Brief History of the Sprint Veloce Zagato (SVZ)

The Giuliettas (Giuliette, plural in Italian) SVZ date from 1956 to 1960 for a total number of documented 16 cars, 18 being recorded. They were prepared by by Zagato following special orders by racers of the time who would purchased from Alfa Romeo a complete Giulietta Sprint Veloce (SV) and deliver it in running conditions to Zagato who would remove the original body, replace it with a very light aluminum body, and prepare for racing the mechanical parts, including engine, suspension and brakes (see Refs. [1-3]).

Because of these special features, Giuliettas SVZ did win all races of the period in their class and contributed greatly to the creation of the Zagato name and marque. These original SVZ are essentially all different among each other in various details since they were made by hand following special orders. In fact, the double bubble, covered headlights, and other features was essentially included on request by the customer.

Beginning from 1961, Alfa romeo provided Zagato with rolling chassis, Zagato did not remove any more Alfa's body and this started the first series of Giulietta Sprint Zagato (SZ), that was followed later by a second series (see Refs. [4-7]).

The year 1956 saw the first SVZ # 1944 ordered without double buddle by Massimo Leto di Priolo, a known Italian nobleman and racer [1].

in 1957 Zagato produced three SVZ all with double buddle following orders by Egidio Gozza (# 1613), Carlo Mario Abate (# 2158), and Jean Pierre Schild (chassis unknown) [1].

In 1958-1959 Zagato produced six SVZ for: Pace (# 1849), Sergio Pedrettio (# 3907), Miro Tosselli (# 2289), Sergio Bettoia (# 2308), SCPAR Race Team Lugano (# 2348) and Sergio Cannara (# 4458). None of these SVZ had the double bubble except # 4458 [1].

In 10959-1960 Zagato produced six known additional SVZ # 4249, 4717, 6184, 4718 3249, and 4657. None of them had the double bubble [1].

The "Genealogical Tree" of the Giuliette SVZ as documented by Giugno [1], page 5. The SVZ # 4458 is the last on the right for 1958/9.

Documented History of the Giulietta SVZ # 4458.

The Giulietta Sprint Veloce # 4458 was purchased by Sergio Cannara on May 20, 1957, titled with plate number PR 36055, used for initial races, then delivered to Zagato in late 1957, and listed in the Zagato record as released in 1958 with engine # 1315, exterior color white, all plexiglas windows, double buddle and covered headlights, exactly as it is today.

Since Cannara was a tall man (1.8 meters high), he requested the double bubble, otherwise he would not fit in the car. Hence, # 4458 is the last SVZ with the double bubble. Covered headlights are another documented feature of # 4458 because added also following Cannara's special order. Cannara used the SVZ # 4458 extensively in various races of the time (see the record below).

Giulietta SVZ # 4458 was sold on February 6, 1960, to Clelia Rossi, a known lady racer of the time, titled with plate number SA 38082, repainted in red, and used for various races (see the record below).

Giulietta SVZ # 4458 was then sold on July 7, 1960, to Antonio Covino, titled with plate number NA 173748, and raced.

In the 1960's the new Giuliette SZ took over all races of their class, and no additional record of SVZ # 4458 could be located. The car was rediscovered quite recently in an italian body shop with a number of "race injuries," including evidence of capsizing, crack in the oil pan and other mechanical parts, and other "injuries."

Following its rediscovery, the Giulietta SVZ # 4458 was purchased by Angelo Strada of Milano, and subjected to restoration in Italy. Utmost attention was devoted to the body restoration up to absolute originality, down to details such as: color and pattern of the interior upholstery (including a rather thick underroof padding since no helmet was used in the 1950s during racing); all plexiglas windows; carpet stitches, let alone carpet fabric and colors, etc. The only remaining unknown was the covered headlights that were confirmed by the recent appearance of Giugno's documentation [1].

