THE TUBOLARE ZAGATO

Following the success of the Giulietta Sprint Zagato of the early 1960s, Alfa Romeo began to devise a replacement for the racing berlinetta to be built on the new 105 Series platform. The 105 was first introduced at Geneva in March 1962, but it was initially only available as the Giulia T.I. sedan. The older 101 platform temporarily continued in the Giulietta coupés and spiders until appropriate replacements could be developed on the 105 chassis. The new racing berlinetta actually benefited from this gradual transition, as it received an unrushed and deliberate process of engineering by Delta, Carlo Chiti’s competition concern (soon to be renamed as Autodelta).

The resulting Tubolare Zagato, or TZ, first debuted to the public in late 1962 at the Turin Salon, riding a rigid but lightweight tube frame that inspired the model’s name. Continuing its fruitful relationship with the manufacturer, Zagato fashioned beautiful new coachwork in aluminium that aerodynamically exploited the platform’s raw potential.

Underneath the rakish coachwork, the standard 105 Series running gear was modified with stiffer springing and a fully independent rear suspension, while a taller fifth gear, limited-slip differential, and inboard rear disc brakes contributed to superior handling and agility. The new 1,570-cubic centimetre Giulia engine was mounted at a 20-degree angle that required specially cast components, including the intake manifold and the sump. With Weber carburettors, the motor developed 112 horsepower in street specification but could be tuned to produce 170 for racing use. Weighing just 660 kilograms, the TZ was capable of reaching a breath-taking top speed of 215 km/h.

Lorenzo Bandini piloted one of the earliest Tubolare Zagatos to a class win and 2nd overall finish during the model’s racing debut at the Coppa FISA at Monza in November 1963. An impressive string of class victories followed for the TZ at 1964 events, including the 12 Hours of Sebring, the Targa Florio, the Nürburgring 1000 KM, the 24 Hours of Le Mans, the Tour de France, the Coupe des Alpes, the Tour de Corse, and the Critérium des Cévennes.

Only 101 examples of the TZ were produced through 1967, and the model proved to be one of the most dominant and resilient competitors of its era. With even fewer known survivors remaining today, the TZ has become highly prized by collectors and aficionados for its design, rarity, superlative build quality, competition pedigree, and impressive performance. It is, in the opinion of many enthusiasts, the ultimate expression of the classic post-war inline four-cylinder Alfa Romeo sports car.

CHASSIS NUMBER 750039

This striking Tubolare Zagato is approximately the 39th example built, and it claims both successful competition history and a more recent period of long-term care by a dedicated collector. According to the records of the Zagato Register, chassis number 750039 completed construction on 28 April 1965, equipped with dual ignition and 15-inch wheels.

Finished in blue paint over a black interior, the TZ was distributed to the official Alfa Romeo dealer of Rome before being acquired in May 1965 by its first owner, local resident Angelo Pelatelli. Mr Pelatalli embarked on a successful racing campaign starting with a 1st-in-class finish at the Valvisciolo-Bassiano on 27 June. The Giulia took 2nd-in-class at the Criterium dell’Ora Vallelunga in October and managed an impressive 6th-overall finish at the Trofeo 5 Conchiglie Vallelunga on 4 November. Twelve days later, 750039 again finished 2nd-in-class, this time at the Viterbo-Poggio Nibbio.

On 1 July 1966, the Giulia was sold to Ippolito d’Ippolito, a dealer in Catanzaro, and around this time, it was repainted in silver. In June 1968, the TZ was purchased by Pier Luigi Vasile of Salerno, a member of the Squadra Piloti Senesi racing team, and he campaigned the car extensively while making gradual modifications to the bodywork, starting with the addition of cooling vents to the hood. Regularly competing at venues such as the Coppa Sila, the Volte di Popoli, the Coppa Primavera Amalfi-Agerola, and the Trofeo Lodovico Scarfiotti, 750039 soon received a fresh coat of orange paint, widened rear wheel arches, and cutout door handles. In February 1972, Mr Vasile sold the TZ to Palmina Pisano of Nocera Inferiore, and it then passed to Ernesto Sant’Elia of Napoli in July 1974.

During the mid-1970s, the rare TZ was imported to the United States and later owned by Wes Gilpin of Dallas, Texas, who is believed to have acquired the Alfa from an American serviceman who brought the car from Italy. The car was then acquired in early 1978 by its next caretaker, Rocky Chisholm of Yorba Linda, California. Reportedly wearing a blue finish with a non-vented hood, the Alfa was soon restored, repainted red, and prepared for racing use, including significant attention to the suspension. Interestingly, during the restoration, Mr Chisholm found several olive pits in the bowels of the bodywork; it would seem as though someone was having lunch when the car was being built. He decided to leave a few of the pits in the car for good luck.

In early 1983, 750039 was sold to its current owner, a Dutch collector of fine sports-racing cars, and it was re-imported to Europe. The TZ was treated to some restoration work and dialled in for further competitive use, after which it successfully ran numerous vintage rallies throughout Europe, including the Coppa d’Italia as well as the Targa Florio.

Currently fitted with a vented competition hood, this Tubolare Zagato has enjoyed only modest use during the last 10 years, and it is believed to have never been presented at any concours d’elegance. It would make a fantastic acquisition for re-entry to the vintage racing ranks, or it might serve as the basis for an important restoration to show-winning standards. In either regard, chassis number 750039 figures to receive a warm welcome by the collectible Alfa Romeo niche after its seclusion in 33 years of dedicated single ownership.

Boasting rarity, documented period competition success, and an identity as one of the 1960s' most revered racing berlinettas, this stunning Giulia TZ would make a definitive addition to any collection, particularly suitable for marque enthusiasts and post-war sports-racing connoisseurs.