This masterpiece is a result of Carlo Abarth’s obsessive production of high performance, small displacement race cars. But we have others to thank for this gem, including Fiat, who made the chassis and drivetrain; and Zagato, a master in the art of metal shaping, who styled the body. The 1960 Fiat Abarth Zagato Coupe “Sestriere” presented here is for sale at Broad Arrow’s private sales department, for $112,000. Said to be in single-family California ownership from the 1960s to 2010, and still wearing its vintage black plates, this Abarth was treated to a restoration at some point, while preserving its crucial original components. We have Araknid78 to thank for finding yet another interesting exotic for us – thanks!
While every Abarth is rare, the Sestriere was built for privateers – of the racing kind. Consequently, surviving numbers are few. Meanwhile, the value of any Abarth is mostly in its tail end. Special mechanical bits including a specifically-constructed radiator, billet crank, Abarth intake and cylinder head, a Weber 32 IMPE carburetor, and so forth stamp the cars as factory-original – and since very few remain in original form, collectors will pay up when one is found. This engine is believed to be its numbers-matching 747 cc inline four-cylinder, as indicated on the car’s title. Tuned to within an inch of its abilities, an Abarth can be temperamental, and for all the trouble you may encounter, you’ll see only 40 hp from this car. The gearbox is a four-speed manual.
The interior is typically Italian – elegant and delicate. The lovely steering wheel, tiny toggle switches and slender gear shift are offset by bold Veglia gauges. This example is showing wear on surfaces including hazing of its chrome bits, marking the effects of the passage of time and at least some use after the restoration was performed. The seat upholstery, however, is in fine condition still.
Those large air scoops are hallmarks of the Sestriere. This model was sometimes made in steel, sometimes in aluminum – and it lacks the “double bubble” roof line of other Zagato 750s. Despite an illustrious race history, rarity, and an exotic engine, Abarth prices have stagnated. This 750 GT by Zagato sold last year for $78,400 including buyer’s premium, and it received a meticulous recent restoration in inspiring colors. Our subject car has sat on the market for several months; the consignor may be growing flexible on price. An offer of around $80k might be seriously considered.
I’ve said many times, as a good old American Yank, we were sheltered from such cool cars from around the world, almost as if on purpose. Not mentioned, but looks like Fiats answer to the bathtub Porsche. Too bad a Porsche would leave this in the dust, but I bet a fun car to drive. I always wondered, if Europeans ever heard of a 1960 Pontiac Bonneville?
Great question, Howard!
In fact it’s Abarth versus Abarth, because when Porsche decided in the late 50’s to get away from the volks wagen image and into the sports cars world, it employed Carlos Abarth to make a sport engine out of the VW 1.6 lt engine.
Did not know this. I need to learn more about Abarth.
Never heard that before….
What’s your documentation for this assertion? I’ve never heard that either.
Really? Have you driven both, back to back? (The revered Porsche 356 is actually a pretty mediocre car, such that its 70 vs 40 hp advantage doesn’t amount to as much as you might think.)
What are you responding to?
As clearly indicated by the site’s indentation of my comment (yes, it *sometimes* works here), I was responding to the post above that referred to the 356 and then asserted “Too bad a Porsche would leave this in the dust.”
Got a friend who owns an Abarth street version of the line of cars made over the years. Pure light weight and an engine that will wind up to 10,000 pm makes for a pretty fast car. Beautiful example here.
Looking at this automobile is like hearing a beautiful classical piece where one of the violinists is out of tune. Where’s Hannibal Lecter when you need him? (watchers of the movie will know). That c-pillar and awful rear deck scoops ruin the otherwise gorgeous looks of this car. Couldn’t the stylists rig something that would channel air a little more discreetly?
Beauty is in the eye of the beholder. I think the car looks sexy.
I know a guy with a shop who has had one of these stuffed in a back corner for about 20 years. It smacked its front end in the early 70s and someone used a ball-peen hammer to very roughly bash it back to its original dimensions, gave up and forgot about it. It might still be there, I haven’t asked about it for a long time. I don’t know what the plan is but I think the owner might have abandoned it. My friend hasn’t taken any action and seems content to let it gather dust and rot away.
I would definitely follow up on that car and try to get it passed onto someone that can get it on the road. It’s not doing anybody any good just collecting dust.
Karmann Ghia’s rich cousin?
very nice
Love the badging, the stance… would be funny to disguise the air scoops as a luggage rack, but the whole car is beautiful!
The “double bubble” Abarth was the car that I wanted badly many years ago. The values have grown substantially . The Abarth as shown here is a very fast auto when properly tuned and even modded with dual Weber’s, dual valve springs, extractor exhaust, etc. . Many wins accredited! I think this is a good investment but lacks the double bubble roof which could bring its value into the $200,000 segment. Still, would welcome it into my collection with my Abarth 500!
Stant radiator cap? C’mon!
Every collector car was once an old used car.
I dont believe Abarth had anything to do with Porsche engines. They were building their own 1500 and 1600 motors by the mid 50’s and, though they look like VW motors, they have no common parts apart from the fan belt and pulley!.What you are thinking of ,I believe, is Abarth’s involvement with the 356B.When Porsche came out with the B it was heavier than the preceeding A.Porsche went to Abarth to build some aluminum bodies for the B cars for racing. I think they builkt 20 Abarth Porsche 356Bs and boy are they gorgeous and valuable..love all things Abarth.
The guy to get more horsepower out of a small engine in the mid 50’s was C. Abarth. The 356’s engine excellent output was partly due to Abarth’s improvements, apart from the body parts that he contributed during his involvement with 356.
Please prove it. Where’s your documentation? If you don’t have any you’re just blowing smoke.
The guy to get more horsepower out of a small engine in the mid 50’s was C. Abarth. The 356’s engine excellent output was partly due to Abarth’s improvements, apart from the body parts that he contributed during his involvement with 356.
At least the alternators of VW and Porsche are almost the same. A rare case of failure in my 911’s alternator happens equally rarely in VW cars.
Thanks Michelle, all little Fiat’s are fun. 73/74 here in the UK we had a fuel crisis. Paid £12-50 for a 600. Needed a little work, warped head took 25 though off, two rear shocks, cleaned an earth wire for off side head lamp. The worst job was cleaning the head lining, car had belonged to a nurse took 3 cans of spray cleaner to remove the nicotine stain. Owned the car for a year sold it for £25. Bought a Ford 100E Pop for £10 a little work another years motoring. Would have kept the the Fiat but I needed something bigger for my spares shop.
I adore the Popular. Wish we had more here. I think I’ve seen maybe 2 in my life, and both were in Canada.
Aside from a 600 based Berlina Corsa, most of the Abarth competition cars were the Allemano 750 and and Zagato 750 GT (i.e. double bubble). I did see one Sestriere on Dan Parkinson’s lot circa 1961, but never saw one on the track.