Alfa Romeo TZ1

All edge, no excess.

This is the Alfa Romeo Giulia TZ1—Tubolare Zagato—a purpose-built competition car from the early 1960s. Underneath, a lightweight tubular spaceframe; over it, a tight Zagato body shaped for speed, not comfort.

Everything is reduced to function: short wheelbase, minimal overhangs, and just enough twin-cam power to make the most of its weight—or lack of it.

A race car, full stop.

Compact. Focused. Fast.

This particular Alfa Romeo Giulia TZ-1 raced in SCCA competition in the mid-1960s, most notably driven by Nadeene Brengle—dismissively labeled in period papers as the “San Diego Housewife,” though her results told a different story. Behind the wheel of this very car, she claimed the SCCA South Pacific Class Championship.

One race says it all. Brengle put the TZ on pole with a record lap. At the start, a Porsche 356 jumped ahead. A tap of brakes into Turn 5 forced her off—she spun, hit the wall, and rejoined in last.

Over the next 16 laps, she carved through the field, one car at a time, finishing on the leader’s tail—and beating her own lap record in the process.

Known as the “Baby GTO,” the TZ-1 was Alfa Romeo and Zagato at their most focused: a 125-pound tubular chassis, aluminum body, twin-cam four, and Kamm-tail aerodynamics. Just 120 were built. Light, elemental, and devastatingly effective, they went on to dominate their class at Le Mans, Sebring, the Nürburgring, and the Targa Florio.