Description
Unique and chic reimagined alloy panelled Zagato with 2 litre fast road motor, £50k spent and guaranteed to put a smile on your face!
We are selling this car on consignment.
History of this car
We sold this car to the current owner in 2022 and due to a change of plans he has requested we assist in finding a new home for this special Alfa.
This 1300 Junior Z chassis AR1800312 was sold new in Pisano, northern Italy on 8th July 1970. It was delivered in silver with a black interior. Being impressed by the structural condition of the car and being a rare early part alloy panelled example we purchased it from a long term owner in Rome and imported it to the UK in 2015. The car was then metallic green (pictures on file) and had been fitted with a 2 litre GTV engine.
The 1300 Junior Z has a shorter wheelbase than other 105 series Alfas and is widely recognised as being the best handling. We registered the car in the UK and sold the Zagato to a dedicated new owner who has spent a fortune on making this Zagato one of the fastest around with a fantastic high spec 2 litre motor, tractable enough for town work and touring but also superbly torquey and high revving with lots of Alfaholics goodies.
Being the lightest of the breed it is sensational to drive with an estimated 170hp motor in a car that weighs about 850kgs. Our car has been regularly used and enjoyed accruing over 35, 000 klms since importation.
Our Zagato has also been upgraded cosmetically with Campagnolo mag alloy wheels, 1600 Junior Z bumpers to replace the less attractive original 1300 items, and a rare 1600 Junior Z Hellebore wood steering wheel. The colour, whilst not being the original, is a 1300 Junior Z palette hue and has been subject to a bare metal repainting; the car has also been retrimmed in leather.
Mechanicals
In 2018, after a successful tour to Sicily, a mechanical restoration was embarked upon, including sourcing a 30k from new donor 2 litre motor with a fast road build in mind as follows:
Engine stripped and vapour blasting of all casings then completely rebuilt with higher 10. 5:1 compression, new liners, new Cosworth forged pistons, Carrillo forged rods (piston/ rod assemblies all perfectly balanced), ported head, big valves with reduced stems, shortened guides, Kent Cams racing springs (spring rates measured and paired), titanium spring retainers, fast road 290 degree 12mm lift cams, new three angle valve seats, Alfaholics solid carb mounts, new Weber 45dcoe carburettors, GTA angled trumpets (NB: filtration socks removed for the photo shoot), and a tubular exhaust manifold. Crankshaft is OE spec, just polished, perfect oil pump. Alfaholics lightweight flywheel and race clutch fitted, whole rotating assembly dynamically balanced. Of course all new chains and Spesso race head gasket fitted, new water pump, a new sump pan was added and crackle finished cam covers as a finishing touch.
A 123 Bluetooth distributor was installed, lightweight high output alternator, front mounted oil cooler, lightweight front pulley installed, recored radiator, all new hosing, cabling grommets etc.
In addition the front suspension has been gone through with ball joint replacement, a propshaft overhaul with new couplings and bearings, steering overhaul with Alfaholics billet alloy steering box and rebuilt internals.
To match the increased power the Zagato has Sport drilled front brake disc replacement, with larger GTV6 calipers and a new Bendix servo.
The exhaust is a big bore stainless system and all 4 Campagnolo mag wheels were hand refinished in satin silver, with new centres and decals and are well shod with in date Pirelli Cinturato tyres.
Around 5, 000 klms completed since the engine build so it’s nicely run-in today, and an advisory free MOT runs until August 2023.
Body
This was already a rust free example and in 2021 had over £20, 000 spent for a photo documented windows out bare metal repaint in champagne metallic (a Junior Z official colour), a new windscreen and all new body sealing rubbers, “unobtanium” NOS 1600 Junior Z front and rear bumpers were fitted at this time. A new fuel tank was fabricated, new badges, new headlight cover plexis and NOS door handles (these, again, are unfindable) were installed. The paint finish is superb with just a few tiny stone chips to note.
Waxoil rust proofed throughout, and yes, of course the rear hatch cracks open electrically for fresh air on the move.
Interior
A new headlining has been fitted in the original material, new bound carpets and OE rubber overmats made, gorgeous maronne Connolly leather (two hides) retrim to the unique to Junior Z seats and door cards. Restored Hellebore steering wheel was also fitted, a 1600 Junior Z item again. New static type seat belts. Period radio/ tape player fitted (not functioning). All gauges work.
Boot has the spare and the factory jack.
Summary
Gordon Murray owns a Junior Z and commissioned an Alfaholics Zagato-R. Ours is a unique blend of the lighter and shorter 1300 with the nicer bumpers and steering wheel of the 1600 Junior Z with a hot 2 litre motor; a genuinely unrepeatable opportunity.
The car comes with a large history file.
E&OE
