Have a FaceBook, Twitter, or other social networking account?

Link them to your fanatic account!

Add An Account

TAKE ME TO...
Automotive Lifestyle
VINTAGE: Coachbuilt Alfa In Original Form
Low-slung 1965 coupe is one-of-a-kind Pininfarina masterwork based on the high-performance TZ.
Wouter Melissen  | http://www.ultimatecarpage.com  |  Posted April 22, 2010   Monaco (FR)
The Alfa Romeo Giulia 1600 Sport Pininfarina Coupe, shown at the Louis Vuitton Classic in Paris, will make a rare appearance at the upcoming Concorso d'Eleganza Villa d'Este. (Photo: Wouter Melissen)
Alfa Romeo had not produced a purpose-built racing car for almost a decade when Carlo Chiti's Autodelta rolled out the TZ in June 1962. In the years before, the Italian manufacturer's racing cars were all modified and even re-bodied road cars. Autodelta was officially independent from Alfa Romeo but received considerably works support and was incorporated in 1964.

Rarely seen, the Pininfarina coupe has survived in remarkably original condition. (Photo: Wouter Melissen)
The TZ abbreviation is short for Tubulare Zagato and refers to the tubular space-frame chassis and aluminum body designed and manufactured by Zagato. In two slightly different versions, just over 100 examples were built. Not surprisingly, a vast majority was clothed by Zagato but Autodelta also supplied two of the later, lower chassis to the carrozzeria's rivals, Bertone and Pininfarina.

Both companies decided to use the exceptionally low machine as a basis for a new show car. Bertone was in first with the Canguro (Italian for kangaroo) launched at the 1964 Paris Motor Show. The highly acclaimed design was penned by Giorgietto Giugaro and shared its basic proportions with Zagato's original. Plans to produce a limited run were shot down by Alfa Romeo.

Pininfarina launched their take on the TZ a few months later at the 1965 Turin Motorshow. Known as the Giulia 1600 Sport, the car featured a very distinctive design. The minimal height of the chassis, one of the very last produced, was further accentuated by long overhangs and pronounced front fenders. Another distinct design cue is the crest on the engine cover, running from the Alfa Romeo badge back.

Both show cars were only rarely seen after their launch. The Canguro was essentually destroyed during testing and only resurfaced in 2005. The history of the Giulia 1600 Sport is somewhat similar, although it has survived in remarkably original condition. Like the Canguro, it has been in Japanese hands for a considerable amount of time.

In 2003, the exceptional Alfa Romeo Giulia 1600 Sport made a rare appearance at the Louis Vuitton Classic, where it is seen here. The Pininfarina-styled machine is set to return to Europe for this year's Concorso d'Eleganza Villa d'Este, some five years after the Canguro stole the show at the same event.

Play! SPEED Fantasy Racing and Super 7 Sweep
wouter_melissen's avatar

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Wouter Melissen

UltimateCarPage.com

MORE BY THIS AUTHOR
Advertising | Jobs | Feedback | FAQ | Terms of Use | NEW Privacy Policy | Ad Choices | Site Map
Fox Sports | FUEL TV | FX Network | National Geographic | IGN | AskMen
The Motor Sports Authority, SPEED and associated logos are registered trademarks of Speed Channel Inc.
All Rights Reserved © Speed Channel, Inc. 2012

All external links will open in a new browser window. SPEED.com does not endorse external sites.