Surprise
This Alfa Romeo Giulietta SZ ‘Coda Tronca’ with chassis number AR10126.00184 was previously offered in 2011, but did not sell at RM Sotheby’s. Since then, the Alfa has been repainted – and new aspects of its (possible) history have emerged. This SZ is said to be the car with which the legendary Swiss racing driver and Lamborghini importer Karl Foitek competed in the 1962 24 Hours of Le Mans. Foitek, who died in 2019, actually did compete at Le Mans in 1962, together with Riccardo Ricci, in an Alfa entered by Scuderia St. Ambroeus. Whether it was actually this car, well, who really knows. We are a little surprised that this aspect of his story was apparently not yet known in 2011: Foitek was a great storyteller, had a great memory, and loved to chat about his races and other adventures. And he hadn’t competed at Le Mans so often – three times, to be exact – that he couldn’t remember it. Anyway.
VIN: AR10126.00184
Engine: AR1315.05459
Auction: Gooding & Co., Amelia Island 2025, estimate 550’000 to 750’000 Dollar, with these informations: «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.»
Of course, we have already described this Alfa Romeo Giulietta SZ in detail, here. And otherwise there is the archive.
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