Unique ONES - When it comes to automotive legends, we often find ourselves reflecting on iconic brands like Ferrari or Aston Martin, but tucked away in Wisconsin, a lesser-known marvel was born. This brings us to the SSZ Stradale, a car that stands as a tribute to the Italian classics while blazing its own trail in performance. The brainchild of Alfa Romeo racer and restorer, Tom Zatloukal, this unique creation was produced between 1984 and 1999. Despite its American roots, the SSZ Stradale pays homage to the Alfa Romeo models of the late 1950s, blending the charm of Italian design with the brute power of modern engineering.
The SSZ Stradale Mark 1 Street Version was equipped with a 3.0-liter Alfa Romeo V6 engine. (Picture from: Wikipedia)
The name SSZ stands for "Sprint Speciale Zatloukal," a clear nod to its inspiration, the Alfa Romeo Giulietta Sprint Speciale. Zatloukal's goal was to take the beauty of the original Giulietta SS and reimagine it with higher performance and a wider, more aggressive body. Unlike the original 1.3-liter engine, which only produced 99 horsepower, Zatloukal envisioned something far more powerful. He crafted his SSZ to be a beast on the road, offering a range of engines, including a 3.0-liter Alfa Romeo V6 and even a twin-turbocharged variant that boasted a staggering 1,000 horsepower. It was not just a car; it was a machine designed to go head-to-head with the best grand tourers in history.
The SSZ Stradale Mark 2 Track Version featured a 500-horsepower Nissan engine. (Picture from: Wikipedia)
While many Alfa Romeo enthusiasts admire the design of the Giulietta Sprint Speciale, Zatloukal took it a step further. He made his custom coupe three inches wider and four inches lower than the original, creating a sleek, aerodynamic profile that not only looked stunning but also improved performance. He built four prototypes in total, initially using steel bodies before transitioning to lightweight fiberglass for enhanced speed and agility. This transformation allowed the SSZ to become a high-performance machine, one that could easily stand toe-to-toe with European sports cars of the era.
The SSZ Stradale Mark 3 Track Version powered by a twin-turbocharged 3.0-liter engine built by Electromotive, delivering up to 1,000 horsepower. (Picture from: Wikipedia)
Tom Zatloukal didn't just stop at aesthetics. His passion for racing was evident in the performance upgrades he brought to the SSZ Stradale. The car went through various iterations, with each Mark representing a new level of power. The Mark 1 was equipped with a 3.0-liter Alfa Romeo V6, while the Mark 2 featured a 500-horsepower Nissan engine. However, it was the Mark 3 that truly pushed the boundaries, featuring a twin-turbocharged 3.0-liter engine built by Electromotive, delivering up to 1,000 horsepower. Customers seeking even more power could opt for an aluminum Chevy LS6 V8 engine, making the SSZ not just fast but a serious competitor on the racetrack.
The SSZ Stradale Mark 3 Street Version. (Picture from: Wikipedia)
Despite its incredible performance and eye-catching design, the SSZ Stradale wasn't universally embraced. Some purists dismissed it as a replica, reluctant to accept Zatloukal’s tribute to Alfa Romeo. Yet, even Alfa enthusiasts couldn’t deny its allure. In fact, Alfa Owner magazine once featured the car, and Alfa historian Joe Benson affectionately dubbed it the 'Zatmobile.'Zatloukal never misrepresented his creation as an official Alfa Romeo, always making it clear that the SSZ Stradale was a tribute, not an imposter.
The SSZ Stradale Mark 4 Street Version. (Picture from: Wikipedia)
Between 1984 and 1999, Zatloukal hand-built 24 of these magnificent machines, each one a unique blend of beauty and power. They ranged from elegant road cars to track-ready racers, each reflecting Zatloukal’s vision of what an Alfa Romeo grand tourer could have been if mass-produced in the 1960s. These limited-production cars became coveted by collectors and performance enthusiasts alike, with their rarity only adding to their mystique. | f5nkAsf-4C8 |
Zatloukal's dedication to the SSZ Stradale didn’t end with the last car produced. He still holds a couple of unused fiberglass bodies, hinting that for the right price, he could be persuaded to build more of these Wisconsin-made beasts. For those passionate about high-performance cars with a classic Italian flair, this might be the ultimate opportunity to own a piece of automotive history crafted by a man whose love for Alfa Romeo never faded.
The SSZ Stradale stands as a testament to what happens when passion meets precision. Tom Zatloukal didn’t just dream of a high-powered Italian-inspired sports car—he built it. *** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | MOTORBISCUIT | WIKIPEDIA ]
Note: This blog can be accessed via your smart phone
Zatloukal's dedication to the SSZ Stradale didn’t end with the last car produced. He still holds a couple of unused fiberglass bodies, hinting that for the right price, he could be persuaded to build more of these Wisconsin-made beasts. For those passionate about high-performance cars with a classic Italian flair, this might be the ultimate opportunity to own a piece of automotive history crafted by a man whose love for Alfa Romeo never faded.
