'From the Maine Classic Car Museum Collection'
1969 Moretti 500

The Scottsdale Auction|25 January 2024, 10:00 MST|Scottsdale, The Westin Kierland Resort & Spa

1969 Moretti 500
Chassis no. 110F0972235

650cc OHV Inline 4-Cylinder Engine (see text)
Single Carburetor
Approximately 50bhp at 4,600rpm
4-Speed Manual Transmission
Independent Coil-Spring Front and Trailing Coil-Spring Rear Suspension
4-Wheel Hydraulic Drum Brakes

*Believed to be one of fewer than 50 examples produced
*Upgraded engine with Abarth bits
*Beautiful livery
*A hand-built dose of Italian charm

THE MORETTI

Giovanni Moretti built the first Moretti motorcycles, light cars, and vans in the late 1920s. In 1945, he established Fabbrica Automobili Moretti SpA in Turin as a motor manufacturer, its first product being La Citta (The Town) a small two-seater "city car" powered by a 500cc twin-cylinder engine. Unusually for the time, Moretti produced its own power units rather than relying, like most of its Italian contemporaries, on FIAT engines. A range of small-capacity "fours" of 600cc and 750cc was developed; some with single overhead camshafts, others with twin-cam heads. For a small manufacturer, Moretti offered a bewilderingly diverse range of models including coupés, estate cars, commercials, and even electrically powered vehicles.

As an Italian, Moretti could not avoid involvement with motor sport, taking part in long-distance rallies and entering the Le Mans 24-Hour race with an attractive small sports prototype. In addition, the company built the occasional monoposto racer and later a Formula Junior car. By the early 1960s, it had become apparent that manufacturing was no longer sustainable. The firm turned exclusively to specialist coachbuilding, reorganizing itself as Moretti Fabbrica Automobili e Stabilimenti Carrozzeria SAS. A range of attractive sports coupés and cabriolets were offered on FIAT chassis, including an 850 that looked remarkably like a miniature Ferrari Dino. Then in the 1980s, Moretti introduced several small 4x4s on the FIAT 126, 127, and Panda platforms.

THE CAR OFFERED

Offered here is an undoubtedly charming and exceedingly rare Fiat Moretti 500. It is believed that fewer than 50 examples of the hand-built Moretti 500s left the factory, with far fewer having survived. This example is said to have spent much of its life in Italy, where it was lovingly restored in 2005 before making its way Stateside. In search of some grunt to match the sporting looks, the original 500cc engine was upgraded to a 650cc unit which has been massaged with an Abarth sump and sports exhaust. The fun, compact Fiat 500 is a superb foundation, but with the sporting looks of the Moretti body, an upgraded powertrain, and the fact that you are almost certainly never going to encounter another on the road, this hand-built Italian Coupe becomes the dose of La Dolce Vita that's been missing from your life.

Saleroom notices

Please note the correct technical specifications are as follows: 652cc, Type 126A1.000 2-cylinder engine, approx. 30bhp, transverse leaf spring front suspension. Believed by marque experts to be one of an estimated 150 surviving examples.

