The workshop manual.

An original (single volume) German language version was recently seen on ebay for around £800!

These two volume copies are available for a more reasonable £50-60.

Sport through Design - March 1991

Exhibition brochure from the Design Museum in London, featuring Alfa Romeo.

Another hardback linen covered brochure, this time with "ES30" rather than "SZ". I'm not sure if it should have pictures like the one above, but this one contains three large fold out pamphlets,shown below:

Dealership letter - I think this might be very rare!

Dated 18/05/89, this typed letter was sent by Alfa UK to dealers across the country instrucitng them how to deal with customers wishing to place and order for a limited edition "SZ Coupe".

A £5,000 deposit could be taken as part payment towards the possible £37-41,000 price.

The letter is signed by Garry Brumfitt.

Autocar & Motor - 12th October 1988

Pg 10. Report on Alfa Romeo UK's plans for the futre, including the new "75 Coupe" which will cost £25,000 each with only 50 cars being brought into the UK. Also includes an article on the Alfa Romeo 164 3.0 Lusso.

Author: Jill Stanton.

Autocar & Motor - 30th November 1988.

Pg 56. Interesting report on a visit to Zagato to see the prototype SZ, complete development pictures showing the car with strange door mirrors, front lower air dam and a fluted rear bumper. The author describes it as an in-house Alfa mistake...somewhere between ugly and hideous.

Author: Russell Bulgin.

"Zagato" magazine and brochure, produced by Zagato, no printing date shown but likely to be 1989.

This rare magazine focusses on the ES30 SZ and also covers other Zagato built cars such as 1750s, 1500, 159, 1900 SSZ and early SZs; plus a history of the Zagato company from 1919 to 1989.

Autocar & Motor - 8th February 1989.

Pg 14. Brief outline of the SZ a month before it's Geneva launch, stated as being 220bhp and codenamed E30.

Author: unknown.

Autocar & Motor - 15th March 1989.

Pg 9. Report on the Geneva Show where Italy fielded the SZ and even uglier Autech Nissan Stelvio. The SZ comments are on page 14, with a suggestion that the SZ is only slightly better in the flesh than it's photographs suggest!

Author: Not credited.

Autocar & Motor - 26th April 1989.

Pg 42. "Would you spend £35,000 on the world's ugliest car?" They would...!

Author: Peter Robinson.

Road & Track - May 1989.

Pg 40. American magazine report on the new carrozzeria built prototype SZ being tested at the Balocco track.

Author: Dennis Simanaitis.

Performance Car - May 1989.

Pg 14. A brief article describing the new SZ from it's launch at the Geneva Show..."you don't have to be pretty to be a star". The author was not so sympathetic to Zagato's own show car, the Stelvio!

Author: John Henderson.

Car and Driver - June 1989.

Pg 40. Brief article of the monster created by Zagato and suggesting it could be an Alfa to remember.

Author: Giancarlo Perini

Wheels - June 1989.

Pg 74. Australian magazine feature on the new SZ.

Author: Peter Robinson.

Car - June 1989.

Pg 116. Test drive of one of the five "evaluation prototype" SZs, with full door cards and leaky door.

Author: Roger Bell

Supercar Classics - July 1989.

Pg 9. The ES30 prototype is pictured next to an 8c 2900B.

Pg 85. Following an article about Zagato, which includes some lovely drawings of early coachbuilt cars through to mentioning the "modern" SZ. Described as a "bizarre caricature of a car" but the positive review concludes by calling it an "accomplished coupe".

Author: Roger Bell.

Road & Track - October 1989.

Pg 109. American magazine report of driving one of the five prototypes at Arese and proclaiming it to be a lot more than just another pretty face.

Author: Dennis Simanaitis

Italian Cars Sports & Classic - issue 1 1990.

Pg 16. Glossy article with excellent pictures by Robert Piatti, author of the book "Alfa Romeo SZ" (see "Books" below).

Author: Robert Piatti

Alfa Romeo World - issue 2 1990.

Pg 14. Article introducing the new SZ.

Author: Marco Matteucci.

Autosport - 24th May 1990.

Pg 61. Brief article which opens by describing the SZ the automotive equivalent of the Elephant Man, a staggeringly unattractive machine and even uglier than a 75; but ends up enthusing about it's near perfect road manners and beautifully balanced chassis.

Author: Jonathan Gill.

Car - June 1990.

