MY FEEDLY: 1957

Abarth Fiat 750 Zagato Berlinetta - 1957 by Perico001 Coachwork by Zagato

Bonhams : the Zoute Sale
Estimated : € 90.000 - 120.000
Sold for € 126.500

Zoute Grand Prix 2018
Knokke - Zoute
België - Belgium
October 2018

The performance of FIAT engines, as modified by Carlo Abarth, has for long been held to verge on the supernatural.’ – John Bolster, Autosport magazine.

‘After leaving Cisitalia in 1948, Austrian-born engineer Carlo Abarth set up as an independent in Turin, the home of the Italian auto industry. From producing induction and exhaust systems, Abarth branched out into selling performance kits for - mainly FIAT - production cars, later building a highly successful series of aerodynamically-stylish sports prototypes and limited-series production cars, many of which were produced in conjunction with Carrozzeria Zagato. An innovative concern with a sporting pedigree second-to-none, Abarth was taken over by FIAT in 1971, becoming the Italian giant’s competitions department.

One of Carlo Abarth’s most successful series of GT cars was based on the FIAT 600, the first of these handsome little Zagato-bodied coupés - the 750 - appearing in 1956. Famed for its expertise in building lightweight, aerodynamically efficient competition cars, Carrozzeria Zagato was the perfect choice for Abarth’s new venture, and has there ever been a prettier small coupé than the Abarth 750 Zagato? Zagato’s stroke of genius was the distinctive 'double bubble’ roof that gave both driver and passenger adequate headroom without the penalty of a tall windscreen.

Although the 750 was production based, the customer had such freedom of choice, including engine specification, that it is rare to find two identical cars. The 600 chassis was used with scant modification apart from changing spring rates and up-rating the front brakes to twin-leading-shoe operation, yet despite this apparent handicap coped remarkably well with the Abarth’s greatly increased performance. The latter was achieved by boring and stroking the 600’s 633cc four-cylinder engine to 747cc and modifying or replacing just about every other component, the result being an increase in maximum power from 23bhp at 4,000rpm to 44bhp at 6,000 revs. Tested by The Autocar magazine in 1958, the Abarth Zagato 750 GT scorched through the standing quarter-mile in 20 seconds on its way to maximum speed of 95mph, outstanding figures for such a small-engined car.

The next stage of development saw the 750 equipped with an Abarth-designed double-overhead-camshaft cylinder head that helped liberate 47bhp from the tiny engine, models thus equipped being dubbed 'Bialbero’ (Twin-cam). Abarth’s diminutive coupés were soon dominating the small-capacity classes in international GT racing. Indeed, in North American SCCA events the 1.0-litre Abarth was obliged to compete against rivals displacing up to 3.8 litres and still proved capable of winning!

Delivered new in Italy, this beautiful FIAT-Abarth 750 Zagato was restored in 1991 and between 1992 and 1996 participated in the Mille Miglia Storica with some success. Finished in red with original black interior, the car is registered in Belgium, having been imported in 2017 by the present owner, and is presented in generally very good condition. Mille Miglia-eligible, this FIAT- Abarth comes with photographs of it participating in the event; Belgian registration papers; and a FIVA passport. https://flic.kr/p/2dDZqCc

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