Abarth 750 Zagato
The Abarth 750 Zagato is the car that established Abarth as a serious constructor of racing sports cars rather than merely a tuner of Fiats. Built on the Fiat 600 platform, it combined Carlo Abarth's obsessive engine development with Zagato's legendary lightweight coachwork to create a car that was far more than the sum of its parts.
The engine was based on the Fiat 600's 633 cc unit, enlarged to 747 cc by Abarth's engineers. With a higher compression ratio, revised valve timing, larger valves, and careful porting, the tiny engine produced approximately 47 horsepower — roughly double the output of the standard Fiat unit. This was the Bialbero (twin-cam) version that became Abarth's signature engine type, though many 750 Zagatos used the simpler pushrod Derivazione engine.
Zagato's contribution was equally critical. The aluminum body weighed a fraction of the standard Fiat steel shell, bringing total car weight to just 535 kg. The body featured Zagato's trademark double-bubble roof, a steeply raked windshield, and smooth, aerodynamic surfaces designed to minimize drag. Every panel was shaped with competition in mind — there was no wasted weight and no unnecessary ornamentation.
The result was a car with an extraordinary power-to-weight ratio for its displacement class. Despite having less than 50 horsepower, the 750 Zagato could reach 155 km/h and handled with the agility of a much smaller, lighter vehicle. On the tight, technical circuits and hillclimbs that were the staple of European motorsport in the late 1950s, it was devastatingly effective.
The Abarth 750 Zagato won its class at virtually every major European racing event between 1956 and 1961, including Le Mans, the Mille Miglia, the Targa Florio, and the Nurburgring 1000 km. Its dominance in the small-displacement GT classes was so complete that it effectively discouraged competition. The car also proved its reliability, with many examples completing 24-hour races without mechanical trouble.
Approximately 627 examples were built in various configurations (Record Monza, Sestriere, and other designations), each with slight variations in engine tune, body detail, and equipment. Today, the 750 Zagato is one of the most desirable and valuable small-displacement racing sports cars, regularly appearing at the most prestigious concours events and historic racing meetings worldwide.
Authentication is critical given high values — verify through Registro Abarth and Zagato records. Aluminum bodywork does not rust but can crack and corrode at dissimilar metal junctions. The tiny engine is a precision piece requiring specialist rebuilding. Fiat 600 running gear is available but Abarth-specific components are scarce. Many cars have been raced and rebuilt multiple times — provenance and competition history are key value factors. A pre-purchase inspection by a recognized Abarth specialist is essential.
Approximately 627 units were built across various sub-models (Record Monza, Sestriere, etc.) between 1956 and 1961. Each car was essentially hand-built, with Abarth preparing the mechanicals and Zagato constructing the bodywork. Variations between individual cars were common. Both the pushrod 'Derivazione' engine and the twin-cam 'Bialbero' engine were offered, with the Bialbero being rarer and more valuable.