The Alfa Romeo SZ (Sprint Zagato) and its roadster sibling, the RZ (Roadster Zagato), were born from a collaboration between Alfa, Fiat, and Zagato in the late 1980s. Built on a modified Alfa 75 platform, it featured a steel chassis clothed in a unique injection-molded composite plastic body. Power came from Alfa's fantastic 3.0L 'Busso' V6, producing 210 hp, sent to a rear-mounted transaxle for excellent balance.
Its aggressive, blocky styling earned it the nickname 'Il Mostro' (The Monster), and it remains a polarizing design today. This visual drama, combined with extreme rarity, is a core part of its appeal. Just 1,036 SZ coupes were built between 1989 and 1991, followed by only 278 RZ roadsters. For collectors, the SZ/RZ offers a hand-built feel, an iconic engine note, and a pure analog driving experience that's hard to find.
The market for these cars has been relatively stable, but prices for the best examples are on the rise. With an average sale price around $69,000, it represents a unique opportunity to own a limited-production Italian exotic with real Zagato heritage. The rarer RZ consistently commands a significant premium over the SZ coupe, but both are considered bona fide collector's items.
Buying Tips
- The Modar composite body panels are the car's most unique feature and are nearly impossible to source. Inspect every panel carefully for cracks, crazing, or signs of poor repairs, paying special attention to panel gaps.
- The 3.0L Busso V6 is stout, but check for proof of a recent timing belt and tensioner service, which is a critical and expensive job. A weak 2nd gear synchro is a common issue on the transaxle.
- Test the electronically adjustable Koni suspension. Ensure it cycles through its settings properly, as replacement parts are extremely difficult to find.
- Leather dashboards are known to shrink and pull away from the windshield base due to sun exposure. This is a common and costly issue to rectify properly.
- The RZ roadster is substantially rarer and more valuable than the SZ coupe. Verify the car's production number and history to confirm its identity.
Recent sales show prices ranging from $43,250 for cars needing work to $91,231 for pristine, low-mileage examples.
47 Alfa Romeo SZ vehicles have been tracked across auctions and listings on Hypercars, with 3 currently live. Sold prices range from $28,080 to $300,000.
Data sourced from Bring a Trailer, Cars & Bids, eBay Motors, PCarMarket, and Collecting Cars. Updated daily.
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