Friday, May 10, 2013

Fiat Abarth 750 Zagato Coupe (1956-65)

The Fiat-Abarth 750 is a compact sporting series of automobiles manufactured by the Italian manufacturing firm Abarth & C. of Turin, Italy in the 1950s and 1960s. The cars used the floorpan and often the bodywork of the Fiat 600 but were fitted with Abarth's modified engines. Abarth also offered a number of bodyworks by other designers for the 750 and its derivatives, most famously Zagato. There were three distinct Zagato models: 750 "Double Bubble," 750 Record Monza, and 750 "Sestriere." Allemano and others also offered different bodyworks. There were also other derivatives, which were sold as the Fiat-Abarth 850, Fiat-Abarth 1000, and Abarth Monomille. 


Fiat Abarth 750 Zagato Coupe (1956-65)

Originally the aerodynamic 750 Zagato "double bubble" had a single-cam engine. it was first presented at the 1955 Turin Motor Show. The original model was also offered in a more luxurious variant for export and a stripped down model with lower, uncovered headlamps and smaller taillights for the domestic Italian market. The export model was called "America" as it was almost strictly meant for the United States.

It was the car that made Zagato's signature double-bubble roof famous. Estimated to be 600 made.  Abarth boosted the original Fiat 600 22 bhp four cylinder engine to 47 bhp @ 6000 rpm. Top speed of 118mph. It was one of the most successful rally racing cars of the 50s & 60s. (wikipedia)



























































































































(Photos from sportscarshop.com, autowp.ru, ultimatecarpage.com, 
boldride.com, supercars.net & hemmings.com)




Fiat Abarth 750 Zagato Spyder (1957-61)


There was also a very rare Zagato Spyder version produced, only between two and four examples are believed to have been built. This model was first shown at the 1957 Turin Show, and it was then shown again the next year. The design has the usual sleek Zagato front end, with distinct fins at the rear. The bump on the engine lid came in for some period critique for disfiguring the overall design. Max power from Abarth's 747 cc engine is 44 CV (32 kW), enough for a top speed of 153 km/h (95 mph) in a period road test or 145 km/h (90 mph) according to Abarth themselves. The Spyder's list price in Italy was the same as for the berlinetta Zagato, 1,535,000 Lira in 1958. The 1958 Turin Show car had the twin cam engine, with similar performance to the berlinetta. 

With Zagato’s initial designs drawing only limited appeal, Abarth turned to Carrozzeria Allemano for the Fiat Abarth 750 Spider. (wikipedia)








(Photos from classicandperformancecar.com, bonhams.com & carstyling.ru)