Price: $95,000
We are pleased to have available a 1959 Fiat Abarth Zagato Double Bubble. This former race car has an attractive stance that looks fast even when parked. Few complete running, driving Zagato bodied cars come to market each year and the prices have been escalating rapidly as savvy collectors discover that Zagato made very few of these perfectly scaled designs. The Fiat Abarth 750 is still the most reasonably priced of all the Zagato coach built cars that include Alfa SZ’s and Aston Martin DB4 GT’s. The real purpose of this 750cc alloy bodied, 1240lb car was to be a fierce competitor on racetracks around the world. In class the car was nearly unbeatable and when properly driven could embarrass cars with much more displacement. This particular car is finished in a complementary Aston Martin green metallic paint that really shows off the spectacular details and lines of the Zagato design. The VIN is 100-631966 and engine number is 100-040-2135376.
In post-world War War II the Italian economy was still rebuilding and Zagato competed with many other small coach builders for work to keep their companies solvent. With this iconic design, Zagato in a single stroke both insured its financial future and cemented its place as the most recognized of Italian coach builders. The now classic “Double Bubble” roof was a necessity on the diminutive Abarth 750 if a 6 foot person was going to be able to drive it. This instantly recognizable shape is one of the most beautiful body designs ever produced for a closed car. The shape was so successful it was applied to a handful other later models such as the Aston Martin DB4 Zagato.
This particular car has a very solid chassis and alloy body. It is a former vintage race car and is still fitted with an unobtrusive rear rollbar. The engine is extra crisp and the gearbox shifts smoothly. We have made the interior more street friendly by refitted rubber floor mats and replacing the race seat with the original seats. The driver’s side floor is original and solid, and the passenger side has only the front section patched with sheet metal. The underside pictures will show how tidy the 52 year old hand-built car is. The suspension is excellent and not too stiff. This Zagato was campaigned in the Northeast in the 80′s and 90′s then retired to dry storage. We acquired it from the owner who had it since the 70′s. We have rebuilt the entire brakes system using new master and wheel cylinders. It is fitted with the ultra rare Abarth race option three pot front disc brakes, so we rekitted the special Girling calipers with original parts and repacked the bearings. The cooling system was fitted with all new hoses and clamps while the main Abarth radiator was cleaned and rebuilt. The optional auxiliary front under car radiator was cleaned and tested. The entire fuel system was removed and cleaned for added insurance.
The car retains its original badges, most of the original interior and all the glass, with the exception of one smaller rear quarter window that was been replaced with Plexiglas. The engine is an uprated 850 model with higher compression, special alloy Abarth oil pan, uprated camshaft and with a 250 Ferrari Weber carb fitted. According to the former owner the gearbox is fitted with full Abarth ratios. A special transaxle stabilizer was also fitted to secure the gearbox when running hard. We installed a new battery and fitted a gear reduction starter to replace the weak Italian unit and enhance reliability. The wheels are original Abarth seven vent 12 inch as original. The rear wheels fill the wheel wells to perfection as they were widened to provide better handling to the rear engined car. The stinger exhaust is classic race Abarth, but it could be a bit loud for street use. It retains the original special steering wheel and all the Jaeger gauges are still in the alloy dash. The special Abarth 8,000 rpm tachometer is a race original and the original tachometer drive is fitted to the engine under distributor, but will require a new cable since the original is frozen. Do note the last picture shows the car with the Abarth hubcaps and spinners fitted. They are included with the car.
Overall this is a solid car that would be a great addition to start or expand a collection. This car is reasonably priced in today’s market and will be sold. Feel free to call Bob Macherione @ 541-342-1520 wk or 541-543-6791 cell if any questions.
Price: $95,000
