The Alfa Romeo Giulia TZ (also known as the Alfa Romeo TZ or Tubolare Zagato) was a small sports car manufactured by Alfa Romeo from 1963 to 1967. It was originally built in just two generations but back in 2009 legendary Italian design house Zagato started the ‘TZ3 Program’ to celebrate the centenary of Alfa Romeo in 2010.

Last year we saw the one-off TZ3 Corsa concept car unveiled at the Villa D'Este Concorso d'Eleganza, and now, just one year later, Zagato has started deliveries of the first production versions. Dubbed the TZ3 Stradale, the production versions will be limited to just nine units all up and is a tribute to the heritage of street legal cars built by Alfa Romeo and Zagato.

Some of the legendary cars that spring to mind include the 6C 2500 Panoramica and 1900 SSZ of the 1940s and ‘50s, as well as the more recent S.Z. and R.Z. of the 1980s and ‘90s.

Unlike the previous TZ3 Corsa, which shared its mechanicals with the Alfa Romeo 8C Competizione, the latest TZ3 Stradale is based on the Dodge Viper ACR mechanical chassis but gets its own unique carbon fiber body.

“Bellezza necessaria” is the inspiration of this car which matches for the first time an American powertrain with an Alfa Romeo body.

Fittingly, the first example has been delivered to an American Alfa Romeo collector, Eric King, who also happens to be on the board of the Saratoga Automobile Museum.

The next two will be going to Japan and Europe.

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