1970 Alfa Romeo 1300 Junior Zagato

In the late sixties Italy's progressive road tax system meant that it was Alfa's 1300 engined cars that were leading the way in the Company's sales. Bertone's take on a coupe derivative of the 105 Series Giulia platform is well known to fans of road cars and motorsport of the era. but less so Zagato's.

To capitalise on the competition success of the SZ. TZ1 and TZ2. Zagato was briefed to design a more exclusive GT car based on 105 Series mechanicals. With Bertone's effort to beat. the Carrozzeria's principal stylist. Ercole Spada. started with the shorter platform of the Pininfarina Spider in order to improve handling characteristics. With no uprating of the 1300 engine planned. Zagato applied the experience of decades in maximising aerodynamic efficiency and saving weight.

The resulting Junior Z is brimming with the flair of design that makes Zagato's creations so desirable to collectors. We can see the influence of the TZ in the Kamm tail. the effectiveness of its aerodynamics meaning that fumes are not sucked into the cabin through the innovative rear hatch that can be electronically opened by 10cm to improve ventilation. Other drag beating details include the plexiglass covered small area nose. and the lipped sections of the bonnet where it meets the windscreen wipers. The combination of purposeful wedge with the elegance of the window pillars and expansive glass area is particularly pleasing.

With just over 1. 00 of the 1300 engined cars built. and considerably less still in existence. this car offers the increasingly unaffordable ownership of a limited production Zagato. combining it with all the zest of driving experience and availability of mechanical parts that make the 105 Series Alfas such great buys. Good ones do not come to the market often.

Reputed to have been restored in the mid 1990s by renowned Zagato specialist Carrozzeria Galbiati. this stunning LHD Junior Z formed part of the Gabriella Ricci collection in Italy from 1989 through 2003. It then joined another Italian collection and remained there until recently. Having not been on the road in some time it is being re-commissioned currently and will be sold with a fresh MOT and UK registration.

Condition overall is best described as mellowed older restoration. Done to a high standard it remains in very good order. corrosion free and displays just 1. 30kms on the odometer which we assume to reflect the distance covered since the restoration.

http://www. markdonaldson. com/forsale/alfa-romeo-1300-junior-zagato

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