The 1995 Castagna Vittoria was an Alfa Romeo SZ-based prototype and debuted at the 1995 Geneva Motor Show. Castagna was a historic coachbuilder from the 1920s and 1930s, producing famous bodies for Alfa Romeo and Lancias amongst others before disappearing into history like so many famous names. However, in 1995 Italian businessman Uberto Petra revived the name and produced this Alfa SZ-based prototype, designed by Gioacchino Acampora, named the "Vittoria" after Petra's eldest daughter.
Based on the SZ/RZ limited run Alfa Romeo sportscar, which itself was based on an uprated Alfa Romeo 75 3.0 V6 floorpan and mechanicals. Castagna claims that their reworked 3.0 V6 engine produced 320 bhp @ 7,000 rpm ( against the standard car's 180 bhp ) while retaining the original single camshaft per head setup. The Alfa Romeo's front wishbone and rear de Dion suspension was upgraded with stiffer springs and dampers, nylon and rose jointed bushes, and revised geometry.
The brakes were uprated with Brembo 6-pot caliper, cross-drilled, and vented discs, while the prototype ran on 18in magnesium alloy wheels.
The styling was controversial. The front and rear ends seemed to have chunks missing. The front had an uncomfortable sop to the traditional heart, which sat in a void where the front bodywork should sit. The rear looked as if the designer had attempted to recreate the styling of the famous TZ models, but again it seemed as if sections were missing. The white color scheme with the front and rear ends detailed in black did nothing for the car's aesthetic looks, the overall appearance being disjointed and untidy.
Source: www.italiaspeed.com
Images: Castagna; www.finarte.it
