Alfa Romeo- ZENDER Milano
The Zender GmbH company was founded in 1969 by Hans-Albert Zender, and during the 1970s, '80s, and '90s, it became a highly respected wheel supplier for a wide range of vehicles across various brands. Notable examples include Opel, VW, and Audi. Our interest, however, lies with Alfa Romeo.
Although they bear the Zender design and name, the actual casting for the German tuning house was handled by renowned Italian and German foundries specializing in both OEM and aftermarket wheels (often the Italian specialist Speedline or other certified foundries that held TÜV certification).
In the case of the Milano wheels, Zender drew inspiration from the legendary wheels made by Speedline. We know these, for example, from the Alfa Romeo 75 ASN (Allestimento Speciale Numerato), where they came in a 14-inch size, or from the stunning, legendary SZ, where they were fitted in a 16-inch version with staggered widths front and rear. This setup aimed to increase rear-axle grip while improving handling and steering lightness at the front. Those original wheels were true two-piece, multi-piece bolted wheels.
Zender thus manufactured wheels in more universal dimensions to meet demand from a wider spectrum of Alfa Romeo models. At the same time, these wheels were stronger and less complex, as the perimeter rivets were merely decorative inserts, while the wheel itself was a one-piece cast. They can be found in both 4x98 and 5x98 bolt patterns. Wheels of this design could also be ordered for the Alfa Romeo 145/146/155 models in 15- or 16-inch sizes. For the Alfa 164 and SZ, the 17-inch variant (7.5Jx17, ET 25, 30, 35) fit like a glove, perfectly filling out the wheel arches and giving the car a more elegant, mature stance. Furthermore, they featured an aesthetic detail that gave them incredible charm—a combination of a polished face and painted inner accents inside the circular holes, as seen in the photographs below.
Considering that Zender went out of business back in 2005, its wheels have over time become highly sought-after among enthusiasts and collectors. Finding an original set in good condition today is rare. If you are lucky enough to find one, you must expect the price to reflect that, usually ranging between €2,000 and €3,000 for a set.
Photo: Filip Hron 2026