Alfa Romeo Giulia TZ2 Autodelta Team - Targa Florio 1966
Car scale model kit in 1/12 scale manufactured by Model Factory Hiro (ref. MFH-K849, also 4580011508499 and K849)

During the 1950s and 1960s, Alfa Romeo commissioned coachbuilders such as Zagato and Bertone to build bodies to modify their road-going models into racing cars. This was a time when the lines between road cars and racing cars were still blurred. It was during this time that Zagato designed the Giulia Tubolare Zagato 1 (TZ1). Produced in 1963, it was based on the road-going Alfa Romeo Giulia but featured a tubular frame chassis and aluminium bodywork designed by Zagato. Added to this was an independent suspension system, resulting in a lightweight vehicle with a very sporty handling and capable of winning races. Around one hundred units of the Giulia TZ1 were built.

In 1965, the TZ1 was updated, becoming the TZ2, although retaining many of the features of the TZ1. In fact, the tubular frame remained virtually unchanged from that used on the TZ1. The main changes were to the FRP (fibre-reinforced plastic) bodywork, which further reduced weight, and to the engine, which was tuned for improved performance in competition.

As only 12 units of the TZ2 were built, the car could only participate as a prototype, as the regulations of the time for the GT class required the production of 50 cars for homologation. After a year and a half of being used by the official team, Alfa Romeo replaced the TZ2 with the Tipo33 for prototype racing and the Giulia Sprint GTA for touring car racing. During its time in competition, the TZ2 achieved several victories in the GT1600 class, including the 1965 1000 km of Monza, the 12 Hours of Sebring, the Targa Florio, the 1000 km of Nürburgring, the 6 Hours of Melbourne, the Giro d'Italia and the Criterium des Cevennes. It repeated some of these successes in 1966, including the 1000 km of Monza, the Targa Florio and the 1000 km of Nürburgring.