The Gran Sport was inspired by an article published by Italian car magazine Quattroruote,[1] and was built in collaboration with Milanese coachbuilder Zagato.

[2] Alfa Romeo supplied a purpose-built bare chassis to Zagato, where the bodies were hand-built and the cars finished.

[4][3] The 1,570 cc Alfa Romeo Twin Cam inline-four engine produced 92 PS DIN (68 kW; 91 bhp) at 6,000 rpm, for a top speed of 155 km/h (96 mph).

The body was made of aluminium panels over a tubular framework, after Zagato's traditional construction method.

There was no boot lid, as a spare wheel was carried at the rear, and the luggage compartment was accessible from behind the seats.