The Giulietta SVZ # 4458 was purchased by Ruggero and Carla Santilli from Florida; imported in the USA in running conditions on September 8, 2007 with a rather large documentation of originality; titled Florida DB2 411; and subjected to a complete mechanical restoration in the USA by Michael Besic from Illinois (head), Mark Dubovick from Florida (Carburetors), and Gene West and Melvin McCalister from Florida (all remaining mechanical restoration and final; testing).

In view of the production year and race documentation, the Giulietta SVZ # 4458 is fully eligible for the Mille Miglia as well as other classic cars events.

A view of Giugno's documentation, Ref. [1], page 145, showing (top view) the Giulietta SVZ # 4458 as delivered by Zagato, and (bottom view) Its first buyer, Sergio Cannara. Note the white color and the covered headlight, and the racing number 166.

Documented Races of the Giulietta SVZ # 4458

1) July 6, 1957; Race: Castel d'Acque - Venasca; Giulietta SV $ 4458 raced by Sergio Cannara prior to the Zagato rebodying' placing unknown;

2) May 24, 1959; Race: Castellarquato - Vernasca; SVZ $ 4458 raced by Sergio Cannara; 1-st place;

3) Giugne 30, 1959; Race: Predappio - Rocca delle Camminate; SVZ $ 4458 racxed by Sergio Cannara; 1-st place;

4) 4) July 26, 1959; Race: Trieste - Opicina; SVZ $ 4458 raced by Sergio Cannara; p[lacing unknown;

5) August 30, 1959, Race Corsa dei Colli Torinesi, SVZ # 4458 racxed by Cannara; 1-st place;

6) May 8, 1960; Race: Targa Florio; SVZ $ 4458 raced by Fernando Natella and Pietro Flordelisi; placing unknown;

7) July 3, 1960; Race: Targa Vesuvio; SVZ $ 4458 raced by Antonio Covino; 3-rd place;

8) August 28, 1960; Race: Selva Fasano; SVZ # 4458 raced by Antonio Covino; 1-st place;

9) August 15, 1961; Race: Pescara 4 hours; SVZ $ 4458 raced by Fernando Natella for the Scuderia Sette colli; 9-th place.

A view of the Giulietta SVZ # 4458 racing at the Targa Florio 1960 with the number 32.

A picture of the SVZ # 4458 while racing in Naples, Italy, circa 1962

A picture of the lady owner of record of the SVZ # 4458 wh in Naples, Italy, circa 1965
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Acknowledgments

The Santillis would like to thank Angelo Strada, from Milano, for his accuracy and honesty in presenting the Giulietta SVZ $ 4458, Giorgio beghella-Bartoli, President of the Monza International Track, for invaluable assistance in the verification of originality and documentation of the SVZ # 4458, and the Registry of Motor Vehicles of Tarpon Springs, Florida, for their extensive search and verification for the U.S. Titling of the Giulietta SVZ $ 4458 due to the absence of any registration in Italy for decades. Additional thanks are due to Antonio Griffa and Giuseppe Novaira, of Torino, for search in the historical archives, and to Delmas Greene, Nino Montopoli, John Judy, Michael Rodriguez, Ray Jones and Jim Allen of Folorida for technical assistance during the restoration.

A view of the engine of the Giulietta SVZ # 4458 with the double Weber Carburetors in its current restored conditions with 200 psi compression per cylinder. It appears that, in racing, the original SVZ engines would reach 10,000 rpm.

A view of the original dials and the Nardi Race Wheel.

A view of the exact reproduction done in Italy of the original interior, including color, vynal and stiches.

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A view of the documented original covered headlighted.

A view of all plexyglass windows as in the original car.

A view of the racing tires with aluminium wheels on the car, the spare road tires, and the difference in width between the race and road tires.

A view of the original jack and a reproduction made in Itraly of the original tool kit.

A view of the impeccable mechanical restoration of the Giulietta SVZ # 4458.