Alfa Romeo TZ2: Introduction

In late 2018 I completed the Model Factory Hiro kit of the Alfa Romeo TZ, later known as the TZ1 (click here for details). In retrospect that was a very nice kit of a lovely little production race car. 

MFH also made a kit of its successor, the TZ2, and I have now started it with the plan of leaving the superb tubular chassis exposed. It occurs to me I could also do a cutaway of the body on one side... food for thought.

The TZ2, made in very small numbers compared to the TZ1, had the same motor and layout, but the tubular chassis was reinforced and the body, now fibreglass instead of aluminum sheet, was bonded to the chassis for added strength. In the engine compartment, there was a new dry sump system and some other mods getting the 1.6 litre to 170 hp at a screaming 7000 RPM. It was enough to net this version 1st, 2nd and 3rd in the GT 1.6 litre class at the Targa Florio in 1966 (4th, 10th and 13th overall, respectively).

 

I started by straightening and shaping the various components making up the chassis, then painting them gloss black. Other bits are also called out as black but I'll be playing with colours to ensure the shape of the chassis stands out. Overall the kit is very similar to the kit of the TZ.

Then the basic engine and drivetrain was completed to verify decent alignment in the chassis.The pair of Webers, de rigueur in an Italian race car of this era, and the headers go on after the engine is installed permanently and the forward chassis tubing is complete. Still some ways to go! 

The engine has the usual MFH qualities, starting with the belt drive for water pump and generator made up of 11 pieces (nine of them photo-etched) plus the sticky tape.This is the classic Alfa twincam with the correct twin plug head, unlike the TZ kit which, incorrectly in my view, had only one plug per cylinder.

Engine is a nice fit but there are suspension bits to finish first. This will be critical in getting the car to sit square on its four wheels with a decent stance and no odd camber or toe-in characteristics. Stay tuned!