1993 Alfa Romeo RZ

There's nothing else on the road quite like it. The angular, uncompromising lines turn heads before the engine ever fires, and once it does, the open cockpit puts you right at the center of a rear-drive chassis built for a rally-tuned suspension and a V6 that revs like it means it. This is a car built to be driven with the top down and the road empty ahead of you — a rare, deliberate piece of design that never once tries to blend in.

This 1993 Alfa Romeo RZ was produced on April 30, 1993, as number 130 of 284 examples built across the model's three-year run. It was initially delivered in Japan, where it passed through several owners before being purchased by the current owner and imported to the United States in 2018. Finished in Rosso Alfa with a black convertible top, the car is powered by the 3.0-liter Busso V6 mated to a rear-mounted five-speed manual transaxle. It shows 17,000 kilometers, approximately 11,000 miles, and is offered on dealer consignment in Los Angeles, California, with a Montana title listing the car as a 1993 Alfa ES30.

Background

The Roadster Zagato debuted at the 1992 Paris Salon as an open-top version of the SZ, which had been designed in-house using computer-aided design and manufacturing systems and assembled by Zagato using injection-molded composite bodywork over a chassis based on the Alfa Romeo 75. While the RZ shared the pronounced wedge shape of the SZ, only the front fenders and trunk lid carried over. The RZ added revised sills, a raised front valance, and a twin-humped rear deck, the latter an homage to Zagato's earlier double-bubble roof styling.

Exterior

This example left the factory in Rosso Alfa and is equipped with a black soft top, six square headlights, side marker lights, Zagato fender badges, power-operated side mirrors, and a single oval exhaust outlet.

Wheels, Suspension & Brakes

Speedline 16" multi-piece alloy wheels are mounted with 205/55 front and 225/50 rear Pirelli Cinturato P7 tires. The suspension and brakes were carried over from the 75 1.8 Turbo Evolution competition car and feature driver-adjustable Koni dampers along with rear-mounted inboard disc brakes. The tail panel opens to reveal a temporary spare wheel and tire.

Interior

The bolstered bucket seats are upholstered in black leather that extends to the dash, door panel inserts, and center console, the last of which spans the full length of the cabin. Debossed Zagato Design logotype adorns the headrests, and further appointments include an Alpine cassette stereo, air conditioning, and power windows and door locks. An identification plate aft of the shifter denotes this car as number 130. The MOMO steering wheel fronts white-dial Veglia instrumentation consisting of a tachometer with a 6,500-rpm redline, a 280-km/h speedometer, a clock, and auxiliary gauges. The six-digit mechanical odometer shows 17,000 kilometers, approximately 11,000 miles, roughly 1,000 of which were added under current ownership.

Engine & Drivetrain

The 3.0-liter Busso V6 features an aluminum block, a single overhead camshaft for each cylinder bank, and Bosch fuel injection, factory rated at approximately 210 horsepower in RZ specification. Power reaches the rear wheels through a rear-mounted five-speed manual transaxle.

Provenance & Documentation

A specification sheet from Centro Documentazione Alfa Romeo notes production and delivery dates along with the colors and engine number. The current owner has kept this RZ as part of a collection of wedge-era designer cars, alongside examples such as the Alfa Romeo Montreal, Maserati Khamsin, Maserati Bora, and Ferrari 512. Coming from a design background himself, the owner has long been drawn to the RZ's unconventional styling, limited production, and history. The car is now offered on consignment as the owner consolidates his collection to make room for a garage upgrade.

The sale includes the owner's manual with its leather pouch, import documents and Japanese registration records, a spare wheel, two keys, a jack, tools, and production information sourced from the Alfa Romeo historical museum. This example was also featured in a review by Doug DeMuro on YouTube.

Note: Due to California emissions regulations, this vehicle must be sold to a dealer or an out-of-state resident. Chassis, engine, and serial numbers will be provided to serious inquiries.