Uploaded January 2022 | Updated September 2026, 1 day ago
If you've been following this channel for a while, you probably know that one of my favorite #AlfaRomeo models is also one of the less celebrated: the Junior Zagato. Here's the story of these innovative little coupés from Milan.
By the late 1960s, Alfa Romeo had successfully established itself as a small yet profitable specialist manufacturer, the pride of Italy's vast landscape of state-owned companies. With a healthy balance sheet and a burgeoning Italian economy, it was the perfect time for niche projects like a stylish two-seater coupé aimed at younger buyers: a somewhat sportier and more dashing alternative to the established Giulia GTs. #Zagato
Ercole #Spada worked on the proportions to give the car a sense of dynamism even when standing still, with a relatively long, dart-like front and a short rear overhang. However, this necessitated a modification of the existing floorpan and a new fuel tank design, as the shorter tail no longer left space for it. Production of the Junior Zagato equipped with the 1.3 liters engine ended in 1972 after a mere 1108 copies were produced, but that wasn't the end for this model, which was relaunched with a 1.6 liters engine the same year. The updated Junior Zagato's production ended in 1975 with just 402 examples made.
It may not have set the world alight when new, but the Junior Zagato nevertheless is one of Ercole Spada's most remarkable designs, at least in my view.
The exclusive merchandise you can buy to support my channel:
roadster-life1.myspreadshop.com
My automotive books:
Six Appeal - The Story Of The Alfa 6
amazon.com/dp/1793931046
Alfa Romeo Giulietta - The Story 1977 - 1985
ENGLISH: amazon.com/dp/1983393746
ITALIAN: https://www.amazon.it/dp/B098GVJ7RK
Alfa Romeo Arna - The Full Story 1980 - 1987 amazon.com/dp/1656632500
If you've been following this channel for a while, you probably know that one of my favorite #AlfaRomeo models is also one of the less celebrated: the Junior Zagato. Here's the story of these innovative little coupés from Milan.
By the late 1960s, Alfa Romeo had successfully established itself as a small yet profitable specialist manufacturer, the pride of Italy's vast landscape of state-owned companies. With a healthy balance sheet and a burgeoning Italian economy, it was the perfect time for niche projects like a stylish two-seater coupé aimed at younger buyers: a somewhat sportier and more dashing alternative to the established Giulia GTs. #Zagato
Ercole #Spada worked on the proportions to give the car a sense of dynamism even when standing still, with a relatively long, dart-like front and a short rear overhang. However, this necessitated a modification of the existing floorpan and a new fuel tank design, as the shorter tail no longer left space for it. Production of the Junior Zagato equipped with the 1.3 liters engine ended in 1972 after a mere 1108 copies were produced, but that wasn't the end for this model, which was relaunched with a 1.6 liters engine the same year. The updated Junior Zagato's production ended in 1975 with just 402 examples made.
It may not have set the world alight when new, but the Junior Zagato nevertheless is one of Ercole Spada's most remarkable designs, at least in my view.
The exclusive merchandise you can buy to support my channel:
roadster-life1.myspreadshop.com
My automotive books:
Six Appeal - The Story Of The Alfa 6
amazon.com/dp/1793931046
Alfa Romeo Giulietta - The Story 1977 - 1985
ENGLISH: amazon.com/dp/1983393746
ITALIAN: https://www.amazon.it/dp/B098GVJ7RK
Alfa Romeo Arna - The Full Story 1980 - 1987 amazon.com/dp/1656632500
