When Alfa Romeo was acquired by then-rival marque Fiat in the 1980s, bosses knew the brand needed a model to capture the public’s imagination.

The result was a car that shocked the world, and one that still resonates after more than 30 years: the Alfa Romeo SZ.

A collaboration between Citroën SM stylist Robert Opron and Antonio Castellana at Centro Stile Fiat, the wild styling was put into production by Zagato using innovative design and construction methods.

The SZ was nicknamed Il Mostro, or “the Monster”, due in part to its angular thermoplastic injection-moulded composite body panels.

But also its potent 207-horsepower 3.0-litre V-6 engine, which delivered drive to the rear wheels.

In addition to boasting one of the best soundtracks of the period, the sharply styled SZ was also a spirited performer on the road.

Launched at a time when interest in low-number production cars was at its peak, many SZs found homes in collections and accumulated only low mileages.

That is likely ...