Pg 5. Editorial - a brief comparison of the SZ and BMW 8 series, the Alfa wins hearts were the BMW is not needed. Author: Gavin Green.

Pg 114. Article claiming to be the first British test of Alfa's outrageous SZ. The critical writing includes describing the car as "...an eight-lace-hole Doctors Martens with a scuffed toe cap" and stating "the SZ is ugly, end of story"; but the handling is deemed positive and it all ends with "This is a car in which to enjoy driving....".

Author: Russel Bulgin.

Motorsport - July 1990.

Pg 720. Brief article describing three new Alfas, the revised 33, SZ and Spider. The SZ is described very accurately (ignoring the comment about 6mm of suspension movement) by "WPK", including the post 4,000 revs "singing" owners know so well.

Author: WPK - initials were used to prevent other magazines poaching Motorsport's writers.

Fast Lane - July 1990.

Pg 44. Article describing the SZ as a sluggish but striking supercar from the Thunderbird house of design.

Author: Simon Arron.

Performance Car - August 1990.

Pg 54. Feature describing a 1,000 mile road trip through Scotland.

Author: Brian Laban.

Classic Cars - August 1990.

Pg 63. Brief test report of the new SZ.

Author: Tony Dron.

Motor - November 1990.

Pg 71. Australian magazine report on the Loch Ness Monster...driving il Monstro around Scotland's famous roads.

Author: Michael Cotton.

"The Encyclopedia of Super Cars", volume 2, issue 13, 1991.

Amongst other strange vehicles and people, this magazine celebrates and describes the SZ with some impressive double fold out pictures and technical details of the SZ.

Alfa Romeo World - issue 4 1991.

Pg 12. Road test report of the SZ.

Author: Marco Matteucci.

Performance Car - January 1991.

Pg. 46. Article citing journalistic nominations for the "performance car of the year". The SZ came a creditable second behind the Audi Quattro 20v, but a healthy eight points in front of third place TVR; followed by the Integrale, M3, Mercedes Benz, Lotus and a Land Rover (yes, really!).

Author: Various.

Sports Car Interntional - April 1991.

Pg. 22. American magazine testing an SZ in Italy, extolling its handling and suggesting the "Bulldog of Milan" develops a "working empathy" between the driver and car.

Author: Graziella Diana Ferrero

Classic and Sportscar - October 1991.

Pg 54. A comparison of the 1990 ES30 SZ and a 1960 Giulietta SZ.

Author: Mike Buckley.

Autocar - 1st April 1992.

Pg 64. Evocative article describing Nino Vaccarella driving an SZ over the old Targa Floria route, where graffiti reading "Nino" is still visible on walls, a tribute to his three TF victories.

Author: Peter Robinson.

Fast Lane - May 1992

Pg 104. "Living with a Monster" describes ownership of an Italian pit bull three years after it's launch...including a "staggering" service bill of £83!

Also includes are an Alfa 155 GTA picture and Lancia Integrale article.

Author: Matthew Carter

Performance Car - November 1992

An article featuring the Zagato dynasty and the launch of their new Bambu and Seta models, including the "SZ Spider"and a blurry SZ photo.

The SZ is also featured in a Clarion advert on page15 and RZ on page 20.

Author: Mark Bishop

Top Car - February 1993.

Pg 18. Not a "normal" Sz, this brief two page article features the 3.5L Autodelta tweaked SZ...stated as giving the "muscle to match its looks".

Author: Paul Jeffries.

Italian Cars - March/April 1993 (issue 11) .

Pg 26. "Double Take" - A comparison of a standard SZ with a tuned offering from Autodelta. Apparently the "lacklustre" standard car needs some input, hence the increase of 46bhp for the Autodelta version.

Despite the criticism, the author suggests Alfa Romeo deserve a standing ovation for making such a car.

(Note - Pg 20 - 25 includes an article about Zagato, Alfa RZ and Lancia Hyena).

Author: Roberto Giordanelli.

Autocar - 21st April 1993.

Pg 46. Start of a long term 20,000 mile test of a variety of cars, including an SZ.

Author: Steve Cropley.

Zagato - June 1993.

Pg 4. Feature on the racing Trofeo SZs.

Author: Maurizio Thiebat.

Fast Lane - September 1993.

Pg 78. A profile of Alfa Romeo racers at the Varano track. The article mainly focusses on the 75, Formula Boxer single seater, Formula 3 Dallara, Osella PA16, 155 GpN Q4 and 155 GTA.

