SZ Coupe (Type 162) 1989 - 1993

Designed at Alfa Romeo Centro Stile under the direction of Walter de Silva, the late Robert Opron, who also penned the Citroen Maserati SM, and Antonio Castellana were instrumental in forming the basis for the eventual design.

Built: 1991 by Zagato (number 337 of 998)

Specification: 2959cc V6 cylinder overhead cam developing 210bhp in original form. Engine mounted at front driving rear wheels through rear mounted 5 speed limited slip differential transaxle giving near perfect 50/50 front/rear weight distribution.

Suspension: Front – independent with unequal length upper and lower wishbones, coil springs, telescopic dampers and anti-roll bar. Rear: de Dion tube, coil springs and telescopic dampers.

Brakes: Ventilated discs all round – mounted inboard at rear.

The Alfa Romeo SZ was the result of a programme following the Fiat takeover in 1987. It was decided that Alfa should demonstrate its sports car and coupe tradition was still alive. What was needed was a dramatic statement, something to get Alfa noticed again, and nothing could have been more dramatic than the Zagato-built Alfa SZ, or ES30 as it was known. In Italy, it was called ‘Il Mostro’ (the monster) clearly trading attractive looks for dramatic impact. Only 1,036 were made of which 38 were prototypes. All were left-hand-drive and painted red with a grey roof except one that is, which was painted black and belongs to the Zagato family. In addition some 250 convertibles were produced, available in red, yellow or black.

This car was purchased by current owner in 1999 from a private collection in Holland when it had only covered some 800 miles.

In 2000 we took the car on a trip to Italy with the Alfa Romeo Owners Club

following the route of the Mille Miglia. During the trip we were fortunate enough to be able to take our car round Alfa Romeo’s test track facility at Balocco. We have just completed a similar trip to Italy which included a couple more laps of Balocco and a drive round The Lingotto rooftop track in Turin.

2010 marked Alfa Romeo’s centenary and we drove this car to Milan to join in the celebrations with over 3,000 other Alfa Romeos.