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In one sense, the Alfa Romeo Giulietta Sprint Veloce Zagato (SVZ) came about as a result of an accident, for if Carlo Leto di Prioli had not crashed his steel-bodied Sprint Veloce in the 1956 Mille Miglia, the ultra-lightweight Zagato might not have come into being. After rebodying the car in aluminium, the famed Milanese coachbuilder rebodied a further 17, which proved highly effective in competition. The SVZ is therefore rare, but this 1957 example is further distinguished by being the only one of the 18 to be bodied with Zagato’s signature “double-bubble” roof profile, for the simple reason that gentleman racer Sergio Cannara of Busseto, Italy, who commissioned the car, was close to six and a half feet tall.

In standard form the steel-bodied Giulietta Sprint Veloce coupe was peppy enough, thanks to its twin-carb DOHC cross-flow 1290cc 4-cylinder alloy engine featuring hemispherical combustion chambers. With its lightweight aluminum body (plus plexiglass windows), the SVZ—based on the top-spec 99 HP Sprint Speciale with double twin-choke carburetors and higher compression ratio—shed 260 pounds and punched even further above its weight.

Built on May 20, 1957 and sold new to Cannara on July 3, 1957, this Sprint Veloce Zagato—No. 5 of 18 and known as 4458 in reference to its chassis number—was actively campaigned in period, winning hillclimbs and completing the 1960 Targo Florio. The SVZ was then purchased by Clelia Rossi of Naples, Italy on February 6, 1960, who in turn sold it to Antonio Covino on July 7, 1961. On March 5, 2007, the car was sold to Clean Energies Tech Co. and title in the U.S.

The SVZ was comprehensively restored in Italy in 1997 by renowned vintage car dealer Angelo Strada of Milan, and it was later the recipient of a two-year engine restoration, completed in 2010 by Michael Besic, which included race pistons, race cams and oversized water pump. In 2022, the brakes were restored to race condition, with machined drums and resurfaced pads.

Key to its appeal, along with its FIA identity card, US FIVA certification with technical data and photography and 1000 Miglia certification of its original double-bubble Zagato body and original engine, is its permanent eligibility for 1000 Miglia events following its registration for the 1000 Miglia rally in 2020. The car is also accompanied by import documents, 1000 Miglia metal badges, race photographs and records.

The SVZ’s success gave rise to a full production version known as the SZ (Sprint Zagato) in 1960. Still hand-built by Zagato, 217 versions of the light, pacey and costly racer were built. It was still exclusive, but none is more so than the one and only double-bubble SVZ.

HIGHLIGHTS

Sprint Veloce Zagato (SVZ)
Chassis no. 1493*04458
No 5 of 18 SVZ produced
Built on May 20, 1957
Sold new on July 3, 1957 to Sergio Cannara of Busseto, Italy, who requested a double bubble lightweight body to Zagato
The only double bubble example re-bodied and race prepared by Zagato with a lightweight aluminum bodywork
Sold on February 6, 1960 to Clelia Rossi of Naples, Italy
Sold on July 7 ,1961 to Antonio Covino.
Comprehensive restoration by Angelo Strada, a renowned vintage car dealer from Milan, completed in 1997
Sold on March 5, 2007 to, and titled in the US by Clean Energies Tech Co.
European FIA identity card with dated photograph
U.S. FIVA certification with technical data and photograph
Registered for the1000 Miglia rally of 2020 with permanent eligibility for future 1000 Miglia rallies
1000 Miglia certification of the original double bubble Zagato body
1000 Miglia certification of the original engine
Import documents, 1000 Miglia Metal Badges, race photographs and records included