The SZ only receives a brief mention on pages 78 & 79.

Author: Mark Hales.

Autocar - 19th January 1994.

Pg 107. 16,000 mile test report detailing ownership costs and repairs. Problems include trying to find a comfortable seating position and replacing the factory brake pads for ones that work!

Author: Eric Verdon-Roe.

World Sports Cars - June/July 1994.

Pg 60. An interesting comparison between BMW's "fabulously different" Z1 and Alfa's "beautifully ugly" SZ.

Author: Anna Guerrier.

Auto Italia - March 1995 - Issue 1.

Pg 50. Article about the Centro Internazionale Guida Sicura (International Safe Driving Centre) including their fleet of six SZs!

Author: Roberto Giordanelli.

Auto Italia - Nov/Dec 1995 - Issue 5.

Pg 14. Article highlighting the availability of SZs with specifications (which list the top speed as 51mph!).

Author: Roberto Giordanelli.

Auto Italia - Nov/Dec 1996 - Issue 11.

Pg 11. News item about some newly discovered RZs and the right hand drive Autodelta SZ.

Author: Not credited.

Auto Italia - Mar/Apr 1997 - Issue 13.

Pg 34. Article briefly covering the Zagato company history, focusing mainly on the SZ and RZ.

Author: Not credited.

Classic & Sports Car - May 1998.

Pg 130. Critical article comparing the SZ and RZ...the SZ comes out favourite.

Author: Richard Heseltine.

Performance Car - June 1998.

Pg 35. Article comparing a 916 GTV with the SZ, as beauty and the beast, both equipped with Alfa's glorious V6 engine.

Author: John Barker.

Auto Italia - January 2000 - Issue 41.

Pg 62. Buyers guide for the SZ and RZ.

Author: Not credited.

Thoroughbred & Classic Cars - September 2000.

Pg 148. Half page buyer's guide, states only 300 were made.

Author: Robert Coucher

Classic Cars - March 2002.

Pg 94. Comparison of Alfa's SZ and Lancia's Hyena.

Author: Glen Waddington.

Classic & Sports Car - April 2002 (20th Anniversary issue).

Pg 9. The SZ forms part of an article by staff writers, selecting their favourite £20,000 dream car. Richard Heseltine chose the "utterly barking" ES30.

Pg 18. Brief but positive opinion of an SZ by Matthew Carter.

Autocar - 25th September 2002.

Pg 146. One page article describing why the SZ is the first ugly car the Author understood, "Ugly at it's best is as much an art form as beautiful".

Author: David Vivian.

Evo - June 2003.

Pg 138. A comprehensive buyer's guide with comments from owners (steering rack bolt problem is mentioned).

Author: Jethro Bovingdon.

Car - May 2004

Pg 106. Number 14 of the top 100 coolest cars...not bad for a car that's "so ugly, yet so utterly desirable". The SZ beats a multitude of car including the Integrale, Countach and Zonda (a few of the 83 stuning cars it beat)!

Author: Not credited.

Auto Italia - September 2004 - Issue 97.

Pg 34. Report on the 85th birthday party for Zagato, held at Lake Como. Mentioning the SZ/RZ and other classic Zagato cars.

Author: Johann Lemercier.

Auto Italia - December 2004 - Issue 100.

Pg 34. Triple test of three different but similar SZs. The first in standard tune, the second enlarged to 3.5L with the last car having a Rotrex supercharger.

Author: Andy Heywood.

Classic Cars - April 2005.

Pg 88. Three car comparison of the SZ, an Aston Martin V8 Zagato and a Maserati Ghibli...the Alfa came out on top for it's dynamic charms.

Author: Mike Duff.

Classic & Sports Car - September 2005.

Pg 115. Selection of "best buy" Alfas selected from a visit to the AROC UK National Day in June 2005. Pictured is an SZ and my old Matta!

Author: Not credited.

Classic Cars - September 2006.

Pg 98. Buyers guide for the SZ and RZ.

Author: Nigel Boothman.

Evo - October 2006.

Pg 194. Brief article titled "Birth of an icon", describing the SZ's gestation and production.

Author: Ian Eveleigh.

Evo - October 2006 - "Collector's Edition 098" (Yes, it's the same as the one above!).

Pg 194. Brief article titled "Birth of an icon", describing the SZ's gestation and production.

Author: Ian Eveleigh.

