Alfa Romeo Giulia TZ – The Little Tubular Masterpiece
🏎️ The Alfa Romeo Giulia TZ — a name that still makes enthusiasts stop and stare.
Built between 1963 and 1965, the Giulia TZ (Tubolare Zagato) is Alfa Romeo's homologation special for the FIA GT class. Only 112 TZ1s and 12 TZ2s were ever hand-built. Each one was a purpose-built racing machine.
🔧 Engineering
The Tubolare name refers to its tubular spaceframe chassis — a steel lattice weighing just 92 kg (203 lb), offering immense rigidity with minimal weight.
| Spec | TZ1 | TZ2 |
|---|---|---|
| Engine | 1,570 cc DOHC inline-4 | 1,570 cc DOHC twin-plug |
| Power | 112 hp (road) / ~160 hp (race) | ~170 hp |
| Weight | 660 kg (1,455 lb) | 620 kg (1,370 lb) |
| Top speed | 215 km/h (134 mph) | 245 km/h (152 mph) |
| Transmission | 5-speed manual | 5-speed manual |
The engine was tilted 20 degrees to fit under the impossibly low bonnet. The rear brakes were mounted inboard on the differential — a prototype trick to slash unsprung weight.
🎨 The Zagato Touch
Designed by a 23-year-old Ercole Spada, who had just finished the Aston Martin DB4 GT Zagato and was given only seven months to complete the TZ. The result is a masterclass in aerodynamics:
The iconic Kammback tail was developed in collaboration with Wunibald Kamm himself.
🏆 Racing Pedigree
The TZ debuted with a crushing 1-2-3-4 class sweep at the 1963 Coppa FISA at Monza. It went on to win its class at:
- 12 Hours of Sebring 🏁
- Targa Florio 🏁
- Nürburgring 1000 km 🏁
- 24 Hours of Le Mans 🏁
- Tour de France Automobile 🏁
- Coupe des Alpes 🏁
- Tour de Corse 🏁
💰 Today
The Giulia TZ is one of the most coveted collector Alfas. Recent auction sales range from $885,000 to over $1.2 million.
A reminder of what happens when brilliant engineering meets artful design — and what a small, focused team operating on a tight budget could achieve in motorsport's golden era.