The Story Of The Awesome Alfa Romeo SZ and RZ

[@matirs342]

A very polarizing design, some people like myself think it looks awesome while others are wrong haha. It has always been one of my favourite Alfas. Great insight into it's story Matteo, I never knew the Proteo was planned for production. Such a lost opportunity for Alfa (yet another). Ps: The SZ has the best looking front end of any Alfa, period.

[@gearhead9828]

Iconic car, but the nickname says it all. Thank you so much for another interesting video.

[@hanspeeters3246]

Reading through the comments I seem to be part of a minority who absolutely loves the design of the SZ. But whether you hate or love the design, you can't deny that it's a car with loads of character. Having had the pleasure of being a passenger in it a few times, I must admit that it had some real supercar vibes to it. Much more than what the rather modest performance specs made you expect.

[@studiocalder818]

Well, judging by the likes you have received, many think like you and us 😉. Also for me it is beautiful and expresses well the concept of "handmade following the relationship between form / function". You tested it as a passenger, if you were in Italy I would be happy to let you drive mine. I've been in love with it for 22 years.

[@hanspeeters3246]

@@studiocalder818 Provincia di Modena! 🙂 Sarebbe bello..

[@studiocalder818]

@@hanspeeters3246 Will be a pleasure. We can meet on a weekend. Parma

[@65SATisfaction]

@@studiocalder818 .. you are a generous and true Alfa enthusiast! .. I'll trade you a drive in your SZ when I visit Italy next summer, for a drive in your choice of our Bora or Khamsin when you visit New York... :-)

[@studiocalder818]

@@65SATisfaction 👍🏻 Get in touch when you come

[@richardvandervoort]

Worked in my spare time for an Alfa Romeo dealer when this hit the showroom floor, I loved it. Such a cool car but no way I could afford it. Still love it today and still can't afford it, sadly.

[@Pat_RickX]

SZ !!! I' m flashed. The swedish brochure of the SZ is a highlight of my collection of Alfa Romeo brochures. SZ/RZ are still very underrated, although prices go high. Thank you for the video, Matteo. Sempre Alfa.

[@gaetanoflorio6277]

The first time I saw the SZ in Australia, I fell in love with it. With its quirky style and design wasn't a hit with all but for me, I knew it would beco.e a classic. Today, they demand $150k in Australia so beyond my reach but would definately love to own one one day. Great story again Matteo 👍🇬🇸🇮🇹

[@andrewmoorhouse687]

Ciao Matteo. I hope you are well my friend. Many thanks again for your guided tour of the Turin Car Museum. It was very kind of you to spare the time and a real pleasure for both of us meeting you. I well remember that, looks apart, these were praised for their handling by the car magazines of the day, but a relatively modest amount of power, high cost and those looks meant many couldn’t give it their wholehearted support. I’ve seen one at a recent classic car show here in the U.K. in red and tan and, despite those panel gaps, brutal wedge and all, it looked absolutely gorgeous!

[@Matteo_Licata]

It's been a pleasure to meet you too! All SZs left the factory in red and tan, except a black-on-black one made for Andrea Zagato, the son of Elio Zagato. These are the perks of being the boss' son :)

[@MicrobyteAlan]

beautiful cars, interesting story Thanks.

[@Matteo_Licata]

Not many people call these "beautiful," but they sure have bags of character and charm. When new, Alfa couldn't give them away, but are being rediscovered now as classics.

[@studiocalder818]

@@Matteo_Licata To tell the truth, all production was fully booked at the presentation, but the subsequent economic crisis reduced 50% orders

[@tamasszabo8824]

Loved the SZ and the RZ when those were unveiled! Reminds me a bit of the Aston Martin V8 Zagato.

[@simonhodgetts6530]

Yes, me too!

[@portnaluinge]

I always had a soft spot for Il Mostro. I used to see one regularly, in seemingly daily use, not too long after launch. While you'd never call in pretty, it had a chunky appeal that reminded me of a high-end football boot. It made a really fun noise as well. You're right about those panel gaps though - I've seen cheap British kit cars with better fitting panel work.

