Footnotes

Offered here is an early production 3rd Series 750 GT. While the first owner is not known, the car was in the hands of Harris J Sobin by the early 1970s. Sobin, an architect and University of Arizona professor, displayed the Abarth at the Pebble Beach Concours d'Élégance in 1992. Dissatisfied with not winning a prize, he commissioned a complete restoration, spending years gathering parts and information from sources in Italy.

When purchased from Professor Sobin by the immediately preceding owner in 2010, the Abarth was completely disassembled, its restoration unfinished. The rebuild was completed under the supervision of Jay Armstrong, a noted Abarth specialist. The year-long project included a repaint to the correct shade of red, matched to a colour chip supplied by Zagato to Professor Sobin. In addition the interior was upgraded from vinyl to leather, and all new electrical wiring was installed. As the Abarth 750 GT was so capable on the racetrack, very few survivors retain the finishing details with which they were originally delivered. This car has all these trim pieces, all too often discarded, even down to the beautifully hand-wrought alloy wind stops inside the rear quarter windows, and the delicate side window wind deflectors. Also of note is the all-original glass and a full complement of original dashboard instruments.

This car has a correct 750 GT engine, with high compression Abarth pistons and a stronger, upgraded, mild competition Nardi crankshaft. Breathing through the rare original air filter, the correct Weber 32 carburettor sits on an Abarth intake manifold, while the cylinder head incorporates polished inlet ports, dual valve springs, and large inlet valves. The 8-quart magnesium oil pan and an up-rated cooling system ensure that the new owner will be able to exploit this car's full performance potential. The works carried out are detailed in a file of over 100 pages (perusal recommended).

Following the restoration's completion this Abarth was shown at the 2011 Palo Alto Concours, winning a class award, and then displayed at the invitation-only Carmel-by-the-Sea 'Concours on the Avenue' and 'The Quail, A Motorsports Gathering' in August 2011. The Key Collection purchased the car at Bonhams' Scottsdale Sale in January 2012 (Lot 352). Whether admired on the show field or blasting down a scenic road, this superb FIAT Abarth 750 GT Zagato is sure to provide enjoyment far out of proportion to its compact size.

Should the vehicle remain in the UK, local import taxes of 5% will be added to the hammer price.