Review by Pete Vack
Read Review of Book 1: Berlina
Read Review of Book 2: RHD Alfas
Review by Pete Vack
At only 192 pages, this is one of the slimmer volumes of Patrick Dasse’s set of books on the Alfa Romeo 105 series, and the third book we have reviewed. It covers one of the rarest and most important of the Alfa 105 series, a car that heralded the end of an era at Alfa’s long-time partner, Zagato. (read article).
It could also be considered the last of the 105s, and it was still in production when the first 1.8 Alfetta sedans were introduced in 1972. And the Junior Zagato is Ercole Spada’s favorite, as the design influenced the Alfa Romeo design theme for many years to come, even though practiced by Giorgetto Giugiaro rather than Spada at Zagato.
As Dasse points out, the 105 series delivered ‘production figures unprecedented in the history of Alfa Romeo, reaching out for the magical figure of 100,000 cars per year. Alfa could afford to take a risk with a small production coupe, and chose Zagato to create it. From 1970 to 1975, 1108 105.93 Alfa 1300 Juniors were constructed and 402 Tipo 115.24 1600 Juniors. None were imported to the U.S. unless via the gray market, so they are ultra-rare here.
The book addresses the prototype, the pre-production cars, the 1300 Junior as a Tipo 105 series and the 1600 version, which was built on the Alfa 115 chassis. As per his other volumes, Dasse addresses the differences in detail with many photos. Whether part of the entire collection of books, (by far the best bet), or as an individual volume, it is a worthwhile addition to any Alfa Romeo library; needless to say if one owns or is looking to own a Junior Zagato, this book is an absolute must.
This book focuses exclusively on the Tipo 105.93 Junior Z and the Tipo 115.24 1600 Junior Z. The 192 pages contain solely contemporary photographs, which for the most part are published here for the first time, documenting the two models. The documentation covers both of the models produced by Alfa Romeo between 1970 and 1975. Also included is information concerning the vehicle identification numbers and production numbers of the two models.
192 pages, 126 black and white photographs and 53 colour photographs.
Size: 25,7 x 22,9 cm
Weight: 1,1 kg
Language: English – German
Author: Patrick Dasse
ISBN 978-3-87166-196-9
59 Euros, Free shipping within Germany.
Order here: https://dingwort-verlag.de/alfa-romeo/12/alfa-romeo-junior-z?c=5
Turin Auto Show, October 1969 as the Junior Z was introduced on the Alfa stand.
The prototype Junior is shown at the Zagato factory at Terrazzano di Rho, with Gianni and Elio Zagato supervising the finishing details.
An unusual view of the Junior Z. This was the pr production model and the bumpers were not yet finalized.
A detail shot showing the removal of the plexiglass to change and align the lights.
Zagato interiors were always on the light side, to save weight. With the change to an all steel body, weight became secondary to a properly designed door.
Not much room for luggage in the rear, but note the box covering the motor that allowed the hatch to open a few inches for increase air flow through the car.
The 1600 Junior was a hanging pedal car, with a wooden steering wheel replacing the 1300’s two spoke wheel.
A side view of the 1300 Junior. It remains a well proportioned and very attractive car, even after a half century.
A white 1600. Note the slightly longer rear section behind the wheel. The added 100 mm did not improve on the looks.
Styling inspiration for the first generation Honda CRX?
I had a 1300 bought new in ’72??? and brought over on the rafaello; quite a few folks took cars both ways in those better days! bought a 1600 from Franco macri which had obviously been in a rear accident–the z was upside down and the car went down the road crabwise; my license read ‘qsimodo’ before Paul Spruell fixed everything. both wonderful cars; I ran the red 1600 at an elkhart vintage race in the mid-’80s
I drove one soon after launch in the Modena-Maranello district and fell for it big time. Until I got to know the Stratos I reckoned it the most agile car I had even driven. Why don’t I have one? Well…there’s not enough room just now.