[@stephenphillips8956]

Thanks for this fabulous video with the long, lingering camera angles that create the never-ending question. The more you look at the … thing?… the more you are drawn in. One could stare at it forever. More questions arise the more you look. I covered the rear with my hand and just looked at the side profile of the front end & screen. Its a hard car to love so I tried my best

[@Siccher]

Remember a Saturday in a summer 10-15 years ago when I was working as a postman when a red SZ drove past me. What a rare and special sight that was... And it was in Norway of all places

[@sainta2667]

Classic, beautiful, edgy and contemporary , such a landmark in Alfa Romeo design , almost bought an RZ 25 years ago in yellow and still regret it until this day. My absolute dream car

[@studiocalder818]

I bought a SZ 22 years ago! At the time in Italy it was considered an obsolete second-hand sports car, so I bought it in the period of its minimum value. Shortly thereafter, the Japanese buying rush began

[@sainta2667]

@@studiocalder818 I could have bought mine for 30k euro, with only 6000km, now they want 90k at least

[@studiocalder818]

@@sainta2667 Indeed a missed opportunity: you have been an unbeliever

[@sainta2667]

@@studiocalder818 :-) No I was a believer , its just that I had two other great Italian art pieces in my Garage (Maserati Ghibili and a Ferrari 348 Spider) ..

[@martinclapton2724]

Very much , as we say in the UK , as a “Marmite” car. You either love it or hate it , very few cars have been so strongly divided in opinion of its looks. I suppose this has now helped it in some respects as it makes it that much more desirable now, as owners of any car love talking about their own car ! When it came out I absolutely loved it as an extremely bold and brave design, but also as it was an Alfa. I was used to friends questioning me why I loved Alfas , even as there so called square boxy designs for the saloons of the 1960s and 1970s , did not appeal to their tastes, perhaps they didn’t understand! So perhaps I’ve become thicker skinned to it all! No , still stand by that now, loved this car , loved the video, keep them coming, Matteo

[@andreasausmuc]

What a gorgeous video for a gorgeous vehicle. Thank you very much for all your work!

[@Matteo_Licata]

Glad you like it! Thank you!

[@yiorgos272]

A design that looks positively fugly in photos but not so in the flesh. The glasswork is brilliant as is the (upper half of) the front, with the possible exclusion of the louvres. Worst part the combination of high waist line and relatively small (rear) wheels. I love it ....

[@studiocalder818]

Aristos

[@otomobilmece]

That's amazing. Faboulous style. Alfa SZ and RZ...Difficult to choice...❤ when you are Alfista...😁👍

[@alberto_davoli]

congratulations for the video ... when you publish the one on the Alfa Romeo Canguro prototype? Thanks!

[@Matteo_Licata]

I’m not against doing a video about the Canguro, but I got zero footage of it, so it’s going to have to wait…

[@alberto_davoli]

@@Matteo_Licata do not worry ... I am sure you will find the necessary material to make a nice video on the Bertone Canguro .... thanks and good job!

[@JK061996]

Now we want a video of the Lancia Hyena too :)

[@Matteo_Licata]

That would be great, but the chances of filming one are slim!

[@rabit818]

Intriguing design, I love it. The convertible is definitely the one to have. Panel gaps lol

[@benzinapaul7416]

It has to be the Coupe, the roofline of the SZ is so beautiful, without this the RZ just looks too brutal

[@robertmenghini.Lambomad]

Amo le tue video!

[@Matteo_Licata]

Thank you!!!

[@kahumike]

if nothing else it's a very polarizing design, there's no ambivalence or model ground with it. I really like them, not because they're beautiful (because they're not) but because they're so radical even today, and somehow the design just works.

[@studiocalder818]

Il disegno funziona molto bene, secondo il rapporto forma / funzione

[@RagnoRosso]

I have a dream! To own a SZ or RZ! I have a dream...

[@C64SX]

Loved the cute little Monster since it was presented to the public

[@zubairhaffejee1707]

This was and is the nicest body that clothed the jewel like 12v 3.0 V6 Busso 👌👌👌🇮🇹. I was thinking of an SZ earlier today😊, I asked myself if I'd have an SZ or RZ, I told myself SZ because of better rigidity and it would be a bit more sporty to drive!. Then I started thinking of a Lancia Hyena 🤤🤤🤤 but yeah, it's a story for another time😁🤗🤗

[@Matteo_Licata]

The Hyena actually looked rather nice, and I’d love to film one for the channel. But, with about 20 made, that’s rather unlikely. I have seen a couple at shows over the years, though.

