The forerunner of the 1960s Alfa Romeo racing legends

Legendary ONES Alfa Romeo Giulia TZ also known as Alfa Romeo TZ1 (where TZ is short of 'Tubolare Zagato') is a sports car and racing car model produced by Alfa Romeo from 1963 to 1965. The sports car which debuted at the 1962 Turin Auto Show, and replaced the popular model of Alfa Romeo Giulietta SZ. The first version of the Giulia TZ is sometimes referred to as the TZ1 to distinguish it with the next model called the Alfa Romeo TZ2.

Alfa Romeo Giulia TZ or Alfa Romeo TZ1 is a sports car and racing car model produced by Alfa Romeo from 1963 to 1965 based on the tubular frame chassis and aluminum-made bodywork of Zagato. (Picture from: ItalianWays)

Although the Giulia TZ is a tubular frame chassis sports car, it was also known as a custom built racing car carries the chassis number of #105. The car chassis was carried out by the Perugia-based SAI Ambrosini, while the lightweight aluminum bodywork was made by coachbuilder Zagato, with the final assembly being made by the Carlo Chiti owned company in Udine called Auto-Delta before Alfa Romeo appointed him as the project leader.

Alfa Romeo Giulia TZ or Alfa Romeo TZ1 is debuted at the 1962 Turin Auto Show. (Picture from: ItalianWays)

The company later changed its name to Autodelta (after become an independent subsidiary of Alfa Romeo for racing matters) and moved to its current headquarters in Settimo Milanesse on the outskirts of Milan, not far from the Alfa Romeo's Portello plant.

Alfa Romeo Giulia TZ or Alfa Romeo TZ1 applied 'coda tronca' or Kamm-tail to improve its preformance. (Picture from: ItalianWays)

Thanks to the using of the tubular frame chassis and alumunium bodywork made the Alfa Romeo Giulia TZ as a lightweight sports coupe weighing only 650 kg (1,430 lbs) so no wonder if the car can reach a top speed of 134 mph or 216 kph and for the speed deceleration, it used the disc brakes and independent suspension systems.

Alfa Romeo Giulia TZ or Alfa Romeo TZ1 race version powered by a DOHC four-cylinder engine with a capacity of 1,570 cc, which can generate power of 160 bhp (118 kW) at 6500 rpm. (Picture from: ItalianWays)

Then to improve the Giulia TZ's performance, at the rear-section applies the 'coda tronca' (Italian words means 'short tail'), otherwise known as 'Kamm-tail'. Those rear special-part is inspired by Dr. Wunibald Kamm's principle is stated that a marked increase in drag and a marked reduction in downforce can be accomplished by simply chopping off the rear of the vehicle. 

The one-off Alfa Romeo TZ1 Barchetta model has been rebodied after a crash in 1965, but don't know by whom. (Picture from: The Parking)

As previously, Zagato has proven the success of those rear bodywork design on the Alfa Romeo Sprint Zagato race car, and no wonder if then they adapted and applied it to the TZ.

The one-off Alfa Romeo TZ1 Barchetta model was once property of the Escuderia Lo Piccolo, Viale Francia, Palermo since 1963 to 2000 and appeared in burgundy color with black leather interior. (Picture from: FormosaCalssicCars)

Meanwhile for the drivetrain, the Alfa Romeo Giulia TZ race version is equipped with a DOHC four-cylinder engine with a capacity of 1,570 cc, which can generate power of 160 bhp (118 kW) at 6,500 rpm. Besides being built as a racing car, it turns out that the TZ is also built in the road version that uses an engine that is said to be capable of producing up to 112 bhp (82 kW). And the Alfa Romeo's twin-spark cylinder heads, as it used in their Giulia GTA cars also said to be contributed significantly to the speed of the TZ.

The one-off Alfa Romeo TZ1 Barchetta model has a slightly different bodywork shape than its sibling the TZ1 sports coupe without Kamm-tail at the rear. (Picture from: FormosaCalssicCars)

Although most of the Alfa Romeo TZ1 is made in a sports coupe model, it is said that the car was once built in the gorgeous roofless style known as the Alfa Romeo TZ1 Barchetta (only one was ever made). It's said that the car has been rebodied after a crash in 1965, but don't know by whom. And since 1963 to 2000, the rare TZ1 Barchetta model was once property of the Escuderia Lo Piccolo, Viale Francia, Palermo and appeared in burgundy color with black leather interior.

Alfa Romeo Giulia TZ made its racing debut at the 1963 FISA Monza Cup, where the Alfa Romeo race car took its first four places in the prototype category. In early 1964, the TZ was homologated to the Gran Turismo category that required more 100 units to be produced. During the periods of the 1963 to 1967, the Alfa Romeo Giulia TZ is built only 117 units including dozen of the TZ2 units. Since then, the car began to win more victories in various racing events in Europe and North America. *** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | CURIOSANDO708090 | ITALIANWAYS ]

Note: This blog can be accessed via your smart phone