Beschreibung:

*750cc high-compression Abarth engine *Iconic "double bubble" body style *Remarkably complete example *Pebble Beach Concours veteran *Dual purpose race/touring car *Meticulous fully documented restoration *Interior fully trimmed in leather From high efficiency exhaust systems in the 1930s, Karl (later Carlo) Abarth branched out into other performance parts for Italian cars small and large. In the early years after WWII he became the Italian distributor of Porsche and through that connected Ferry Porsche with Piero Dusio of Cisitalia to realize the Type 360 Grand Prix racer project. Cisitalia was forced into bankruptcy shortly thereafter and as a consultant to the company, Abarth was awarded most of the assets of Cisitalia as payment for his work. He developed the last of the Cisitalia chassis as Abarths, and then turned to building original Fiat-based cars. Abarth hit his stride when the Fiat 600 of 1955 was launched, for in addition to supplying tuning parts, he developed an enlarged 750cc version of the 633cc engine, selling "derivazione" or "derivation" kits to dealers and garages for fitting into stock 600s. He also built complete cars in his factory, the best known of which were sleek, lightweight Zagato-bodied competition cars. The Fiat 600 Derivazione 750 Abarth Zagato made its debut at the 1955 Turin Auto show and began its racing career in 1956. It quickly established itself as a winner in European events and made a sweep of the first three places in the 750cc class at the 1957 Mille Miglia. The cars were equally successful in the US, on all types of tracks across the country. Later versions were nicknamed "Double Bubbles" for the distinctive roof humps made for enhanced headroom. Abarth was also a very clever businessman. His affordable miniature GT car was ideal for the private entry racer, the perfect "drive to the track, race and drive home" car. Through a sponsor partnership deal secured with Fiat, he was paid for every win or second place a "Fiat Abarth" scored. Offered here is an early production example from the third series of the 750GT, introduced in 1958. While the first owner of this iconic sports car is not known, by the early 1970s it was in the hands of Harris J. Sobin. Sobin, an architect, University of Arizona professor and pioneering architectural preservationist, displayed the Abarth at the Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance in 1992. Dissatisfied with not winning a prize, Sobin commissioned a complete restoration of the car, spending years gathering parts and information from sources in Italy. When purchased by the vendor from Professor Sobin in May, 2010, the restoration remained unfinished, with the Fiat completely disassembled. In preparing to begin a new restoration, the vendor reports that examination of the stripped shell revealed no evidence of rust or any accident damage. It was also determined that it was unlikely that the car had ever been raced. The restoration was done under the direction of Jay Armstrong, a noted Abarth specialist. The year-long project included stunning paint to the correct Zagato shade of red, matched to a color chip supplied by the Zagato works to Professor Sobin. In addition the interior was upgraded from vinyl to leather employing seven full hides and all new electrical wiring was installed. As the Abarth 750GT was so capable on the race track, very few examples retained the finishing details with which they were originally delivered. Through years of competition, the interiors were gradually stripped, the stylish bumperettes front and rear disappeared, as did the chrome nose trim, rear grills and the delicate alloy trim surrounds of the headlight covers. This car has all these pieces, down to the beautifully hand-wrought alloy wind stops inside the rear quarter windows and the delicate side window wind deflectors. Also of note is that all the original glass is still fitted and all the original instruments are in the dashboard. The heart of the car is a correct Fiat