Lot 335: 1963 FIAT-Abarth Mono Mille 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 production cars, later building a succession of aerodynamically-stylish sports prototypes and limited-series production cars.
One of 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 latter was achieved by boring and stroking the 600's 633cc four-cylinder engine to 747cc and modifying or replacing just about every other component, the result being an increase in maximum power from 23bhp at 4,000rpm to 44bhp at 6,000 revs. The next stage of development saw the 750 equipped with an Abarth-designed double-overhead-camshaft cylinder head, models thus equipped being dubbed 'Bialbero' (Twin-cam). Abarth's diminutive coupés were soon dominating the small-capacity classes in international GT racing, often humbling cars equipped with engines double their size in the process.
For the next generation of Abarths the 600D engine was stretched still further, to 1,000cc for the Mono Mille, and was available in its original overhead-valve configuration or with the bialbero ’head. Braking was much improved on these later cars thanks to the adoption of Girling front discs.
This Mono Mille was sold new in Belgium in 1963, remaining in the original owner’s hands until it was bought by the specialist Abarth dealership Moerenhout, GMR in 1998, by which time it had covered only 60,000 kilometres (approximately 37,000 miles). The proprietor used the car briefly before selling it in 2001 to the third owner, Jean-Jacques De Galkowsky, who entered it in historic rallies and hillclimbs before selling it to the vendor. Freshly repainted, the car further benefits from recent servicing: the engine oil and filter having been changed, the brakes relined and brake fluid replaced. Competition modifications include racing seats (originals included in sale), roll cage, Tripmaster and a fire extinguisher, while the (non-original) engine currently fitted is an Abarth Tipo A112 unit. The car is offered with French Carte Grise, Contrôle Technique and transfer of ownership document.