1991 Alfa Romeo SZ

Alfa called it Il Mostro — the Monster — and for once the nickname was not marketing. The SZ has a wedge profile cut off abruptly behind the rear wheels, six square headlights stacked across the nose, and a composite body Zagato bonded together rather than welded. Nothing else from 1991 looks remotely like it.

This 1991 Alfa Romeo SZ is one of 1,036 examples produced across the model's three-year run. It was initially registered in Japan before being imported to the United States in 2016 and acquired by the current owner later that year. Finished in red with the model's signature gray roof over tan leather, it is powered by the 3.0-liter Busso V6 driving through a rear-mounted five-speed manual transaxle. The car is offered on dealer consignment at no reserve in Los Angeles, California, with a clean Carfax report and a Montana title.

Background

Debuting at the 1989 Geneva Motor Show, the SZ was the result of Alfa Romeo's Experimental Sportcar 3.0 Litre (ES30) project and recalled the Sprint and Sport Zagato competition cars of the 1950s. While designed in-house using computer-aided design and manufacturing systems, the car was assembled by Zagato using injection-molded composite bodywork over a chassis based on the Alfa Romeo 75.

Exterior

Every SZ was finished in Rosso Alfa with a contrasting gray roof, and all share the pronounced wedge shape, low ground clearance, high beltline, and tail end cut abruptly behind the rear wheels. Other details include six square headlights, side marker lights, Zagato fender badges, a rear spoiler, and a single oval-shaped exhaust finisher.

Wheels, Suspension & Brakes

Staggered-width 16" multi-piece alloy wheels wear 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 dampers along with rear-mounted inboard disc brakes. Work performed in June 2022 involved replacing the left control arm bushings and lower ball joint, the front brake rotors, the left-rear brake caliper, and the brake pads. The tail panel opens to reveal a temporary spare wheel and tire.

Interior

The bolstered bucket seats are upholstered in tan leather that extends to the ceiling and door panels, with debossed Zagato Design logotype on the headrests. Further appointments include air conditioning, power windows and door locks, a Kenwood CD stereo, and Sparco drilled pedals. Creasing is visible on the seating surfaces. The MOMO steering wheel fronts white-letter Veglia Borletti instrumentation consisting of a tachometer with a 6,500-rpm redline, a 280-km/h speedometer, a quartz clock, and centrally mounted auxiliary gauges. The six-digit mechanical odometer shows 74,000 kilometers, approximately 46,000 miles, roughly 1,000 of which were added under current ownership. The SZ identification plate aft of the shifter is missing.

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 207 horsepower in SZ specification. The drive belts were replaced in 2022 along with the spark plugs and fuel filter. Power reaches the rear wheels through a rear-mounted five-speed manual transaxle, and a Magnaflow muffler is fitted. The clutch master cylinder was replaced in 2022.

Documentation

The Carfax report is free of accidents or other reported damage from an initial entry in 2016.

Note: The vehicle has not been inspected by the California Bureau of Automotive Repair or Air Resources Board. Additional details including VIN, service records, and further photography will be provided to serious inquiries.