It’s the beginning of 1991, Dynasty is on TV, power dressing and shoulder pads are the real deal and Alfa Romeo hits the market with THIS. As one of the few Sprint Zagato to make it to our days, this beautiful red Alfa Romeo leaves an indelible mark from the first sight, with its very modest mileage (around 22,000 km), the straight silhouette from the 1970s’ Alfettas, stunningly preserved interiors and paintwork, and a limited production badge indicating n. 015 out of just 1,036 units!

After 12 months from Fiat’s acquisition of Alfa Romeo, the revolutionary SZ concept was publicly introduced for the first time in the Alfa Romeo stand at the 1989 Geneva Motor Show: as suggested by its nomenclature, this Sprint model was meant to update the essence of the Giulietta Sprint Zagato from the late ‘50s and ‘60s.

Available in Sprint and Roadster versions (or RZ), the latter produced in just 278 samples, the SZ was the result of the ambitious project named “ES30” (or “Experimental Sportcar 3-0-litre”), Alfa’s latest (and updated) effort to reaffirm its tradition as a RWD sports cars manufacturer, and it involved many technological innovations for the time: not only was its composite fibre bodywork revolutionary, but the SZ was the first in the industry to be produced using Computer-aided design and manufacturing (CAD/CAM) systems.

Housing the legendary V6 “Busso” engine block (able to produce more than 200 hp and 240 Nm of torque), the chassis was created to host electronic injection, three-way catalytic converters, 5-speed rear axle gearbox integrated with the differential, suspensions and brakes from the 75 1.8 Evolution. Not bad for a 1991 car, huh?

This SZ is finished in its original red paintwork with a contrasting grey roof; minor paint flaws have been reported, such as rock chips, located respectively on the front bumper (under the left headlight), and blistering on the hood’s intakes and front, which are nevertheless consistent with those of a 90s, finely preserved car. The seller also states that there’s a minor indentation just over the left Zagato badge, close to the front left wheel-arch.

The shiny 16-inch Speedline wheels are twinned with period-correct Yokohama A520 tyres, 225/50ZR16 for the rear and 205/55ZR16 for the front, which are reported to be in very good condition, with no sign of wear. Exterior badging includes Alfa Romeo emblems and the stylized Z of Zagato, the Milan-based coachbuilder who assembled every ES-30.

The interiors look essentially new, featuring sports seats, upholstered in tan leather over darker tan carpets.

The three-spoke steering wheel front a black dashboard with factory Veglia Borletti instrumentation, including a six-digit odometer that shows just over 22,000 Km, approximately 100 of which have been added by the current owner.

Mechanically, the 3.0-litre V6 is reportedly pushing 210hp to the rear wheels via a five-speed manual transaxle, mounted out back.

The seller reports that this Alfa was serviced last time during July 2003, when the dti This SZ allegedly starts in a key turn and runs smoothly, with no issues, given the very few kilometres it ran during the current ownership.

The purchase of this early-bird SZ will include its ownership documentation, original book set, maintenance records, original keys and an invaluable piece of Alfa Romeo’s palmarès.