One to Buy: ex-Martini & Rossi Racing Team 1961 Alfa Romeo Giulietta SZ Coda Tronca
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After Zagato had successfully re-bodied a small run of Giulietta Sprint Veloces into ‘SVZ’ trim (making them the most competitive under 1300cc GT racers around), Alfa Romeo commissioned the Milanese coachbuilder to create an official run which premiered at the Geneva Motor Show in March 1960.
In total, a little over 200 examples of the resultant Giulietta SZ were completed, the final circa 20% of which were updated with front disc brakes and slippery Kamm-tailed Coda Tronca bodywork that reflected the latest aerodynamic understanding.
Significantly, it was with two SZ Coda Tronca models that Italian drinks company Martini & Rossi took its first steps into motor racing sponsorship and one of those cars, chassis ‘00200’ will be heading to auction at RM Sotheby’s Monterey auction scheduled for August 15th and 16th.
Following completion in October 1961, chassis ‘00200’ (along with sister car chassis ‘00201’) was shipped to Alfa Romeo’s US distributor in Newark, New Jersey.
Emblazoned with ‘Martini & Rossi Racing Team’ script, chassis ‘00200’ made its competition debut at the 1962 Daytona 3 Hour World Sportscar Championship race where Paul Richards finished 26th overall and second in class (two positions behind team-mate Charlie Kolb).
Richards and Kolb then drove together at the Sebring 12 Hours where they were the last classified finishers in 37th. The car completed its trio of outings at US rounds of the ‘62 World Sportscar Championship with fifth overall and third in class for Richards at the Bridgehampton 400km.
More recently, following acquisition by the consigning owner in 2016, chassis ‘00200’ has been subject to a comprehensive restoration, since which time it has covered around 1000 miles.