Additional information

This auction is now finished. If you are interested in consigning in future auctions, please contact the specialist department. If you have queries about lots purchased in this auction, please contact customer services.
Buyers Premium and Charges
The final bid (hammer) price of each lot will be subject to a buyer's premium.
For MOTORCAR property the premium is 12% on the first $250,000 of the bid price and 10% on any amount of the bid price exceeding $250,000.
For AUTOMOBILIA or non motor vehicle property, the premium is 28% of the first $50,000 of the bid price, plus 27% of the amount of the bid price above $50,000 up to and including $1,000,000, plus 21% of the amount of the bid price above $1,000,000 up to and including $6,000,000, plus 14.5% of the amount of the bid price above $6,000,000.
Buyers' Obligations
ALL BIDDERS MUST AGREE THAT THEY HAVE READ AND UNDERSTOOD BONHAMS' CONDITIONS OF SALE AND AGREE TO BE BOUND BY THEM, AND AGREE TO PAY THE BUYER'S PREMIUM AND ANY OTHER CHARGES MENTIONED IN THE NOTICE TO BIDDERS. THIS AFFECTS THE BIDDERS LEGAL RIGHTS.
If you have any questions about the Conditions of Sale, please contact your nearest client services team.
From 28 June 2025, the import into the EU of non-EU property of a certain age (and in some categories above a certain value) is subject to additional requirements. Under the relevant EU Regulation, it is the Buyer's sole responsibility to assess whether any Lot meets the criteria for import into the EU. The refusal of any required Import License or Importer Statement, or any delay in obtaining such License or Statement shall not give rise to the rescission or cancelation of any Sale, nor allow any delay in making full payment for the Lot.
Collection Notices
LOT COLLECTION DEADLINE: 12pm MST on Saturday, January 27, 2024
Uncollected Motorcar and Automobilia lots will be uplifted and stored by Passport Auto Transport. Uplift and storage shall be at the buyer's sole risk and expense. Motor vehicle removal and storage charges will be charged by Passport Auto Transport according to its standard rates and ultimate destination of the vehicle(s). For applicable charges, please
consult with Passport in advance of purchase.
Purchased lots become the buyer's risk once the hammer falls. Storage, collection, and uplift for paid and unpaid lot removal is at the buyer's sole risk and expense. Overseas buyers are strongly advised to make collection arrangements with Bonhams in advance of the auction.
Buyers may have an authorised agent collect their purchases according to the collection deadline. It is the buyer's responsibility to ensure that their designated agent has the auction venue details, bill of lading showing where the lot will be transported and proof of the buyer authorization for collection of the lot(s). Bonhams will release the lot only once all payment requirements have been met including payment of taxes and any applicable fees. Buyers and/or their agent are responsible for collecting all available parts, logbooks, title, keys and any other accompanying documents.
TRANSPORT ARRANGEMENTS
Representatives of Bonhams|Cars preferred carriers are available on site to provide shipping quotes and transport information.
Domestic Motorcar Transport
Passport Auto Transport
Contact: Ed Watts, +1 (417) 588 4921 or
mobile +1 (314) 496 6228
[email protected]
International Motorcar and Motorcycle
Transporters
Schumacher Cargo Logistics
Schumacher Secure
Contact: Warren Barnes, +1 (310) 626 7117
[email protected]
CARS (Classic Automotive
Relocation Services)
Contact: Alistair Forbes, +1 (310) 695 6403
[email protected]
Payment Notices
Payment Deadline: 12pm MST on Saturday, January 27, 2024
Cashiering Hours:
Thursday January 25 during and after the auction
Friday January 26 from 8.30am to 5pm
Saturday January 27 from 8.30am to 12pm
For buyers who plan to collect their purchases immediately, Bonhams strongly recommends paying by wire transfer, certified check (bank draft), or submitting a Bank Letter of Guarantee. The Bank Letter of Guarantee must be addressed to Bonhams and be in the name of the registered bidder. Credit cards are not accepted for Motorcar lots. Cash payments have a limit of $5,000. We strongly encourage contactless payment of invoices prior to collection. Lots will not be released to buyers until full and final payment is received by Bonhams. Payment made by personal or business check may result in property not being released until purchase funds clear our bank. Bidders may also pre-arrange suitable check or credit approval with Client Services.
Shipping Notices
Los Angeles & New York Auctions
If you have requested a shipping quote, we will send this to you via email within 5 business days of the auction ending.
Please note our shipping quotes are bespoke and require special care and handling from our team and shippers. Shipping will be booked after payment is received. Please allow 7-14 business days from the time of booking for packing and dispatch, depending on your chosen shipping method. If your purchase is time sensitive, or you wish to explore other options, please see our list of alternative third party shippers in New York and Los Angeles who may be able to assist you.
Oversized Lots
Please note that all lots marked with a W in the catalogue are oversized and subject to additional storage and shipping methods. All additional lots purchased with W lots are considered group lots and will be subject to the same terms as W lots.
W Lots will be transferred to offsite storage at DTD Fine Art Services at the buyer's risk and expense within five (5) business days following the auction. Please contact the Client Services team at [email protected] for the exact movement date.
The per-lot charges levied by DTD Fine Art Services are as follows (plus any applicable sales tax):
FURNITURE/LARGE OBJECTS
Transfer .................. $75
Daily storage........... $10
Insurance (on Hammer + Premium + tax) 0.3%
SMALL OBJECTS
Transfer ................. $37.50
Daily storage........... $5
Insurance (on Hammer + Premium + tax) 0.3%
Please note property is also subject to a Cross Dock Release Fee ($25 for Smalls and $45 for Furniture and Large Objects) & if charges are paid with a credit card, Door to Door Fine Art Services will charge a 3% Convenience Fee.
If you have any questions, please contact our Client Services team.
Boston & Marlborough Auctions
Please click HERE for detailed collection and shipping information for Boston and Marlborough auctions.
Special Car Dealer Notices
For all registerable Vehicles, Bonhams is acting as an Arizona dealer, number L00012102
- Automobilia
- Cars