1959 Fiat Abarth 750 GT Zagato

We are delighted to offer our new and truly charming 1959 Fiat Abarth 750 GT Zagato.

The 750GT Zagato was an early ‘race/street' creation. equally at home on the road or the track. It was based on the 1955 Fiat 600 platform. heavily modified by Carlo Abarth's new outfit and elegantly bodied by Zagato as an aluminium coupe with the notorious ‘double-bubble' roof. Weighing a mere 1. 80lbs. and 47bhp from the bored 750cc engine. it was both agile and fast.

Racing was bred into the design and the car soon started to deliver results. scoring a clean sweep of the 750cc GT Class at the 1956 and 1957 Mille Miglia. Abarth 750 GTs also took class and overall victories at the 1958 Sestrière rally. and four out of five finished the Sebring 12 hrs. Finally the marque went on to set 15 new records at Monza. racing for four days on track with its most noted achievement averaging a speed of 165. 376 kph for 72 hours.

The unique bubbled roof design gave the small cars cockpit a spacious feel even for tall drivers. This affordable miniature GT car was ideal for the private entry racer. the perfect ‘drive to the track. race and drive home' car and even today nearly 60 years on can be used in the same way at various vintage race and rallies.

This factory LHD car had spent some time in the USA and Europe before finding its way to the warm climate of Queensland. Australia. It was in the affluent area of Noosaville where it was subject to an extensive body off restoration by marque specialist.

As the Abarth 750GT was so capable on the racetrack. very few examples retained the finishing details with which they were originally supplied. Throughout years of competition. the interiors were gradually stripped. the stylish bumperettes front and rear disappeared. as did the chrome nose trim. rear grills. original glass and the petite alloy trim surrounds of the headlight covers. Fortunately. our highly original example has retained all these unique features; right down to the beautifully delicate aluminium side window wind deflectors and forged alloy trim pieces.

Its period factory specification interior was directly replicated from its original seats prior to the works and the original Jaeger gauges were also professionally rebuilt and reinstated into the dashboard.

During its rebuild the engine was uprated using an early 3-bolt 850cc case. Improving reliability and performance over the early 750cc block. The gearbox is the factory original handbrake version complete with its external Abarth specification tag. This was also subject to a complete overhaul. and rebuilt with new and very expensive bearings. The crown wheel and pinion are original Abarth and stamped Abarth & Co. as too are the sump. rocker cover and exhaust system.

The original wheels were restored finished with NOS Abarth spinner caps and Bridgestone tyres.

Over a period of 4 year this highly original useable classic was transformed into a concours show winner. taking multiple class rosettes in 2010/11 at; the Festival of Italian motorsport. NBCCC. ACCC Show. and Fiat Car Club to name a few.

Since then completion the car has covered less than 500 miles of road testing. and has proven ultra reliable.

Its fresh electrifying blue paint on a flawless alloy body demands the attention wherever it goes. What this little car lacks in size it makes up for in charm and character. Its cheeky personality is demonstrated once on the road. with low weight and high agility the 750GT makes for a great drive. raising a smile from even the most critical drivers.

It is not difficult to understand why values of these cars have been steadily rising. The opportunity to own a hand-built Zagato-bodied car with a superb competition heritage. completely usable on today's roads at such reasonable prices can't continue forever.

Also published at eBay.co.uk

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