Giant-killing Zagatos - and a rare Monomille

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We have no idea how many Fiat 600s Abarth and Zagato converted into their groovy dubble-bubble 750 Corsa models, but there must have been quite a few. Just take a look at this picture, taken at Monza in 1957 to see they were the common choice of racing drivers at the time. And not just in Italy. Many ended up elsewhere in Europe or even in the US. As a matter of fact, they were pretty successful there, too. In SCCA events the 1-litre Abarth was obliged to compete against rivals displacing up to 3.8 litres and still proved capable of winning!

Anyhow: three restoration projects are now offered for sale with Bonhams during their Greenwich sale on June 3. First of them is a recent barn discovery that is offered in running condition, although it will require either a restoration or careful recommissioning before regular use. The vendor describes it as follows: “This is a fairly straightforward car to get back to road condition thanks to its simple mechanicals and largely aluminum construction. Once back in action, it will reward its owner with a very fun to drive car eligible for many exclusive events.” See it here.

The other two are clearly less easy to put back on the road, although they are both a great basis for a rewarding project. First of them comes with its engine out and plenty of other bits and components in boxes (see it here). The other one looks like a similarly project. This one comes with the enlarged fuel tank “perhaps alluding to some past competition use”. See it here.

Last but not least there’s another giant-killing Fiat based sports car: a 1963 Fiat Abarth Monomille (1000) that’s been upgraded to Bialbero (double camshafts) specifications and is said to have over a hundred horses under its low-slung bonnet. The car has been in the US since new and has been seen on the New York Auto Salon of 1963. It’s had one owner since 1985. See it here. Oh, it’s not going to be sold cheaply, estimated to make $ 150- to 180,000. But then restoring the Zagatos won’t come cheap either..?

(Words editor, pictures Bonhams)

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