At first glance, this Fiat may look like it be would be better off in the scrapheap. On closer inspection though he peeling paint reveals an aluminum body underneath and that hood ornament looks suspiciously familiar. That’s because this rare racer was built by the great Italian tuning house, Abarth. The floors are completely rotted out and the engine has been replaced with a Crosley unit, but I’d love to see it restored. Take a look here on eBay and let us know if you think it’s still a possibility.
Is it just me or does the back look like it should be on the front? Well, I suppose that since the engine is out back, the vents should be back there too.
In stock form this would have had a tiny Abarth tuned 750, but I bet the Crosley engine that was put in its place made this lightweight a screamer.
The task of bringing this car back to life isn’t going to be for the inexperienced or underfunded though. You’re going to have to know what you doing or know someone who does. I’ve always liked to looks of these little cars, but unfortunately I dont think I’m up to the task. Anyone here willing to take it on?
I read his listing, but the seller neglected to say what part of the Pacific Ocean he stored this in…
I’m still waiting for you to say something nice and or positive.
Another one left to it’s own devices. I am sure someone NEEDS this little car. It does appear to be built backwards. I figured out pretty quick it was a rear engine car though. I’d like a driver. Let me know when this one is done.
… and speaking of lightweight, it’d be a howler now. Especially given how close your butt would be to the pavement. Maybe Fred or Barney would be interested!
Kinda looks like art right now….
Park it at the corner of Carnegie & E40th.
What’s holding it together?!!???
gravity?? cute though
Not to be Debbie Downer on this car, but I’m envisioning a years-long and painful restoration, only to be disappointed on that first drive, because the car is too small and underpowered. Kinda like my Renault Caravelle.
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to all from steamy Tampa.
Whopping 83deg in Plant City Fl
This reminds me of a car that I saw years ago in a Salvation Army used-car lot. The Army isn’t too picky about giving you a tax credit for your donation, so somebody had taken advantage of their largesse to drop off a red foreign roadster. It had no top (of course), was full of leaves up to the beltline, and had survived the trip just long enough to break in half in the middle of the parking lot. I walked around it several times trying to figure out what in the world it was, but there were no logos on the carcass and the styling was unfamiliar. There might have been some identification on the dash, but it was under six inches of leaves and damned if I was going to put my hand in there to find out. I hadn’t thought of that sad little heap for years until I saw this mess–hey, thanks for the memories!
JESSE
This is a ‘relatively rare’ standard Fiat Abarth Allemano Spider in street trim. It’s not a ‘racer’ as found though many 750cc Allemano Spiders were stripped of their street equipment and campaigned successfully as SCCA H production racers.
“bet the Crosley engine…made this a lightweight screamer”… It’s possible that the modified Crosley engine made as much power as the 750cc Abarth, but only if there were significant internal modes would the Crosley have equalled the standard Fiat Abarth. A likely reason for the swap would have been the low cost of the Yank vs the Italian original. Not unlike the American V8s that temporarily replaced Ferrari V12s in the ’50s and ’60s except the Crosley didn’t offer the advantage of greater displacement and power.
This car – sad as it is – is eminently restorable and probably will be. Some hard to source parts are on the car, others will require effort to round up. Fiat 600 replacement floor pan panels are readily available and a modified Fiat 600D or more easily a Fiat 850 coupé or spider engine will provide sufficient power and can be disguised to appear, at first glance, to be ‘correct’.
As you stated restoration of this machine is not for the inexperienced and that’s before one gets to the aluminum panels and the corrosion of dissimilar metals (steel & aluminum). Odds are professional restoration is in this car’s future although someone might opt for a ‘cheap fix’ (relative term) vintage racer.
James, you are completely correct. It is an Allemano Spider. The body is made entirely of aluminum. I have a very close friend who had one just like this (albeit in better condition) and the 750 engine put out plenty of power for such a light weight car. The engine put out all of 44 bhp, but the car only weighed 1200 lb.
http://www.uniquecarsandparts.com.au/specifications/abarth/1959_abarth_750_spider_allemano.htm
http://bringatrailer.com/2012/04/13/bi-coastal-spider-1959-abarth-750-allemano/
ran when parked
I don’t think I have ever seen one of these but I do remember the Fiat Abarth 750 “Double Bubble” coups.
Marion Webber of MG Mitten sports car accessories in West L.A. had one in a nice shade of purple. She showed it at the Le’ Circle Concourse in Santa Barbra, Ca. on a few occasions.
On another occasion I had to have a test drive in one and it was a blast!
4 hours left, bidding over 4500 already. wow.
i guess there is a brave soul out there after all.
Not likely to be restored in my opinion. Too far gone.
For whatever its worth MG MItten was at 36 So Chester in Pasadena (I worked there 8 years) you may be thinking of Villam B Haan in West LA which was a competitor or Anything Ltd (worked there too!) in West LA both were on Santa Monica Blvd