1995 Castagna vittoria
Castagna was a historic coachbuilder from the 1920’s and 1930’s 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 claim that their reworked 3.0 V6 engine produced 320 bhp @ 7,000 rpm (against the standard car’s 180 bhp) while still 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.