erba, it received the Design Award for the best concept car or prototype picked by public referendum.

For a 12-photo gallery, see Alfa Romeo TZ3.

Read more articles like this at Ultimatecarpage.com.

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Wouter Melissen

UltimateCarPage.com

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