Alfa Romeo Giulia TZ

Developed in just seven months by Autodelta, the Giulia TZ was intended to carry Alfa Romeos into GT-class endurance racing. A mere 100 cars were built so the model could meet FIA homologation requirements, and they arrived in time to contest the 1963 season. With low production, the TZ became a rare sight even in its own era.

It packs Zagato’s curvaceous fiberglass superstructure over a steel tubular spaceframe, keeping total length to 3 950 mm while trimming mass to around 660 kg. Up front sits the 1 570 cc twin-cam four from the Giulia TI, tuned for 112–160 hp depending on tune. The rear axle uses a magnesium case and in-board brakes, while a wind-cutting Kamm tail improves high-speed stability.

In its first year the TZ took class wins at the Nürburgring 1000 km and Targa Florio, and continued to notch victories through 1966. Privateers and works teams alike valued its reliability and balance; the car often finished on the podiums of prestigious endurance events cementing Alfa Romeo’s reputation in GT racing.

The TZ was replaced by the lighter TZ2 and eventually influenced the GTA touring car program. Today, with only about 100 examples built, surviving TZs are sought-after collectibles and frequent stars at historic racing events where their compact proportions and sonorous engines still turn heads.