The extensive restoration included a bare shell repaint to a very high level. Still retaining the rare original alloy bright work. The comprehensive mechanical restoration included: full suspension rebuild, Koni shock absorbers, new front sway bar, rebushed Watts linkage, new oil cooler and lines and all new intake tubing. The engine rebuild included: cylinder head (ported and polished with new valves and springs, new camshaft and pistons), bottom end (Carrillo rods, new bearings), ancillaries (starter, water pump, generator). The DCOE Weber 40 carburetors were rebuilt as was the distributor. A PerTronix electronic ignition was added. The close ratio 5-speed gearbox was rebuilt, the rear axle with a 5.39:1 ring and pinion and limited slip differential. A custom fuel cell was installed in the factory fuel tank. Since then the car has had consistent race prep and service. The engine being rebuilt in the past few years once again and the fuel cell renewed.
After the success of the Sprint Veloce, Alfa Romeo decided to build a small number of lightweight, purpose-built competition cars based on the Giulietta Series platform in 1959. Zagato was enlisted to build an aero dynamic, full-aluminum body. The windows were of plexiglass and a special lightweight interior was designed – all to save weight. The inline four-cylinder engine had a special build, Weber carburetors, air intake, and the best tuning to get the maximum horsepower. Special three-shoe drum brakes and light alloy wheels. Known as the SZ1 or Sprint Zagato Coda Tronca (Round Tail). Just over 160 cars were built.
This car was completed on January 26, 1961 and was supplied new to Libero Liberati, then 34, in Terni, Italy on April 27, 1961. He was the 1957 Grand Prix World Champion for 500cc motorcycles, besting famous riders John Surtees and Geoff Duke. This SZ was his race car until his death in 1962. It is believed that this SZ was a Scuderia Ambrosiana car of Liberati with Carlo Facetti as tuner. During the 1980s, the car was purchased by Martin Swig out of the Netherlands. Swig, a California collector and motoring enthusiast loved Alfa Romeos. He started the California Mille and became a major influence on the use and enjoyment of Mille Miglia eligible cars.
Martin Swig sold the car to Stephen Barney of Foreign Cars Italia (Greensboro, N.C.) in 1990. Since 1997, the car belongs to a long-term Alfa enthusiast with several historically significant vintage Alfa Romeos. The restoration, completed in 2005, warranted a place in the Pebble Beach Concours d’ Elegance (2005), where it was first shown, as well as several other concours. It was then actively campaigned in vintage racing events on the east and west coasts, including the Monterey Historics in 2009, 2012, 2014 and 2015, the Rolex Vintage Festival, Lime Rock Park in 2007 and 2008, the Portland Historics in 2009, at CSRG Sonoma in 2011, among other historic events.
This is a unique opportunity to purchase a rare, properly restored, well documented, competitive SZ1. A part of Alfa Romeo history, it is eligible for most historic events and rallies worldwide.
Awards
Equipment: Fire system, seat belt harnesses, alloy front disc brakes, Giulietta large rear brake drums, bolt in roll bar with removable front brace.
Spares: Sebring style side exhaust, magnesium wheels, steering wheel
