The Alfa Romeo RZ has always been an acquired taste - presently, and when it was introduced in 1992. See, despite production of the 278 examples of this roadster ending in 1993, it wasn't until three years later, in 1996, that the lot was finally sold off. Today? Well, for a car that seems to be mechanically equivalent to a nice Milano Verde with upgraded camshafts, they demand around 10 times the cash! For perspective, keep in mind that the RZ sold for over two times the list price of a 164 when new.
That isn't to say that the RZ isn't worth some consideration. Unique thermoplastic body panels, though not dead simple to tool up, allowed for more palatable pricing in the lower production run in both the SZ and RZ. And, compared to a Milano Verde, the engine features a further 27hp by means of improved camshafts, a bump in compression ratio, and altered engine management. To that, add the Alfa 75/Milano IMSA style suspension, with helper coilovers at the front to supplement the torsion bars, as well as coilovers in the rear. Rubber bushings were replaced with stiffer materials, and the DeDion nose bushing swapped out for a spherical bearing.
Year: 1993
Model: Alfa Romeo
Engine: 3.0L V12
Transmission: 5-speed manual
Mileage: 9,090
Price: $115,000
Location: San Diego, CA
CLICK FOR DETAILS: 1993 Alfa Romeo RZ
Individual History: Completed in 1993 and exported to Japan but not sold new until August 10th, 2001 when it was road registered privately for the first time on Aichi, Japan plates "301 4616." On March 18th, 2005 it was sold privately to the second owner also in Aichi and registered on new plates "301 759." On November 6th, 2009, the registration was renewed on plates "303 4183." On April 8th, 2010, this Alfa was sold and registered on Ouayma plates "300 4314." On June 10th, 2014, it was sold again and reregistered on Kangawa plates "335 130." On February 6th, 2015, this Alfa was sold and re-registered on Tokyo plates "331 5517." On September 29th, 2015 it was purchased corporately and reregistered on Tokyo plates "300 4417 Registration remained Tokyo "30 4417 in dealer inventory from 2015 until sale of vehicle in May of 2018. Mileage at time of initial registration was less than 100 kilometers and vehicle was registered as a new vehicle, no previous owners or registration. No mileage discrepancies at each time of re-registation. Mileage officially recorded and confirmed by Japanese road-registration authorities on September 21st, 2012 at 12,700 kilometers. Mileage officially recorded and confirmed by Japanese road-registration authorities on September 2nd, 2014 at 13,500 kilometers. Mileage officially recorded and confirmed by Japanese road-registration authorities on at time of sale in May of 2018 at 14,500 kilometers. June 2018, Japanese road-registatino canceled, vehicle formally exported and imported to the Unites States July 2018, all services, safety checks completed. New tires installed.
Engine Compression Test Results: Cylinder No Pounds per Square Inch
1 185
2 190
3 190
4 194
5 192
6 190
RZs weren't available in many configurations; colors were limited red, black, yellow, and silver. Red seems to be the most common color for the coupes, while yellow fits the roadster a bit better. Inside, the Momo steering wheel is similar to a Montecarlo, but with an added pad around the horn button. We can attest that these look excellent when added to a GTV-6, and expect them to look just as good in an RZ.
While we would have a tough time talking ourselves into an SZ coupe over, say, a GTV-6, we can see the appeal in the RZ. It's the only transaxle roadster that Alfa produced, as well as the only factory Busso V6 roadster from the marque. Sure, it was a bit underpowered for 1993, but the overall experience is likely more than sufficient for a weekend roadster with some seriously edgy bodywork. We'll forgive a lot for that Busso exhaust note!
-Graham