Reviving its tradition of building special-bodied Alfa Romeos, including the original SZ (Sprint Zagato) competition coupé of the late 1950s, Carrozzeria Zagato unveiled its outrageous new SZ at the 1989 Geneva Salon.

Assembled at the Zagato works at Terrazano di Rho, the SZ was a joint project that also involved the styling departments of both Alfa Romeo and its parent company, FIAT.

The car's original works designation was 'ES 30' (Experimental Sports 3-litre) but soon became known within the company as 'Il Mostro' (The Monster).

The aggressive-looking two-seater coupé dispensed with the rounded styling and aluminium-alloy coachwork hitherto associated with Zagato's high-performance Alfas in favour of a dramatically angular bodyshell, crafted in lightweight moulded plastic, alloy roof excepted, which was bonded to the floor pan of the existing Alfa 75.

Lessons learned from the 75's IMSA racing programme influenced the SZ's suspension geometry, endowing the car with superb handli...