Alfa Romeo SZ ‘Granturismo Speciale’

NOT JUST ANY SZ…

THE MODEL

• The Alfa Romeo SZ (Sprint Zagato) was first unveiled to the public at the 1989 Geneva Motor Show as the ‘ES-30’ (Experimental Sportscar 3.0 Litre).
• This low volume, high-performance sports car was initially conceived in an effort to revive Alfa Romeo’s sporting heritage.
• However, unlike it’s racing predecessors of the 1950s and 1960s – regarded by many as some of the most beautiful cars ever made –  the SZ’s unusual lines and harsh features quickly earned it the nickname “Il Mostro”, or, “The Monster”.
• Its unique shape, quirky styling, and bold interior were all designed in-house by Robert Opron and Antonio Castellana (not by Zagato as many people believe), and was one of the first cars to make use of early CAD (Computer-Aided Design) technology.
• Beneath its thermoplastic composite body, the SZ was mechanically very similar to the Alfa Romeo 75, with a race derived suspension set-up and legendary ‘Busso’ 3.0L V6 engine.
• Performance tests at the time record a power output of 207bhp and a top speed of 152mph, with an impressive 0-60mph time of 7.0s.
• During its 2 year production run, from 1989-1991, only 1,036 SZs were ever produced – all LHD, finished in Red ov. Tan – making it now one of the most distinctive and collectable Alfa Romeos of the period.

This Car

• Delivered new on the 25th March 1991 to the Italian concessionaire, Perego Auto SrL, SZ no. 331 of 1036 remained in dealer possession until October 1997 when it was bought by its first private owner, an Englishman then based in Middlesex, with just under 15,000km on the clock.
• Subsequent records indicate that the car was imported into the UK shortly after, being registered under ‘H279 JLB’ in December 1997.
• Re-registered ‘WSY 331’ a couple of months later (chosen due to the car being no. 331 in the production series), the first owner enjoyed some 4,000km behind the wheel before selling it to the car’s current owner in February 1999.
• Since then, no. 331 has been meticulously (and we mean meticulously…) documented, maintained, and cared for by an owner whose love for the car cannot be ignored.
• Not satisfied, however, with the ‘standard’ factory specification, the owner has embarked on a 20 year project to carefully upgrade, improve, and re-imagine no. 331 into what he’s affectionately called the ‘Granturismo Speziale’.
• A host of tasteful modifications have been carried out in order to create the ultimate “GT” Alfa Romeo SZ, including:
  • Bespoke leather interior door cards, centre column and steering wheel;
  • Gear Knob operated Cruise Control;
  • HID head lamps (originals available);
  • Short-throw Gear Leaver;
  • Kenwood Double-DIN Head Unit (Bluetooth & Reversing Camera);
  • Stainless Steel Exhaust System;
  • Period correct UK specification MPH speedometer;
  • ECU Chipped (Squadra Tuning +10-15bhp power, +25-30Nm torque); and
  • Custom 18” Split-Rim Alloy Wheels
• This is a truly unique example of an already iconic and collectable modern classic, and is accompanied by an enormous history file containing every conceivable record, service book, build certificate and maintenance/work receipt.