This particular Tubolare Zagato was supplied new to Ian Walker and Alan Day of London for use in their joint Walker-Day Racing operation through 1965. Ian Walker himself was a veteran former Lotus owner-driver, then entrant, whose Formula Junior and sports-racing Lotuses and particularly his GT racing "Gold Bug" Elans had achieved great success through the early 1960s.
Now he was poised to return with this Alfa Romeo TZ1 and its sister car, to be driven by two extremely promising young British drivers, Tony Hegbourne and Boley Pittard. This particular TZ1 was supplied via Alfa Romeo Limited, London, England, on March 26, 1965, and was finished at that time in red with black interior.
The two Walker-Day Racing TZ1s were prepared in workshops at Bristol-Siddeley Engines Ltd, The Hyde, Hendon, London NW9, and first time out-in the legendary Goodwood Easter Monday meeting-Tony Hegbourne finished 3rd in class in the 15-lap Sussex Trophy event.
The twin Walker-Day Racing TZls were then taken to Spa-Francorchamps in Belgium for the Spa 500-km classic in mid-May, and there Boley Pittard won the 1301-1600cc class in this car, completing 33 laps at an average speed of 113.77 mph, and placing 11th overall against Ferrari 250LMs, GTO/64s and the like. Competition successes of this car subsequently include Boley Pittard's 1st in class and 3rd overall at Crystal Palace, 1st in class and 3rd overall (behind David Piper's Ferrari 250LM) at Oulton Park, and yet another 1st in class and 4th overall, at Brands Hatch. Tragically, at Spa-Francorchamps, Pittard's teammate Tony Hegbourne sustained fatal injuries when his sister car, while running third in class, somersaulted at maximum speed on the Masta Straight.
After completing the Walker-Day Racing team's season, this particular car was said to have been sold into American ownership-eventually passing through a Houston, Texas, police auction sale to Steve Forristall before being brought back to Europe in the late 1980s by Swiss collector Erich Traber.
It was acquired from Traber by its current Swiss vendor in 1995, and has since been comprehensively restored. It has seen only road use since completion of that work.
The car's 1570cc twin-overhead camshaft four-cylinder engine has been fully rebuilt by Swiss specialist Heini Mader, the bodywork comprehensively restored and the interior fully retrimmed. The car's electrical system has been rewired to modern standards while its basic tubular chassis frame was sandblasted before repainting from bare metal, a process that revealed "no evidence of accidents."
{analysis} The vehicle described here sold for $125,272 (including commission) at the Brooks auction held at the Oldtimer Grand Prix in Nurburgring, Germany, August 7, 1999.
The Alfa Romeo TZ1 possesses attributes that make it desirable both as a collector's car and a ground-pounding competition machine. The striking Zagato coachwork wrapped over a welded tubular chassis, full independent suspension and the well-known Giulia drivetrain make the TZ1 a fast and reliable choice for both the weekend competitor and the more serious enthusiast with the Tour de France in his sights.
The restoration done while in Traber's ownership appears to be to very high standards and superficial examination offers no outward clues as to why this car sold for a figure very near the bottom of the SCM Price Guide. However, a close look at the engine bay supplies the answer. This car wears a single ignition cylinder head and lacks the plenum/air box that is normally bolted to the Weber carburetors.
These are expensive parts and should be considered standard wear on any high-priced and fully dressed TZ1. Given these shortcomings, the price of just above $125,000 was an average one for a restored car without the aforementioned equipment.-Michael Duffey
{/analysis}