The car that established Alfa Romeo in the 1.3-litre performance class — from Bertone Sprint to Zagato SZ.
The Giulietta Sprint was the first Giulietta model introduced — at the 1954 Turin Motor Show — and the car that established Alfa Romeo in the 1.3-litre performance class. All variants share the 1,290 cc DOHC inline-four (designed by Giuseppe Busso) in different states of tune.
The Sprint Normale and Sprint Veloce were built at Bertone's Grugliasco plant; the Sprint Speciale at Portello; the SZ by Zagato in Milan. The Sprint Veloce introduced plexiglass sliding side windows and weight reductions bringing the car to 780 kg. The Sprint Speciale was Franco Scaglione's aerodynamic masterpiece — a drag coefficient of 0.29 Cd, making it the world's fastest 1.3-litre production car at 200 km/h.
The Sprint Zagato originated when Elio Zagato reclothed a crashed Sprint Veloce for the Leto di Priolo brothers after the 1956 Mille Miglia; the resulting SVZ's competition success led to the production SZ from 1960. From 1954 to 1965, 177,690 Giuliettas were produced in all body styles.
The SZ Coda Tronca is among the most valuable Giuliettas; the Sprint Veloce Alleggerita and early Sprint Normale with full documentation are rising steadily; the Sprint Speciale remains undervalued relative to its rarity and design significance.
| Variant | Years | Production | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Giulietta Sprint (Normale) | 1954–1962 | 24,084 | 2+2 coupé by Franco Scaglione at Bertone; 1,290 cc DOHC I4, 80 hp at 6,300 rpm; 4-speed manual; 880 kg; top speed approximately 142 km/h. |
| Giulietta Sprint Veloce | 1956–1962 | 3,058 | 90 hp at 6,500 rpm; plexiglass sliding side windows; 780 kg; top speed approximately 180 km/h. A lightweight Sprint Veloce Alleggerita was built by Bertone in small numbers; separately, Zagato's SVZ rebodies (approximately 19 cars, 1956–1958) preceded the production SZ. |
| Giulietta Sprint Speciale (SS) | 1959–1963 | 1,252 | Aerodynamic two-seat coupé by Franco Scaglione at Bertone; 100 hp at 6,500 rpm; 5-speed manual; 860 kg; 0.29 Cd; top speed approximately 200 km/h. First 101 cars had lightweight aluminium panels for homologation. Continued as the Giulia SS (1.6L) from 1963. |
| Giulietta Sprint Zagato (SZ) | 1960–1962 | 217 (Stellantis Heritage); ~220 including SVZ variants (Classic.com) | Competition coupé bodied by Zagato, designed by Ercole Spada. Two body styles: Coda Tonda (round tail, majority, 1960–1961) and SZ2 Coda Tronca (Kamm tail, fewer than 40 examples, 1961–1962). 100 hp at 6,500 rpm; 5-speed manual; 770 kg; top speed approximately 215 km/h. |
Authenticate stamped chassis and engine numbers against factory or club records. For the Giulietta Sprint family specifically, verify assembly plant against variant (Grugliasco / Portello / Zagato Milan), confirm the correct Tipo 00120 engine and 4- or 5-speed transmission for the variant, and distinguish SZ Coda Tonda from SZ2 Coda Tronca and from the earlier SVZ competition cars.
Confirm body originality, panel identity and restoration standard against a marque specialist.
Confirm continuous service history and any rebuild history for the engine, transmission and driveline against a marque specialist.
Restoration standard, originality of body and driveline, and any documented ownership record are the main value drivers.
Regional ranges authored independently — each reflects its local market, not an FX conversion
Each region quoted in its local currency — independent market readings, not FX conversions
Readings span an excellent Sprint Normale to an excellent Sprint Veloce; the Sprint Speciale and SZ trade in separate, higher markets — the SZ between approximately $200,000 and $467,000.
Authored against aggregate public-market data and named price guides as set out in What to Pay; regional readings are independent, not FX conversions.
| Date | Auction | Car | Mileage | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024-03-01 | Gooding & Company Amelia Island Auctions 2024, Lot 126 | 1960 Alfa Romeo Giulietta SZ (Coda Tonda) — chassis AR10126.00153 Delivered new to Milanese racing driver Guido Bruno Cattaneo; offered from a significant collection of Zagato-bodied sports cars; correct Tipo 00120 engine. Verified directly from the Gooding & Company lot page (July 2026). | — | $417,500 Sold |
The SZ Coda Tronca is among the most valuable Giuliettas; the Sprint Veloce Alleggerita and early Sprint Normale with full documentation are rising steadily; the Sprint Speciale remains undervalued relative to its rarity and design significance.
Our view, not advice. This section is Car Collector International's editorial judgement on where this model sits in the collector market, based on the production, specification and market data set out in this guide. It is not a recommendation to buy or sell and it is not investment advice. Values can fall as well as rise.
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The valuation figures in this guide are for research purposes only and do not constitute financial or investment advice. See our full disclaimer.
