Lot 409: 1959 FIAT-Abarth 750 Record Monza Bialbero Coupé

An innovative concern with a sporting pedigree second to none, Abarth branched out from producing induction and exhaust systems into selling performance kits for - mainly FIAT - production cars, later building a succession of aerodynamically stylish sports prototypes and limited-series production cars.
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. 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 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!
First registered ‘6 PPJ’, this car was sold originally via Anthony Crook, Abarth’s UK distributor and famous Bristol specialist, whose dealer plaque remains on the kick plate, while the accompanying old-style continuation logbook (issued 1966) records four owners in London up to the end of 1967. Subsequently the car passed into the ownership of Sumner Anthony (Tony) Standen, a respected Porsche and Etceterini expert. Many years later the Abarth was inherited by his son, Julian Standen, record producer of performers including ‘Siouxsie & The Banshees’ and ‘The Lemonheads’. The car was kept in storage for some time until Julian, who did not drive, decided to sell it; subsequently passing through a number of hands before being treated to a body and mechanical restoration (circa 2003) that included having the engine rebuilt to racing standards. Equipped with chromium piston rings, high-lift camshafts and twin Weber carburettors, the motor is reputed to have recorded 61bhp on the test-bench. Since coming into the vendor’s possession, the car has undergone light re-commissioning at renowned Abarth specialists Middle Barton Garage (in 2006) and has not been used since. Believed to be one of only three right-hand drive, matching numbers 750 Zagatos in existence, this wonderful little car is offered with MoT to October 2007 and Swansea V5.