[@zubairhaffejee1707]

@@Matteo_Licata That would really be awesome if you could find one for an awesome channel like this😊, I know you can and if you do, I'd put myself in relaxation mode and just feast my eyes with eye candy in the form of that Hyena, well Lancia Hyena 😁. Nothing like hearing and seeing an Italian (Matteo) describing an Italian(Lancia Hyena) 🇮🇹😎👌👌

[@peterkleinveld9705]

Ghidella was the last true car man at the helm of the Fiat group. When Ghidella lost the internal fight with Romiti and left the Fiat Group it was a huge loss which they never recovered from.

[@Matteo_Licata]

Losing Ghidella was one of Gianni Agnelli's worst decisions, yes indeed.

[@simonelliott5956]

Absolutely stunning cars, had the pleasure of working on a few back when they were new. Autodelta Services in the UK used to do a very impressive 3.5 litre conversion, which gave the car the power it always needed, they even converted one to right hand drive.

[@Matteo_Licata]

I didn’t know that. I wonder how the transaxle’s rubber couplings coped with the added power though

[@simonelliott5956]

@@Matteo_Licata They used to up-rate them, I had a similar set up on my 75 that they did cams etc on. They were fabulous cars.

[@RapideWombaticus]

I have always loved your uploads. It isn't hard when Alfa Romeo is my favourite Marque of all Time lol 😂 I'll be in Italy next year - perhaps I should email you and we could have coffee? Keep up the good work!

[@Matteo_Licata]

Thank you very much for your appreciation! Yes, I try to meet viewers and fans of the channel whenever the chance presents itself, so feel free to write me when you’ll be visiting Italy and we’ll see how we can arrange a meeting 👍

[@MLC...]

Zagato RZ. The only car that I really desire that is honestly not beautiful to me. Oh how I want one. Thank you for an interesting story on these cars.

[@Matteo_Licata]

I feel the same: I don't like this car and, as a former automobile designer, all the flaws in its shape are even more striking to my eyes. Yet I'd still get one! Only Alfa Romeo...

[@kevmagill5163]

I'd rather have had the Proteo....😊...but the first time I ever saw an SZ, I was intrigued...in coupe form it is a brutal design that invokes strength, solidity and power...it has actually aged quite well, perhaps why people are starting to notice this unique Alfa/Zagato coupe.

[@Matteo_Licata]

The SZ/RZ have indeed come of age now, with rising demand and prices. However, I agree with you that we'd all been better off with the Proteo rather than the SZ!

[@simonhodgetts6530]

It’s very much a Marmite car (it’s a British saying, for those elsewhere - it means you either love it or hate it). As a halo car, and a means to provide a talking point for Alfa Romeo, it hit the bullseye. I always liked it a lot - from what I remember, the motoring press liked it too. It’s not a pretty car by any means, but it’ll never be mistaken for anything else!

[@Matteo_Licata]

Indeed. The whole point was to generate a buzz, and it certainly did, given we're still talking about it 30 years later :)

[@trroland1248]

Flawed, yet brilliant! 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻

[@Matteo_Licata]

Alfa in a nutshell :)

[@brunotulliani]

I had the good fortune to see one in a Ferrari Dealership here in Montreal. Everything you said is absolutely spot on. It has a beautiful design but the workmanship was horrible. I lifted the front bonnet to see the engine and it was extremely heavy for a "composite" panel. Thank-you again.

[@Matteo_Licata]

I didn't know one ended up in Canada too! Yes, the front bonnet is a thick, heavily reinforced panel that weighs a ton, despite its composition!

[@studiocalder818]

The heavy bonnet was a design choice to keep the attitude neutral at high speeds (together with the wing), so much so that at 240 km / h you drive with two fingers pointing to the steering wheel and the nose does not raise an cm. It would have been enough to use the fiberglass shell without the modar component to create the thicknesses. I wish you have the chance to drive it

[@peterjanvanbijnen226]

A am an real mercedes man but what are those alfas beutifull

[@mikesage9544]

Yes they are underpowered. Yes they arrived at the wrong time. And yes, they were misunderstood. I loved it then as I love it now. Was close to swapping my Integrale for one at the Fiat dealer. Back then..... I am no Alfa lover I admit. But, what a statement!!! I would urge anyone interested to watch the test video from a Mr Metcalf. Now off to check if Sign D.C. has tested one...... Another mille grazie from the Forest of Blackness

[@jackwood2328]

Nice work again!

