1958 Abarth 750GT Coupe

The Fiat-Abarth 750 Record Monza was a dual-purpose machine based on the Fiat 600 platform and evolved from the successful 750 GT. They were developed by the Abarth engineers at Torino and bodied by the Milanese coachbuilder, Zagato.

This particular example is believed to be an early example due to its 5.25-inch headlights, early red and ambler tail lights, and the simple 'Z' emblems displayed forward of the doors. It is believed that this may have been a factory-built Abarth race car. When it was acquired in 1961, it had offset black racing stripes, racing roundels on the doors, and no tail lights in the usual place on the fenders. It also had aluminum-framed Plexiglas door windows and Plexiglas rear quarter windows. It came with an 8,600 rpm tachometer with 6,600 rpm redline and a 180 km/h speedometer.

The car was acquired by the Leonard family of Wakefield, Rhode Island, in 1961. Around 1969 it was placed into storage. Years later it was removed from storage and restoration followed. It was given a correct Fiat 600 block sourced from marque specialist Mahlon Craft in 1989 and which was rebuilt to factory 848-cc specification. The engine was bored to 63 mm with a 68 mm stroke and given a high-lift Abarth billet camshaft, 9.5:1 compression Mondial pistons, and Fiat 850 Sport cylinder head with Beck Arnley/Eaton exhaust and intake valves.

Work had been entrusted to Creative Work Shop in August 1986 but by June of 1990, the work was halted for several years. In November of 1992, the car was sent to Euro Coach Work to complete the comprehensive restoration. After over a decade, and an excess of $100,000 spent in total, the work was finally completed.

In 2014 it was shown in the Zagato class at the Amelia Island Concours d'Elegance.

By Daniel Vaughan | Jul 2019

This car was purchased by the current owner's family in Wakefield, Rhode Island in 1961. The current owner started driving it off-road through the family cranberry bogs until acquiring his driving license in 1964. After high school, he continued driving it until he graduated college in 1969 at which time the car was put into storage. After many years overseas he returned home, moved to Florida, and decided to restore it. Time and corrosion had taken their toll. Creative Work Shop started restoration on August 1st of 1986. By 1990 restoration was not going as planned, so it was put back in storage. November 1, 1992, the car was brought to Euro Coach Works to complete the restoration. On September 25, 2003, 11 years later, the restoration was completed.