Classic & Sportscar - February 2007.

Pg 184. A half page Case History (more of an indepth "for sale" column) of No. 439 at 38,718km....price is £17,995.

Author: Not credited.

Auto Italia - Sept/Oct 2007 - Issue 136.

Pg 26. Article spotlighting a special SZ fitted with a 3.0 24v engine and Rotrax Supercharger, apparently "this is the car the SZ should have been all along".

Author:

Zagato Car Club - October 2008.

Despite showing an SZ on the cover and on page 9 of the magazine, the car doesn't get a mention anywhere!

Thoroughbred & Classic Cars - October 2008.

Pg 90. Driving report of the "non-confirmist cult icon" and brief history of Eng. Giuseppe Busso, designer of the Alfa V6 engine.

Author: Simon Charlesworth

‹ «

"Feel" magazine, issue 9 2009.

Pg 16. This issue compares the SZ with it's more modern relative, the Brera.

"Feel" (renamed "Alfa" from June 2011) is distributed by Alfa Romeo UK to "Cloverleaf Club" (Alfa Romeo UK Club) members and dealerships across the country.

Auto Italia - Jan/Feb 2010 - Issue 167.

Pg 64. Buyers guide for the "Marmite Monster".

Author: Keith Seume.

Evo - February 2010 "Collectors Edition 140".

Pg 48. The SZ is featured (pages 65-71) as part of a massive 46 page celebration of special editions, as the car that "...sums up Alfa absolutely perfectly".

Included alongside the SZ are other limited edition cars such as the Lancia Hyena Morgan Aeromax and Suburu Impreza 22B.

Author: Henry Catchpole.

Practical Classics - March 2011.

Pg 116. My SZ forms part of an article about purchasing timewarp classics.

Author: Sam Dawson.

Auto Italia - January 2012.

Pg 60. A very average article with stock Alfa pictures, neither is it particularly flattering towards the SZ, finishing with not being "...entirely clear what it was for".

Author: David Sutherland

Classic & Sportscar - January 2012.

Pg 112. Titled "When Arese Went Crazy" this interesting article compares two of Alfa's strangest creations, an SZ and a Montreal.finishing with "...even the flaws are wonderful".

Author: Tony Baker.

Cross & Serpent - April/May 2012

Pg 21. The Alfa Romeo Owner's Club of Australia's (Victoria Division) excellent magazine features an SZ belonging to one of it's members, Onno le Roy, which was imported to New Zealand from Dubai by the owner.

The magazine also features a one page article on the Alfa Matta.

Author: Don Hopping

Auto Italia - August 2012.

Pg 32. "Extremes in Design" - Auto Italia cmpares two of Zagatos stylistically challenged (their words!) products, the SZ and Autech Stelvio. I know which one I'd rather have...

Author: Chris Rees.

"Alfa Romeo SZ" by Roberto Piatti, apparently becoming quite a rarity now.

I was lucky to obtain this English version for a reasonable price on Ebay, but have seen them for sale at £200+.

ISBN: 9788879110150

"The Legend Revived" by David Styles, reports the Alfa SZ as a model about to be released and claims less than a thousand will be produced.

ISBN: 978-0901564757

"Alfazioso" by Gippo Salvetti

ISBN: 9788888269016

"Zagato 1990-2000" by Joanne Marshall.

This colourful hardback book describes the cars, trains and tractors of Zagato design; including the TZ3, Raptor, SZ, Vantage, RZ, Hyena, and 155 TiZ.

ISBN: 8879112465

"Le Vetture di Produzione 1910-1996"

The sought after two volume history of Alfa Romeo production cars, including the SZ. By Stefano d'Amico and Maurizio Tabucchi.

ISBN: 9788879111676

"Le Vetture di Produzione 1910-2007"

The updated two volume history of Alfa Romeo production cars, including the SZ. By Stefano d'Amico and Maurizio Tabucchi.

ISBN: 9788879114080

"The Alfa Romeo V6 Engine High Performance Manual" by Jim Kartalamakis.

Considered to be the authoratitive book on the gutsy Busso designed V6 engine; the SZ is mentioned throughout.

ISBN: 9781845840211

"Alfa Romeo from 1910 to 2010" by Maurizio Tabucchi.

Similar in layout to Le Vetture di Produzione above this book describes Alfa's model history over the last century, the SZ appears on page 266 for a brief outline of the model.

ISBN: 9788879115032