Difference between revisions of "Alfa Romeo TZ"
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Revision as of 17:14, 22 February 2007
Alfa Romeo TZ
Alfa Romeo TZ2
Giulia Tubolare Zagato / TZ 2
Some automobiles generate stong feelings and emotions, close to love, because what is at stake does not relate to reason or to common sense. The Alfa-Romeo TZ2, more than scarce, so rare in effect that most enthusiasts have never seen one in their hole life, still lives intensely in the imaginary realm of fine racing automobiles, but also in the reality.
Of course, its incredible beauty seizes us first of all: this fusion between its relentless effectiveness and a kind of magnetic sensuality irradiates something obscure and irresistible.
We know that this car is almost too low, waiting to leap from the ground like a feline, that the best pencils of the XXth century, Elio Zagato and Ercole Spada, conceived in a state of grace, that its tubular frame, its glass fibre dress, its dual ignition engine, each part of it is above all and only intended for racing, and for battles without mercy – the TZ2 almost always won...
But its mystery, the mystic of the TZ2 remains intact. We also know that each cubic centimeter of this car was born from the talent and the work of the engineers Chiti, Chizzola, and other enthusiast masters of the Autodelta legend. But this car always strikes us first by its beautiful body, almost crushed on its four wheels, by its oval and timeless aerondynamically covered headlights, its free exhaust emerging from the sides, "la beauté du diable" TZ2 all of which will remain for us the mark of its identity.
Is it because its official racing life was very short ? The list of the TZ2’s victories is carved in the legend: this car simply won, in its class, all the races in which it took part in 1966: Sebring, Monza, Targa Florio, Nurburgring, Mugello, Enna.
The TZ2 was the state-of-the-art, period. In a time when competition was a matter of technical geniuses, talented ingeneers, impassionated technicians and pilots, and where computers or marketing quite simply did not exist, it came as a definitive masterwork.
Ultra light, collected and concise like the very best race cars of the period, it was conceived and built only for the Alfa Works Team (contrary to the TZ1, meant to be sold to privateers) and was driven to victory which was its irresistible destiny.
The very first TZ2 ever built, painted in bright orange (Monza April 23th 1965, picture Alfredo Zana)
The TZ2 exhibited at the Museo Storico Alfa-Romeo.
Administrative follow-up, almost non-existent at Autodelta in this period - focused on race results - , does not allow to establish the exact number of the few TZ2 that ever existed. Chassis numbers go in theory from 104 to 117, but at least half were modified TZ1 frames, others were destroyed or damaged. And finally all were sold, in parts or complete, to privateers by Autodelta.
The TZ2 differ from one to the other by various parts and body details, and incorporate some elements from the TZ1. The few ones still in existence are now out of reach and stay either in museums or are not affordable : the last auctioned TZ2 changed hands for approximately 820.000€, another was recenty estimated 1,65 M€ but didn't sell.
Some TZ2s were more or less damaged during races or practices, and a few have been reconstructed. The refabrication of period parts, in the true and authentic spirit of the period is indeed possible and even necessary to give back life to these wonders. Thus, the possibility of acquiring such a legendary car, incorporating period elements in conformity and restored or manufactured according to correct specifications, with the advice and guidance of the most qualified specialists, is a rare event.
The memorable and splendid double-cam Alfa-Romeo GTA straight-four, fitted with the correct dual ignition head, finds its place in the tubular frame equipped with the areodynamic body created at Autodelta in 1965. This is a car which exsudes history and memories, at first glance. It will make it possible to the owner of this jewel to dominate the situation in most competitions reserved for the historical vehicles.
