To Be OFFERED AT AUCTION WITHOUT RESERVEEstimate:
$60,000 - $80,000
- Daring styling; extremely rare, one of just 284 built
- 210 hp, 3.0-liter DOHC V-6 engine; five-speed manual
transmission
- Finished in Rosso Alfa over black leather
- Currently indicating 15,258 kms (~9,481 mi)
- Resided in Japan until July 2018
When Alfa Romeo and Carrozzeria Zagato revived the SZ, or Sprint
Zagato, name at the 1989 Geneva Salon, they did so in a dramatic
fashion. First in coupe form and later as a roadster (Roadster
Zagato, or RZ), the Type ES-30 SZ/RZ-which also counted Fiat as a
development partner-was based on the floor pan and drivetrain of
the Alfa Romeo 75. Its styling, however, was unlike anything else
available; initial design work was completed by Fiat's Robert
Opron, with Antonio Castellana finalizing the aggressive, angular
exterior. Zagato was responsible for assembling the cars. Notably,
with the exception of an aluminum alloy roof panel, the coupe's
bodywork was constructed of thermoplastic, injection-molded
composite.
After 1,036 SZ coupes were delivered, an open version, called the
RZ (for Roadster Zagato), followed. The Alfa 75-sourced, 3.0-liter
fuel-injected four-cam V-6 engine provided a potent 210 horsepower,
sent through a rear-mounted five-speed transaxle. The rally-tuned
suspension was fully independent in front, with a de Dion axle with
Watts linkage in the rear, lending excellent handling qualities.
The Zagato's four-wheel, 11-inch disc brakes could easily haul the
2,800-pound car down from its estimated 143 mph top speed. Unlike
the coupe, the RZ's interior received additional color matched
details-namely the door panels, revised center console, and
convertible top cover-panel.
This 1993 Alfa Romeo RZ on offer is the 130th produced between the
1992 and 1994 model years. Finished in Rossa Alfa over a black
leather interior, it is a nicely presented low-mileage example.
Recently sourced from Japan, it currently displays 15,258 kms
(~9,481 mi). Its set of optional 16-inch Speedline alloy wheels are
shod in fresh Pirelli P-Zero tires.
Completed on April 30, 1993, accompanying Japanese documentation
indicates that this chassis passed through the collections of four
owners between the date it was delivered (September 7, 1995) and
June 2014; nearly 13,500 kms were recorded during this interval.
More recently, this RZ was held by a Tokyo dealer between September
2015 and July 2018, whereupon it was acquired and imported to the
United States by the consignor.
While the styling of the SZ and RZ stirred some controversy when
the car was introduced, today it is considered very modern, and
these rare, luxuriously trimmed high-performance sports cars are
much sought after. This lot is accompanied by an owner's manual
with leather pouch, import documents and Japanese registration
records, spare wheel, two keys, jack, tools, and production
information from the Alfa Romeo historical museum.To view this car
and others currently consigned to this auction, please visit the RM
website at
rmsothebys.com/en/auctions/0520.
