1969 Alfa Romeo Junior Zagato R

2.1-Liter DOHC Inline 4-Cylinder Engine
Electronic Fuel Injection
Est 220bhp at 6,400rpm
5-Speed Manual Transmission
GTA-R Spec Independent Suspension
4-Wheel Power Disc Brakes

*Desirable Zagato R created by renowned UK-based marque specialist Alfaholics
*One of just three Zagato R examples made to date at considerable expense
*The Singer of the Alfa world according to motoring aficionado Chris Harris
*Beautifully presented cosmetics, with superb power and handling characteristics

THE ALFA ROMEO JUNIOR ZAGATO

One of the oldest and most respected of automotive design firms, Zagato was founded in Milan in 1919 by Ugo Zagato, who used techniques learned in the wartime aeronautics industry to create a series of lightweight competition cars. Alfa Romeo immediately realised the potential of Zagato's designs and thus commenced a fruitful collaboration that lasts to this day. Some of the 20th Century's most beautiful cars have been Zagato-bodied Alfa Romeos.

The creator of some of Carrozzeria Zagato's most memorable designs of the post-WW2 period - arguably its most productive - was Ercole Spada. Spada introduced the Alfa Romeo Giulia TZ's sawn-off tail and was also responsible for the Alfa Romeo Giulietta and 2600 SZs and the Junior Z, the latter being one of the last models developed under the stewardship of company founder, Ugo Zagato.

Based on the mechanicals of the 105-Series Giulia saloon, the Junior Z was introduced for 1970 in '1300' form before being upgraded with the 1,570cc engine in 1972. Lighter than the production models from which it was derived, despite – unusually for a Zagato design – having steel body panels rather than aluminum, the Junior Z was compact, nimble, aerodynamically efficient and fast. The 1,290cc twin-cam four producing 89bhp at 6,000rpm, enough to propel the sleek Z to a top speed of around 175km/h (109mph). The 1300 continued in production until October 1972, by which time 1,108 had been produced - enough to enable homologation in FIA Appendix J Group 3 - while a further 402 examples of the '1600' version were built up to 1975. All were left-hand drive.

THE MOTORCAR OFFERED

Offered here is not your average Alfa Romeo Junior Zagato, if there is such a thing considering the low production figures of these stylish cars. This very car is one of just three examples which to date has been fully customized to Zagato R specification by renowned UK-based Alfa Romeo specialists, Alfaholics. The work was done on special order by the consignor - a well-known Los Angeles-based collector and sports car driving enthusiast - who was looking for something unique, well-handling and powerful. The result is absolutely irresistible and extremely tastefully carried out, keeping the original Zagato styling characteristics intact, while fully upgrading the underpinnings and interior of the classic Junior Zagato.

The work was carried out by Alfaholics just a few years back, and started by the consignor supplying them a sound and healthy 1969 Alfa Romeo Junior Zagato, which they then disassembled right back to the Zagato bodyshell and rebuilt to largely GTA-R mechanical specs. A brutal 220 horsepower 2.1-Liter DOHC Alfa Romeo engine was fitted (looking very similar to the original power unit in the Junior Zagatos) fed through electronic GTA-R spec fuel injection with heritage throttle bodies & Motec M1 series ECU. Accompanied with the car though, is the original engine. A GTA-R clutch, flywheel and starter was fitted, and a GTA-R driveline package mounted, with a 0.79 5th gear conversion, limited slip differential and hollow half-shafts driving the rear wheels. A full tubular stainless steel exhaust system was fitted, and a GTA-R cooling package installed with built-in air conditioning condenser and fans. GTA-R suspension package was fitted, as was the GTA-R 6-pot brake package, where 7×15-inch GTA alloy wheel and Michelin tires were mounted to. A billet steering box casing was used, and GTA-R PCB and loom package fitted. Inside the powerful Alfa Junior Zagato R received a full leather interior is a lovely chocolate brown color with black accents and piping, working super well with the mustard yellow exterior body color of the car. GTA-R controls and billet air conditioning vents were fitted, topped by a leather wrapped sports steering wheel. Given the climate in Los Angeles, air conditioning was also high on the priority list, and was very appropriate done. This tasteful 'Outlaw' Alfa Romeo Junior Zagato was dubbed the Zagato R by the creators at Alfaholics, and one can start to imagine the cost of this project when looking at the quality of the work, and even more so when taking the car for a drive!

These charming Alfa Romeos, styled by arguably one of the greatest names in automotive design, rarely come to the market, and this example having gone through a unique transformation to reimagined specification by Alfaholics, is worthy of consideration by any Alfa Romeo or sports car enthusiast