Alfa Romeo SZ/RZ
The polarizing Zagato wedge nicknamed Il Mostro, the Monster.
Made to order: your copy is researched, fact-checked, and typeset to our standard, then delivered within about two weeks. We'll email you the moment it's ready.
About the Alfa Romeo SZ and RZ
Nicknamed "Il Mostro," the monster, the Alfa Romeo SZ (Sprint Zagato) coupe and its open sister the RZ (Roadster Zagato) are among the most uncompromising road cars Alfa Romeo ever put its name to. Styled inside Fiat's design center and bodied by Zagato in injection-molded composite panels rather than steel, the SZ arrived in 1989 as a deliberately brutal, slab-sided wedge with a triple-headlamp face that people either loved or could not forgive. The RZ roadster followed from 1992 to 1994 and was rarer still.
Mechanically both cars are built on the running gear of the Alfa 75 (Milano), which means a rear transaxle for near-ideal weight distribution, the glorious Busso V6, and handling that even now is talked about with genuine reverence. The RZ was built in far smaller numbers than the coupe, with roughly 278 examples completed, which is why it is one of the most collectible Alfas of the modern era.
Specifications at a glance
| SZ coupe | 1989 to 1991 |
| RZ roadster | 1992 to 1994 |
| Engine | 3.0 L Busso V6, 12 valve |
| Output | about 210 PS (207 hp) |
| Transmission | 5-speed rear transaxle, rear-wheel drive |
| Bodywork | Zagato composite panels over a steel structure |
| RZ production | approximately 278 cars |
Known issues to check before you buy
- The Busso V6 cam belt. The timing belt and its tensioner are the critical service item. Buy on documented belt history, not promises, because a failure is catastrophic on this engine.
- Composite panel repair. The body panels are not steel. Damage repair and correct refinishing are specialist work, so inspect closely for poor past repairs and mismatched paint.
- Front-end ground clearance. The low nose is easily grounded and kerbed. Check the front spoiler and underside for damage.
- Zagato-specific trim. Interior and body trim unique to the SZ and RZ is scarce and expensive. Originality and completeness drive value heavily.
Owning one
These are not cars you buy to save money, they are cars you buy because nothing else looks, sounds, or corners like them. Values, particularly for the RZ, have risen sharply as the model's reputation has matured from oddity to icon. This volume covers the SZ and RZ specifically: verified specifications, the documented weak points and how to inspect each, the service and belt-interval data, and the specialist parts and club network that keeps them on the road.
Inside this volume
Known issues & a survey guide
The documented weak points for this exact model, how to inspect each, and what a proper fix costs.
Full specifications
Every published figure, engine option, and running change, with the conflicts flagged, not guessed.
Systems & maintenance
Electrical, fuel, cooling, and drivetrain, plus service schedules and torque and fluid data.
Parts & community
Where the parts are, what cross-references, and the clubs and forums that keep the model alive.
Make it your car.
We fold in your year, your engine and options, your refits and modifications, your VIN, and your own car's photo on the cover. The book stops describing the car that left the factory and starts describing the one in your garage.