Tuesday 3rd May 2011

Zagato TZ3 Stradale Unveiled

Alfa centenary celebration continued with 9 new Zagato road cars

---

Zagato is following up its one-off TZ3 Corsa 'track car' with a series of 9 road-going machines badged the TZ3 Stradale.

While the Alfa 8C Competizione V8 powered Corsa version is based on a mono shell carbon fibre chassis, coupled with a tubular frame and a hand beaten lightweight aluminium body, the new Stradale is based on the Viper ACR mechanical chassis with a bespoke carbon fibre body - and comes complete with the Viper's 8.4 litre V10.

The TZ3 Corsa was commissioned by the Alfa Romeo Zagato collector Martin Kapp, and now Zagato says the first TZ3 Stradale has been delivered to the US Alfa Romeo and Zagato collector Eric King.

TZ3 Stradales number two and three will be delivered in Japan and Europe, they add, but without naming names. As these terrific pictures illustrate, the cars continue Zagato's illustrious history of building Kamm-tailed Alfa GTs.

[robm3]

Lovely...but beauty is only skin deep, it's a Chrysler underneath no?

For me that feels a little awkward.

[torque torque]

Stunning...

[Edit-Undo]

Oh god, yes please!

[Crusoe]

agree, putting an alfa style body on a viper doesn't make it an alfa.

[don logan]

WOW!

I never thought that I would see "Alfas" like this again!

[Boba Fret]

robm3 said:

Lovely...but beauty is only skin deep, it's a Chrysler underneath no?

For me that feels a little awkward.

+1

[CABBYBROWN]

robm3 said:

Lovely...but beauty is only skin deep, it's a Chrysler underneath no?

For me that feels a little awkward.

OK, for the purists a Chrysler engine might not be ideal (a Ferrari V8 would definitely have been better!), but would you really not want one because it has an 8.4 litre V10...?

[george h]

CABBYBROWN said:

OK, for the purists a Chrysler engine might not be ideal (a Ferrari V8 would definitely have been better!), but would you really not want one because it has an 8.4 litre V10...?

It would put me off it, such a shame as well because it looks great

[Zod]

They look like variations on the DB7 Zagato with an Alfa front end.

[robm3]

CABBYBROWN said:

robm3 said:

Lovely...but beauty is only skin deep, it's a Chrysler underneath no?

For me that feels a little awkward.

OK, for the purists a Chrysler engine might not be ideal (a Ferrari V8 would definitely have been better!), but would you really not want one because it has an 8.4 litre V10...?

Oh, I'd happily feel awkward driving it around

But for me it comes down to this:

Alfa engineers take the Viper block and add their internals, head design, balance etc.. and then breath magic on the chassis by upgrading/replacing various components - Then I'm onboard 100%

VS

Plastic Alfa Cam cover put on top of Viper Engine - Nope, not for me.

[Chris71]

Hint of Bristol Fighter in there I reckon...

[Wardy76]

Pure automotive art. Endy story.

[BlueMR2]

Chris71 said:

Hint of Bristol Fighter in there I reckon...

Its a pair of gullwing doors and a badge a away from being one..

[Roberty]

Best use of a Viper since the Le Mans racers.

BEAUTIFUL

[hornetrider]

Chris71 said:

Hint of Bristol Fighter in there I reckon...

Zagato and Alfa - on the face of it should be loveliness. However, the proportions in the side elevation look all wrong to me.

[cookie1600]

I'm a bit lost here. The original TZ3 with Alfa engine I get and admire. The Stradale version has neither Alfa engine or chassis, it has a nice bespoke body but with more in common with the Viper donor than anything Alfa, bar the badges?

So if I got Zagato to rebody a high end Audi or VW , could I call it a Zagato Bugatti or Bentley Stradale?

[Draexin]

Chassis: Chrysler
Engine: Chrysler
Body: Zagato
Built by: Zagato
Commisioned by: Private collector

So what does this (albeit pretty) car have to do with Alfa again?

[robsco]

I'll have the Corsa please. The Viper based Stradale doesn't appeal to me at all.

[gforceg]

Crusoe said:

agree, putting an alfa style body on a viper doesn't make it an alfa.

True, but it does make it a Zagato. (It's called the Zagato TZ3 Stradale).

btw did I mention I love Zagato bodied Alfas (and the mental DB7 Zagato)?

[Richard A]

The overhead shot of the four is interesting... the two newbies are very lardy compared to the svelte originals.

All this big, heavy 21st century stuff leaves me a bit cold, TBH.