Fiat-Abarth 750 Record Monza: Small Car, Big Legacy
Racing Rarity - Back in the 1950s, when post-war Europe was hungry for progress and motion, Italy led a small revolution on wheels. Tiny, spirited cars buzzed through narrow streets, proving that performance didn’t always require a roaring V12 or a long, muscular body. Among them, a rare gem emerged—sleek, light, and fast. You may have heard of small Italian coupes like the Gocia before, but the Fiat-Abarth 750 ‘Record Monza’ by Zagato stood apart as a flawless blend of engineering precision and aerodynamic elegance.
The Fiat-Abarth 750 Bialbero 'Record Monza' by Carrozzeria Zagato, born from the humble Fiat 600, was transformed into a racing legend by Abarth’s brilliant engineering, with Carlo Abarth extracting remarkable performance from its small but mighty engine. (Picture from: Drive)
This particular model—built in 1959—was far from ordinary. Born from the bones of the humble Fiat 600, it was transformed into a racing legend by the brilliant minds at Abarth. Carlo Abarth, known for squeezing every last drop of performance from small engines, gave this tiny car a heart worth listening to. And with the help of Carrozzeria Zagato, that heart was wrapped in a lightweight, wind-cutting aluminum skin that looked as quick as it actually was.
The Fiat-Abarth 750 Bialbero 'Record Monza' by Carrozzeria Zagato, though small in stature, embodied a bold spirit with every curve crafted for performance while preserving its unmistakable Italian charm.(Picture from: OtoBlitz)
The result? A car that didn’t just look good—it performed on the world stage. The ‘Record Monza’ name wasn’t just a title. This car earned it. It was reportedly one of the Abarth entries that helped clinch victory at the grueling 12 Hours of Sebring in 1959, a race that demanded speed, reliability, and stamina. The very essence of the Fiat-Abarth 750 was on full display there: lightweight build, aerodynamic efficiency, and a surprisingly strong 747cc twin-cam engine churning out 57 horsepower at a screaming 7,000 rpm. That might not sound like much today, but in a car that weighed just 519 kg, it translated to a top speed of nearly 194 km/h (121 mph)—truly remarkable for its size and era.
The Fiat-Abarth 750 Bialbero 'Record Monza' by Carrozzeria Zagato featured a rounded roofline, tucked-in rear, and distinctive double-bubble design that enhanced both its striking appearance and aerodynamic performance.(Picture from: OtoBlitz)
Though small in stature, the Fiat-Abarth 750 ‘Record Monza’ was a giant in spirit. Every curve and line of its Zagato-built body was shaped for function and speed, yet it retained an unmistakable Italian charm. The rounded roofline, the tucked-in rear, and the distinctive double-bubble design all contributed not only to its appearance but also to its performance.
The Fiat-Abarth 750 Bialbero 'Record Monza' by Carrozzeria Zagato featured a cockpit with two bucket racing seats, a three-spoke steering wheel, and a simple dashboard equipped with instrument panels for water temperature, oil temperature, hydraulic gauges, and various knobs.(Picture from: OtoBlitz)
This was a car that was as clever as it was beautiful. Over the years, this particular unit saw its own journey. First registered officially in 1965, it had already lived a full and fast life on the track. After its racing days, it passed through the hands of private collectors, including a final known change in ownership in 2003.
The Fiat-Abarth 750 Bialbero 'Record Monza' by Carrozzeria Zagato powered by a surprisingly strong 747cc twin-cam engine churning out 57 horsepower at a screaming 7,000 rpm.(Picture from: OtoBlitz)
While its original condition by the mid-2010s required attention—especially to the brakes, electricals, and interior—the core of the car, including the engine and structure, remained remarkably intact. That level of preservation made it an incredibly rare find for collectors, even when it was up for auction during the Goodwood Festival of Speed in 2015.
The
Fiat-Abarth 750 Bialbero 'Record Monza' by Carrozzeria Zagato featured a
rounded roofline, tucked-in rear, and distinctive double-bubble design
that enhanced both its striking appearance and aerodynamic performance.(Picture from: Drive)
At the time, estimates valued the car at around £70,000, which was a bold price considering it more than doubled that of newer performance-oriented Abarths like the Abarth 695 EdizioneMaserati. But what made the ‘Record Monza’ so special wasn’t just performance or provenance—it was authenticity. Experts pointed out how well this model represented what a true classic should be: untouched in the right places, preserved with care, and undeniably true to its origins. | tLueyqQymNQ |
Today, decades after its original debut, the Fiat-Abarth 750 ‘Record Monza’ still captures attention. Not because it’s the fastest or most luxurious, but because it tells a story—of passion, design, racing, and an era when less really was more. It’s a reminder that greatness often comes in small, precisely built packages that carry history not in horsepower alone, but in the way they were dreamed, driven, and remembered. You might want to check out another similar car next—the 1959 Fiat-Abarth 850 Coupé Scorpione Allemano. *** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | CARS.BONHAM | CLASSICDRIVER | DRIVE | AUTOEVOLUTION ]
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Fiat-Abarth 750 Record Monza: Small Car, Big Legacy
This particular model—built in 1959—was far from ordinary. Born from the bones of the humble Fiat 600, it was transformed into a racing legend by the brilliant minds at Abarth. Carlo Abarth, known for squeezing every last drop of performance from small engines, gave this tiny car a heart worth listening to. And with the help of Carrozzeria Zagato, that heart was wrapped in a lightweight, wind-cutting aluminum skin that looked as quick as it actually was.
The result? A car that didn’t just look good—it performed on the world stage. The ‘Record Monza’ name wasn’t just a title. This car earned it. It was reportedly one of the Abarth entries that helped clinch victory at the grueling 12 Hours of Sebring in 1959, a race that demanded speed, reliability, and stamina. The very essence of the Fiat-Abarth 750 was on full display there: lightweight build, aerodynamic efficiency, and a surprisingly strong 747cc twin-cam engine churning out 57 horsepower at a screaming 7,000 rpm. That might not sound like much today, but in a car that weighed just 519 kg, it translated to a top speed of nearly 194 km/h (121 mph)—truly remarkable for its size and era.
Today, decades after its original debut, the Fiat-Abarth 750 ‘Record Monza’ still captures attention. Not because it’s the fastest or most luxurious, but because it tells a story—of passion, design, racing, and an era when less really was more. It’s a reminder that greatness often comes in small, precisely built packages that carry history not in horsepower alone, but in the way they were dreamed, driven, and remembered. You might want to check out another similar car next—the 1959 Fiat-Abarth 850 Coupé Scorpione Allemano. *** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | CARS.BONHAM | CLASSICDRIVER | DRIVE | AUTOEVOLUTION ]
