There followed extensive development, before the
final car appeared in 1963, both aerodynamic and mechanical. The former
involved adopting a fixed roof, round headlights, a completely new grille
arrangement, a longer, lower nose and a totally revised rear end, whilst
the mechanical development concentrated on the rear suspension design.
Production (split between Ambrosini for the chassis,
Delta for the mechanicals and Zagato for the body) began in 1963,
and the new model debuted in motorsport at Monza in that October, an event
which it won easily. The following year saw the TZ1 take class victories
in many major events, including Sebring 12 hours, Le Mans, Nurburgring
1000km, Targa Florio, Coupe des Alpes (1st overall) and more. By this time
the engine was producing around 160bhp, development being done by Conrero. 1964 also saw the release of the new TZ2, a further
development featuring a twin-plug engine (with 170bhp), which was also
reworked to lower the entire car. The chassis was modified, a dry sump
unit enabled the engine to be mounted lower and a new body was designed
by Zagato, made completely from fibreglass reinforced plastic. The roof
was lowered, the three rear windows became a single plexiglass unit and
smaller wheels were used.
The TZ2 debuted in mid-1965 and went on to compete
alongside the TZ1 in that year, both cars achieving many successes. At
the end of that year the official programme was shelved (to make way for
the GTA cars) although the TZ's continued to compete in private hands.
A total of 112 TZ1's and 12 TZ2's were built.
Design
started in 1959, but other commitments meant a slow gestation, with the
first prototype chassis being delivered from Alfa Romeo to Zagato at the
beginning of 1961, and the first car taking to the test track in October
of that year. This car had a removeable hard-top/roof section with a fixed
rear screen, and a nose similar to the Giulietta
SZ, whilst the engine and most of the mechanicals were taken from the
Giulia,
with significant exceptions including the all-new independent rear suspension and disc brakes on all wheels.
It
is also worth noting that in 1963/4 two or three TZ1's were built with a fibreglass
reinforced plastic body (by Balzaretti Modigliani of Milan), visually identical to the normal aluminium unit, but much lighter.
Technical Details
| Driveline | longitudinal engine at front with rear wheel drive |
| Engine | 1570cc (78x82mm) dohc 4 cylinder with 112bhp @ 6,500rpm
(TZ1 in competition trim : 160bhp) TZ2 : twin-plug unti with 170bhp @ 7,000rpm |
| Suspension | front : double wishbone with coil springs and telescopic dampers plus anti-roll bar
rear : independent with coil springs and telescopic dampers and anti-roll bar wheelbase : 2200mm track (front/rear) : 1300mm/1300-1330mm (depending on trim) |
| Brakes | front : discs
rear : discs dual circuit with assistance |
| Gearbox | 5 speed manual |
| Kerb weight | TZ1 : 660kg
TZ2 : 620kg |
Identification
The TZ was given the official designation 105.11, the 1570cc engine being the AR00511.
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