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An appealing Italian ‘bitza’ that somehow transcends the sum of its parts. Created by Zagato using the chassis from the Spider and the five-speed gearbox from the Giulietta, the Junior Zagato was an arresting-looking coupé that added real variety to the Alfa Romeo lineup. The sloping front and kamm tail were undoubtedly a world apart from the well-crafted classicism of the rest of the Giulia-derived cars, but no less appealing for it. It was lighter and more aerodynamic than the standard cars. It was usefully quicker.
Aimed at a younger audience, the Alfa Junior Z compact two-seater sports coupe was presented at the Turin Motor Show in 1969. Designed by the Zagato studio, the Junior Z had several unusual stylistic solutions - a transparent plastic "lantern" in the entire width of the front, hiding the head optics, concise " aerodynamic detailing, a reversed rear side glazing stroke, and a pronounced wedge-shaped body silhouette, which became the stylistic basis for the large GTV coupe. Alfa Junior Z was perfect for the role of a youth "lighter": it weighed only 937 kg, had a low center of gravity, a short base, and had an ideal weight distribution. Because the car was planned to be produced in a small series, it was considered more appropriate to deliver the bodies from Arese to Terrazzano di Rho, where final assembly and painting took place at Zagato facilities. A total of 1108 Alfa Junior Zs were produced with the 1300 engine and 402 cars with the 1600 engine.
Source: www.classicandperformancecar.com; www.alfaromeo.ua
Images: Zagato-cars.com, Zagato; Alfa Romeo Historic Motoring, Documentation Center (Arese, Milan)
Pictured Above: Alfa Romeo Giulia Coupe GT Junior 1300 (Zagato), 1969-1972
Pictured Above: Alfa Romeo Giulia Coupe GT Junior 1600 (Zagato), 1972-1975