Zagato unveils new TZ3 Stradale with the heart of a Viper and the soul of an Alfa

The sumptuous TZ3 Stradale is part of a continuous celebration by Zagato of Alfa Romeo's centenary. So it's based on an Alfa, then? Well, not quite. Its underpinnings are actually much more serpentine than even the snake on the Alfa badge, borrowed as they are from the all-conquering Dodge Viper ACR, over which is draped a bespoke carbon fiber body. You can discern some key Zagato design elements from its similarity to the Perana Z-One (that's no bad thing) and the classic Kamm tail. But while this coachbuilt Viper doesn't borrow any mechanical bits from the marque to which it pays tribute, its design puts a decidedly contemporary spin on decades of collaboration between Zagato and Alfa Romeo.

The fourth model in the TZ line, the Stradale follows the original TZ and TZ2, and the more recent TZ3 Corsawhich was unveiled last year at Villa d'Este – the same location where, as we recently reported, an original TZ is set to cross the auction block. But while the Alfa-powered TZ3 Corsa was a strict one-off track car, the TZ3 Stradale (as previewed in Zagato's Christmas card) will be built in an edition of nine examples.

The first is going to noted American collector Eric King, the second and third examples already earmarked for customers in Japan and Europe. Ask really nicely and maybe one of the remaining six can be yours.