Book Review:
Alfa Romeo-Zagato SZ and TZ

By Pete Vack

The first time one handles the book, looks at the cover, checks the binding, glances at the table of contents, the number, relativity and quality of the photos, and pages back to find a list of serial numbers, it becomes clear that this volume is a worthwhile effort. Only the details remain in question, and in Marcello Minerbi's Alfa Romeo-Zagato SZ and TZ the details are amazing.

Nonetheless, like the Alfa S and T Zagatos it documents, the book is a slim and functional work, with only 193 pages, and a text which is, thankfully, both in Italian and English. Upfront, we can say that it lacks an index, a fault shared by far too many books and publishers in their quest to save pages. Despite these few shortcomings, Alfa Romeo-Zagato SZ and TZ is one of those rare books that will never leave your permanent collection, no matter what price it may bring on the current market (Pooks in London has a copy available for $270). No matter how heavy our bookshelves become, no matter how they sag in the middle, they will always hold a copy of Minerbi's now-classic book.

In the early 1980s, Minerbi was actively participating in European vintage car racing, primarily with Scuderia Portello. It seemed (and there was) a lot of misinformation about the post war Alfa 1300 and 1600 Zagatos. Minerbi, one of Italy's busiest journalists (Click here for bio) sought to rectify the issue. With the assistance of the late ex-Alfa engineer Giuseppe Busso, (Click here for Minerbi on Busso) he stayed put long enough to chronicle the Alfa Zagatos, beginning with the 1300 Svs, constructed by Zagato in 1956 at the request of wealthy amateur drivers, to the last Alfa TZ2, made in 1966.

Within those ten years, four distinct Zagato types were built; the SV, or Sprint Veloce Zagato, the Sprint Zagato, the Tubolare Zagato and the Tubolare Zagato 2 (TZ2).

The SVZ (right) was faster, lighter and more streamlined than the factory Sprint Coupe. It also cost a great deal to construct.

The original SVZs are described as ancestors of the SZ and TZ, and these strange and ultra-rare Zagatos are unfortunately not given the treatment accorded to the later cars. There are no serial numbers or histories provided, but this was the intent. Still, Minerbi gives us an interesting look at their development. The SVZ, with their Veloce engines tuned by Facetti, Conrero and others, came to the track with better aerodynamics and most importantly, 145 kg lighter than the factory Sprint Veloces, ending the domination of the steel Bertone bodied cars in the 1300 class.

This did not sit well with the factory. The result was two-fold; first, the development of the Sprint Speciale (Click here article on the Sprint Speciale) and secondly, when it became apparent that the Bertone-designed coupe would not be able to match the performance of the lightweight Zagato, the acceptance of Zagato as the bodybuilder of choice for Alfa's racing program, and the almost immediate development of the SZ, based on the same short wheelbase "121" chassis as provided for the SS.

With the chapters on the SZ, Minerbi really gets into his subject. The development, variations and construction techniques are eloquently covered in the text (in one of the better Italian to English translations) as well as with period black-and-white photos. These are particularly excellent in the case of the SZ, and great for restoration guides.

Not only is the translation excellent, but Minerbi writes as if he was actually there at the time or personally knew all of the engineers at Alfa. His text is flowing, interesting, and easy to read. You'll find that you have read the history to the last page, only to go back and carefully study the diagrams, photos, and abundant tech sheets.

Zagato's first attempt at the Tubolare 1600 was built as a spider. The coupe form was deemed far better for racing.

Very few people realized that the immortal TZ was conceived as an open sports racer, but Minerbi presents this interesting fact with photos from Zagato. We are all happier that the final result was a tight, graceful, efficient coupe in the grand Italian style. Minerbi interviewed Alfa Engineer Giuseppe Busso in depth and quotes him throughout the chapters on the TZ and TZ2, from the initial concept, to final body design, to the technical specifications and changes which resulted from testing and racing.

Minerbi covered the entire subject range of the SZ and Tzs by constructing clear chapters: The arrival of the SZ; The technology of the SZ; The Szs on the race track; The start of the TZ; The technology of the TZ1 and TZ2; The TZ1 and TZ2 on the race track. Additional chapters include the one-off show cars based on the Tzs, vintage racing a TZ, and finally, a registry of all SZs and TZs.

Minerbi's book is full of great detail, such as this series of photos which illustrate the various differences in the TZ1 cars.

Easy to see, then, why the book was so useful then and so valuable now. Minerbi agrees. "The book is valuable because it was accurate, with much information written with the data and recollections of Busso. And of course, because it is sold out and it is very difficult to find!"

Twenty one years have gone by, and it is time now for an updated version of the SZ book. Minerbi is working on the second edition now. The first edition did not have color photos, and Minerbi says the new book will have color plates. As noted above, we'd like to see more information on the early SVZs, and Minerbi also says that is forthcoming. Updating the serial numbers and current owners may be problematic to some degree. Minerbi told us that "The serial number history will be updated with more information on the cars and some errors will be eliminated. But due to privacy laws in Italy we can't publish the names of the present owners".

As usual, VeloceToday will keep our readers informed and provide a review on Minerbi's latest edition when published.