[@Matteo_Licata]

Thank you! Cheers!

[@ThePhilosopher01]

"Panel gaps you could walk through" 😂😂

[@BojanBojovic]

Alfa is the brand with the most new eras in its history. :) I find this design incredible. Some say it is not pretty, but not every design needs to be pretty in my opinion, at least not in a feminine way.

[@paullacey2999]

Oh boy,Ive waited a long time for this one.👏👏👏My favourite Alfa Romeo,but then theres a few....I did own a Matchbox one🤣Thats the closest I will get to having one I suppose...

[@Matteo_Licata]

I have been wanting to tell this story for a while, but it's finally been made possible by Alfa's museum parking them in the lobby: I was there for researching for my future Alfa 90 book, and grabbed the chance to film these "beauties" after lunch break :)

[@paullacey2999]

@@Matteo_Licata Im glad you did Matteo,worth the wait👍

[@elioboezio7107]

The "Proteo" did - sort of - make it into production as the last iteration of the GTV. But with only two "headlight holes" per side, not three!

[@bundy26]

That 75 IMSA at 3:30 is so sexy

[@Matteo_Licata]

It is! Looks really badass

[@BanjoLuke1]

This strange plastic pig was a sort of dream to me as a young adult. It was rarer than the poo of a rocking horse. There was an Alfa dealer not far from Notting Hill and one would occasionally see an SZ in the side roads behind the workshop. It was there that I saw the only RZ I ever saw in the UK. The only time I saw an SZ on the move at speed was approaching Brands Hatch for some bike racing, not long after the launch. It was like seeing a unicorn. I have to say I find it a very ugly car. It is almost hideous. But I would simply love to own one and drive one. I cannot explain the logic of that dichotomy. A hideous plastic pig that I would love to drive. Explain that one. I can't. Another good video. About a deeply bizarre car.

[@Matteo_Licata]

I can fully relate with your feelings, as I feel the same about the SZ: I don't like it, yet somehow I still lust over it!

[@ramonmedina1974]

one of the sexiest Alfa ever built.

[@GreasyFingers]

Despite looks only a mother could love … 😂😂😂

[@Uvray]

I think the SZ looks better than the roadster version. I've only ever seen one once on the road here in the UK.That was about 20 years ago and I've never seen another one since.

[@Matteo_Licata]

You rarely, if ever, see SZs on the road even here in Italy: these cars were bought as collectors' items even new, and most examples have very low mileage even 30 years on!

[@Uvray]

@@Matteo_Licata Yeah, I was very surprised. It passed me going the opposite direction and I remember my head spun round and I went "Jesus! That's an Alfa SZ!"

[@studiocalder818]

I was about to buy a black RZ in 2000 with very few kms, but an offer from Japan outran me. So I bought an SZ with more kms. And I am very satisfied to own the "original project". A f a n t a s t i c car. I love its design, but I'm too biased 😁

[@claudioschumi87]

Per me questa macchina e stupenda ha più classe dopo 30 anni che le auto di oggi Alfa e sempre Alfa ❤️

[@simonhodgetts6530]

Anyone else notice a nod to the RZ’s frontal treatment in the new Tonale?

[@Matteo_Licata]

The company quite explicitly said the SZ was an inspiration in that regard, but thankfully the Tonale looks much more attractive than the SZ :)

[@cancracker]

I never knew Walter de Silva competed for the design of this car but I was immediately convinced he didn’t win 😂. Are there any remaining scratches of his version?

[@Matteo_Licata]

I have never seen any drawing or picture of the Centro Stile’s discarded model. But maybe something has managed to survive, who knows…

[@SmallBlogV8]

With all these insta renders and real-world start-ups creating new-tech pastiches of classic cars, I wouldn't mind someone having a go at taking the SZ design and using more advanced/informed techniques to make the carbon skin and demonstrate better control of the surfaces and panel fit. Just to see what it could have looked like with more finessed execution.

[@motorfab7014]

Telaio cosi buono che avrebbe sopportato facilmente cinquanta cavalli in più Linea inconfondibile, non incantevole al primo colpo d'occhio allora ma perfetta oggi dopo 30 anni ne ha guadagnato

[@studiocalder818]

Concordo 100%

[@andynixon2820]

I think the coupe is very bold and quite beautiful. But the roadster looks like a giant yellow lego brick .

