1971 Alfa Romeo Junior Zagato

Built in 1971 and imported into the UK in 2005, ‘PHJ 510K’ is a subtly modified Alfa Romeo Junior Zagato that was the subject of a comprehensive restoration around fifteen years ago.

Carried out by its first UK keeper, this included replacing the standard 1.3-litre engine with a period-correct two-litre unit for a bit more pep.

The seller is the Zagato’s second UK owner, and it’s been in his hands for the past eight years or so during which it’s had a recent respray in addition to a heated windscreen from Alfaholics.

Thus equipped, it’s ready to do battle with 21st century traffic and weather, all the while looking a million dollars.

The body panels fit incredibly well; the restoration might be fifteen years old by now but it’s holding up very well as everything still aligns well, including small details like the fuel filler flap.

It’s also free of dents, dinks, including vulnerable areas like the four corners.

The fresh red paintwork is super-glossy with an incredible shine and no obvious flaws or damage; keep polishing it regularly and you’ll continue to draw attention whenever you stop.

The 14-inch, five-spoke alloy wheels are also in great shape and the tyres are matching Pirelli P3000s.

We will never get tired of telling you that experience shows that matching high-quality tyres are an infallible sign of a caring and mechanically sympathetic owner who is prepared to spend the appropriate amount in maintaining their car properly.

Other wonderful features include the faired-in headlamps with the eight holes that fed the Ram Air induction system; bullet-shaped and chromed door mirrors; chrome ‘clapping’ windscreen wipers with neat folds in the bonnet to give them sufficient clearance; jewel-like indicator repeaters in the front wing; and a diminutive front bumper that’s complemented by a double-decker jobbie at the base of the Kamm tail.

The all-important Zagato and Alfa Romeo badges are in place and looking sharp, the lamp lenses are bright with no cracks, and the rubber trim on the bumpers is in good shape.

All of which means we can’t find anything for the new owner to do.

The cabin is every bit as gorgeously designed as the coachwork with Zagato front seats, beautifully designed controls, comprehensive instrumentation, and a twin-spindle Blaupunkt radio.

The left-hand drive layout is perfectly set up to pamper the driver with a stunning wooden steering wheel, a gearlever that sprouts out of the bulkhead to fall easily to hand, angled instruments, and dainty pedals making this a car that’s as much fun to drive slowly as it is quickly.

The Zagato front seats have cloth in the centre and leather bolsters. They still look firm and supportive, and their condition is very good indeed with only the very gentlest of creasing to the leather outers and one small scratch to the inner bolster of the passenger’s seat. The cloth centre panels are taut and undamaged.

Polished metal covers the tops of the doors and the transmission tunnel, and the black carpet mats have the Alfa Romeo logo.

The famous rear hatch “has an electric motor that opens it about an inch or so. This is helpful when you have the window ajar, and the wind harmonics go bananas in the cabin!”

Two additional VDO instruments have been fitted in the centre console.

The boot is a good size, is nicely trimmed, and plays host to a full-size spare steel wheel, tool kit, and hazard warning triangle. It also contains a tailored indoor car cover.

As for faults, the seller tells us that the driver’s seat back doesn’t lock in place and slips back.

Cosmetically, there is a split in the top of the dashboard on the offside, the trim has come away from underneath the dashboard on the same side, and the headlining is sagging.

As you can see, the period-correct two-litre engine starts very well with an addictively gruff note thanks to the twin Weber carburettors and large foam air filter. It idles nicely too and shows good oil pressure on the gauge.

The rev counter is a little tardy but we expect you could live with that because the seller tells us that it is “a hoot to drive” and “quirky, a typical Zagato-bodied car that looks better today than it did in the 80s!”

The original 1.3-litre engine has been retained and comes with the car.

The engine bay is nicely presented without being overly fussy. It’s clean and tidy and we imagine most folk would be happy to leave it as it is but if detailing is your thing then you could certainly spend a happy day under there making it your own.

A battery cut-off switch has been fitted next to the battery, which will come in handy during storage or if you want to add a layer to your car’s anti-theft protection.

The underside is well presented with no obvious problems that we can see.

The recent Vehicle History Check is clear, and the Alfa comes with a V5 registration document in the seller’s name.

Internet sleuthing suggests the Alfa was imported here in 2005 after being bought from Almere Classic Cars in the Netherlands. It was then restored here and then “used to compete in the Cento Ore of Modena and the Tour d'Espana as well as travelling to France.”

The Alfa doesn’t have a current MoT certificate, and while it is exempt by virtue of its age, we would strongly encourage the new owner to have it MoT’d at the earliest opportunity. The cost of an MoT is a small investment when offset against the purchase and upkeep of any classic vehicle, and it gives an independent, third-party assessment of the car’s condition, which not only provides reassurance to the owner (and any subsequent purchasers) but might also be invaluable in the event of a bump when negotiating with the police and any interested insurance companies…

Dry-stored in a clean garage, the little Zagato simply isn’t being used very much anymore, hence this reluctant sale.

But the seller’s loss could be your gain because it’s a cracking little thing, seemingly well fettled and very nicely preserved.

With a guide price of between £40,000 and £45,000, it isn’t going to be terribly expensive either; not cheap, of course, but good value nonetheless because these delightful little coupés are rare and increasingly sought-after, and this is one of the better ones we’ve seen.

Viewing is strongly encouraged, and this lot is located at Bonhams|Cars Online HQ. Viewings are STRICTLY BY APPOINTMENT and we are open weekdays between 10am - 12pm or 2pm - 4pm. To make a booking, please use the ‘Enquire About This Vehicle’ button on the listing. Feel free to ask any questions, or try our ‘Frequently Asked Questions’.