Saturday, December 9, 2017

Fiat Abarth 750 Spider Allemano (1958-59)

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 but also Allemano and others.

Many of Carlo Abarth's clients pronounced their preference for open cars in competition, rather than the closed Gran Turismo designs, and he knew that a successful proposition in the US marketplace could generate tremendous profits. Accordingly, he commissioned a Spider styling study from Zagato based upon the 750 GT. He was disappointed when Zagato's initial studies attracted only a muted response, and so turned instead to Carrozzerian Allemano, famous for their work with Maserati throughout the 1950s. They adopted and finalized an original roadster styling study by Giovanni Michellotti. The result of their combined efforts upon Carlo Abarth's behalf is a Spider that may be described as being entirely unique, sleek and sporty while retaining a an unmistakably-Italian period charm. Powered by a 747cc inline 4-Cylinder engine with a 2-barrel Weber carburetor. It is believed that Allemano built a small number of these 750 Spiders for Abarth, and they are especially difficult to find. (bonhams.com & goodmanreed.com)















































































































(Photos from bonhams.com, coachbuild.com & hiveminer.com)