Abarth 750/850 Zagato Bialbero

Abarth 750/850 Zagato Bialbero

The Abarth 750/850 Zagato Bialbero (bialbero meaning twin-cam in Italian) was one of the most successful small-displacement racing cars of the late 1950s and early 1960s. Based on the Fiat 600 platform, these tiny machines were transformed by Carlo Abarth's engineering genius and Zagato's lightweight coachwork into formidable competitors that dominated their class in racing events across Europe.

Carlo Abarth, an Austrian-born Italian engineer with a gift for extracting performance from small engines, developed a twin-cam cylinder head for the Fiat 600's four-cylinder engine. This Bialbero (twin-cam) conversion dramatically increased the engine's breathing capacity and willingness to rev. In 847cc form, the engine produced approximately 58 horsepower, a remarkable figure for an engine of this size that was based on a modest city car unit.

Zagato's contribution was equally significant. Their lightweight body, featuring the trademark double-bubble roof, was constructed from thin aluminum panels and weighed barely 530 kilograms complete. The aerodynamic shape, developed through Zagato's racing experience, minimized drag while providing stability at the high speeds these small cars could achieve. The result was a car that could exceed 160 km/h despite its tiny engine.

In competition, the 750/850 Zagato Bialbero was devastating in its class. These cars won countless class victories at Le Mans, the Nurburgring, Monza, and numerous other circuits. Their combination of light weight, efficient aerodynamics, and willing engines allowed them to run at speeds that embarrassed much larger-engined competitors, while their reliability and fuel efficiency gave them a strategic advantage in endurance events.

The partnership between Abarth and Zagato produced some of the most beautiful small cars ever made. The double-bubble roof, flowing body lines, and purposeful stance created a visual impression of speed and agility that accurately reflected the car's dynamic capabilities. These were serious racing cars that happened to be incredibly pretty.

Surviving examples of the Abarth 750/850 Zagato Bialbero are highly prized by collectors and historic racing enthusiasts. Their combination of beauty, racing provenance, and the sheer joy of driving a car that weighs barely 500 kilograms with a revvy twin-cam engine makes them some of the most engaging classic racing cars available.