Alfa Romeo Giulietta SZ – #00184

by peter ruch Monday 17 February, 2025 Published in radical-mag.com

Überraschung

2011 wurde diese Alfa Romeo Giulietta SZ «Coda Tronca» mit Chassis-Nummer AR10126.00184 schon einmal angeboten, damals von RM Sotheby’s nicht verkauft. Unterdessen verfügt der Alfa über eine neue Farbe – und ganz neue Aspekte seiner (allfälligen) Geschichte. Es soll sich bei diesem SZ nämlich um das Fahrzeug handeln, mit dem der legendäre Schweizer Rennfahrer und Lamborghini-Importeur Karl Foitek 1962 bei den 24 Stunden von Le Mans angetreten ist. Foitek, 2019 verstorben, fuhr 1962 tatsächlich in Le Mans, zusammen mit Riccardo Ricci, mit einem von der Scuderia St. Ambroeus gemeldeten Alfa, das Team musste nach 22 Stunden und 225 Runden aufgeben. Ob es sich dabei wirklich um genau dieses Fahrzeug handelte, hmm, wer weiss das schon. Wir wundern uns etwas, dass dieser Aspekt seiner Geschichte 2011 anscheinend noch nicht bekannt war: Foitek war ein grossartiger Erzähler, verfügte über ein grossartiges Gedächtnis, plauderte sehr gern von seinen Rennen und anderen Abenteuern. Und so häufig war er nun auch nicht in Le Mans angetreten – 3x, um genau zu sein -, als dass er sich nicht mehr daran erinnert hätte. Wieauchimmer.

Chassis-Nummer: AR10126.00184
Motorennummer: AR1315.05459
Auktion: Gooding & Co., Amelia Island 2025, Schätzpreis 550’000 bis 750’000 Dollar, mit diesen Informationen: «According to Alfa Romeo Centro Storico, this SZ Coda Tronca, chassis 00184, was completed in March 1962, originally finished in white with black upholstery. Delivered later that month to the official Alfa Romeo dealer in Lugano, Switzerland, the SZ was sold new to Zurich-based car dealer and racing driver Karl Foitek. Registered in Zurich as “ZH 44465” and fitted with Amadori cast alloy wheels, 00184 made its debut with Squadra Foitek in April at the airfield races in Aspern, Vienna, where it placed 3rd in Class. Following an unsuccessful outing at the Nürburgring 1000 Km in May, Foitek prepared the SZ for the 24 Hours of Le Mans, where it was officially entered by the Milan-based Scuderia Sant Ambroeus, headed by Eugenio Dragoni and Elio Zagato. In preparation for the French endurance classic, the SZ was repainted silver and fitted with a large external fuel filler, Campagnolo wheels, and driving lights. Piloted by Foitek and Italian co-driver Ricciardo Ricci, 00184 retired in the 22nd hour after completing 225 laps. Foitek continued to campaign his Coda Tronca throughout 1962, capturing class wins in the Trophée d’Auvergne and Rheinland-Pfalz Preis. The following year, the SZ was sold to Swiss racer Gebhard Lippuner, who re-registered it in Zurich as “ZH 2688.” Between July 1963 and May 1965, Lippuner raced 00184, often under the Squadra Foitek banner, at major European venues including Monza, Norisring, Nürburgring, Solitude, and Zolder. Following its racing career, the Alfa Romeo remained in Switzerland, passing from long-term owner Arno Mark to Michael Storer in 1986. Three years later, Rudy Pas acquired the SZ and commissioned an Italian restoration, with bodywork by Autocostruzioni SD and a full mechanical rebuild by Autotecnica Conrero. After completion, the Alfa Romeo was displayed in the “Celebration of Zagato” class at Villa d’Este and competed in the Bologna-Raticosa Hill Climb. Dutch car collector Dr. Paul Schouwenberg acquired the SZ in 2007 and, in correspondence on file, describes Coda Tronca as “a scaled down version of the Ferrari 275 GTB/C with similar feelings of exhilaration and excitement.” After a few years in Ron Hein’s California-based collection, the SZ returned to Europe, where it was actively campaigned in historic races, including the 2018 Le Mans Classic. Since joining Ken Roath’s collection, the SZ has been refinished in its Le Mans livery and displayed among other thoroughbred Alfa Romeos. Included with the sale is a spare 750-series Giulietta engine (no. AR1315.05459), rear axle, tool kit, and jack, as well as an extensive history file that contains period photographs, detailed race records, restoration photos, invoices, correspondence, and copies of the 1962 24 Hours of Le Mans entry forms – even original ephemera from Gebhard Lippuner’s ownership, including his crash helmet.»