Siata Fiat 750 - 1948 by Perico001 Coachwork by...

Siata Fiat 750 - 1948 by Perico001 Coachwork by Bertolini

Bonhams : the Zoute Sale
Estimated : € 250.000 - 300.000
Sold for € 270.250

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

Based on a FIAT Topolino and powered by a SIATA engine, the car offered here was built in 1948 by a Mr Bertolini, proprietor of a garage and body shop in Parma that made several small competition cars during the post-war period (see the book Le Sport by Curami). Needless to say, much more is known about SIATA than Mr Bertolini.

Founded in 1926 in Turin, Italy by Giorgio Ambrosini, SIATA (Societa Italiana Auto Trasformazioni Accessori) began life as a tuning firm specialising in the modification of FIATs. When the company, now renamed SIATA Auto Spa, eventually introduced its first production car in 1949, FIAT components, in this case sourced from the Topolino, were the logical choice for the new Amica cabriolet. During the 1950s and on into the ‘60s, a variety of US engines including Crosley, Ford, and Chrysler V8s was adopted in addition to FIAT’s home-grown motors.

SIATA was active in racing from its earliest days, and a Daina Gran Sport driven by Dick Irish and Bob Fergus won its class in the inaugural Sebring 12 Hours race of 1952, finishing 3rd overall ahead of many larger-engined cars. The nimble handling of these cars was highly regarded in the USA, where many were modified to accept larger engines. SIATA was also a regular competitor in the famed Mille Miglia race in Italy.

From arguably the most evocative period of post-war sports car racing, this particular car was made in 1948 starting from a FIAT Topolino chassis frame that was modified with additional tubular reinforcement. The engine is a SIATA 750 Type B fitted with Weber carburettors DR32, aluminium oil sump and inclined exhaust. The car was sold to Mr Musa, a gentleman driver from Parma, and entered in the 1948 Mille Miglia, Mr Musa’s co-driver being one E Maestri. They hit trouble during the race and did not finish. Later in 1948 the car was given to Mr Giuseppe Gilera, founder of the eponymous motorcycle company. Mr Gilera raced the car in the 1948 Coppa delle Dolomiti, and in 1950 it participated in several races including the Parma-Berceto. On the Italian registration documents we can trace changes of ownership in 1968, 1985 and 2012. It was around that time that this SIATA was completely restored by the famous KCA workshop in Milan, the engine being rebuilt by the renowned specialist, Facetti. The restoration was finished in 2013. Guaranteed entry into the Mille Miglia Storica, this charming little Italian sports car comes with continuous history since 1948 and a large book of photos and original documents including copies its old Italian registration papers. https://flic.kr/p/2dWqYfY

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

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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Fiat-Abarth 750 GT “Double Bubble” - 1959 by...

Fiat-Abarth 750 GT “Double Bubble” - 1959 by Perico001 Coachwork by Zagato

First presented in 1955, the Fiat-Abarth 750 GT Double Bubble Zagato was designed to compete in motorsport races of its day, built on a Fiat 600 chassis with aluminium bodywork by Zagato. It was immediately successful, most notably with a famous 1-2-3 in the sub-750 cc class to the final Mille Miglia in 1957.

London Concours 2018
Class : Fast
Honourable Artillery Company
London
England - United Kingdom
June 2018 https://flic.kr/p/28jTVGG

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