[@alastairwatson3201]

I love your videos and trust your taste, Matteo, which is why I’m so relieved that you admit that the SZ and RZ’s looks are “challenging.” I get that they’re great cars. However, I think that they look like they’re built from Lego smoothed over with plasticine! To call them ugly would be kind.

[@Matteo_Licata]

As a former automobile designer, I just can’t unsee the numerous faults of the SZ’s design… I really wonder what they were thinking, yet I admit I’d still get one. Possibly the only car I don’t like yet can’t help but lust after. Only Alfa Romeo…

[@domtoni4567]

I remember driving from Koeln to Tornio, and on the A4 saw plenty of prototypes on test. Never was a fan of the design, pity Ghidella didn't give the DeSilva group the nod, I am sure the vehicle would have had more success.

[@studiocalder818]

Being Italian I prefer the chosen Oprom design to the fantastic DeSilva 😁 The car was very successful at the presentation. Almost all of the production was booked, then many left their deposits following the stock market crisis. The same happened to Jaguar and others

[@joshuaagassi2874]

A bit strange that Alfa Romeo designed it and Zagato built it. Usually its the other way around

[@anderslarsson6149]

One of few Alfa Romeo i wish could have stayed on the drawing board. Imho it looks nothing but a brick. But hey, even the sun have a spot 💚🤍❤️

[@joseantonioarandagarcia9966]

Very interestig video Matteo! -as allways- This cas allways fooled me, sometimes I like it for being so weird, but sometimes I think it looks like an aficionado dream car... I would like to see original drawings and mockup, because I think the "idea" it was not that bad, but it was poorly translated into the real car. In other words, I like the design, but I don't like the proportions, surfacing and poor body finishing.

[@studiocalder818]

I like it so much, and I think it has been translated very well, what you see as defects I understand them as a characteristic of the material, modar, which fascinates me for the experimental use that has been made of it on this car. In addition to the fact that his driving gives a unique pleasure, obviously!

[@Matteo_Licata]

I'm with you on this: the idea was good, but man the execution really was sub-par. It took only 19 months to develop the SZ, and it does seem very little time went into perfecting the design!

[@broghad8241]

This guy is REALLY Italian 😆

[@malcolmhardwick4258]

It reminds me of an early Audi Quattro mixed with a bulldog ! How can something so ugly look so cool !

[@VLOGISGARAGE]

It kinde looks like a kit car.

[@Matteo_Licata]

It does indeed

[@replica1052]

(an electric sz -with just enough batteries to complete a lap on nurburgring )

[@Matteo_Licata]

I personally wouldn't convert an Alfa to electric, as their engines are an integral part of their appeal. But I do see the point for many other cars whose factory engines were weak or unreliable.

[@replica1052]

@@Matteo_Licata -as in a new model

[@hugovianadasilva5479]

The "S" of S.Z. is it for what? Sport or Sprint?

[@ingvarhallstrom2306]

It harkens back to the early 60's when Zagato made a series of specials built upon the Alfa Romeo Giulietta Sprint, called the "SZ" for "Sprint Zagato". It's a therefore considered a legacy name for both Alfa Romeo and Zagato.

[@studiocalder818]

S in Alfa is for Sprint, S in Lancia is for Sport

[@peterli6138]

It looks aggressive and angry, and above all, different. The same cannot be said about the modern EVs

[@kevgermany]

IMHO, the ugliest cars ever made by Alfa. Hated it when it came out, couldn't understand how anyone could design it, let alone put into production. When you compare them to the superb, elegant Bertone designs, you end up with the beauty and the beast. Time hasn't done this abomination any favors. Designed to fail. And they succeeded.

[@ingvarhallstrom2306]

They never went for beauty, they went for outrageousness. And this may be the most outrageous car in car history? I've always loved the car, always wanted one, but I never once thought they were beautiful, I wanted one for the raw animal brutality it represents. It is a monster indeed, it is a beast. Like a wild boar. I'd say it was designed to feast on the carcass of its slayed competition, and in that they succeeded.

[@studiocalder818]

I disagree 😊 And I think Josef Matula agrees with me 😁

[@robertos4172]

The front end treatment is promising..... and entirely disconsonant with the rest of the car. (Which is brutally ugly.) This looks 80's Japanese rather than Italian to me.

[@Matteo_Licata]

"Brutally ugly" sums up the SZ very well indeed! :)