1959 FIAT Other Fiat Models

To Be OFFERED AT AUCTION WITHOUT RESERVE at RM Sothebys The Monterey Auction event, 13 - 15 August 2026.
Offered Without Reserve $175,000 - $250,000 USD

• One of four similar examples campaigned by Team Roosevelt racing during the 1959 SCCA racing season
• Class winner at the 1959 Nassau Governors Trophy (small-displacement race), and 2nd in class at the 1959 Sebring 12 Hours
• Comprehensively restored to its period racing appearance in the 1990s during a 30-year ownership; retains numbers-matching engine
• Class winner at numerous regional concours delegance during the 2000s
• Fascinating, historically significant example of Abarths celebrated small-displacement giant-killer

At the Turin Motor Show in May 1955 Abarth introduced a new sports-coupe based on the rear-engine Fiat 600. The original cars 600 cubic-centimeter engine was increased to 750 cubic centimeters, the running gear underwent racing upgrades, and the chassis was adorned with new aluminum coachwork by Zagato.

At the 1958 Paris Salon Abarth unveiled the next progression, now dubbed the 750 Record Monza Zagato in honor of multiple records set at Monza. A month later the final triumph debuted at Turin with the fitting of a new twin-cam engine head designed by ex-Ferrari engineer Gioacchino Colombo. Dubbed the Bialbero, Italian for twin-cam, the new model went on to dominate small-displacement classes in international GT racing, continuing to showcase the racing genius of the Scorpion.

According to research conducted by former owner Mahlon Craft, chassis number 550486 was reportedly dispatched from Zagato in January 1959, finished in dark red paint over a light blue interior, and registered with Italian export tags reading TO 712. After preparation by Abarth, the car was exported to the Roosevelt Automobile Company in the US. Owned by Franklin D. Roosevelt Jr., son of the legendary American president, this company was an official Fiat importer that also functioned as a springboard for FDR Jr.s racing team.

At the Sebring 12 Hours in March 1959, this Record Monza was one of four such cars entered by Team Roosevelt. Wearing race #62, the Bialbero was driven by Remo Cattini and Lanzo Cussino to 2nd in class. The 750 was then campaigned at no fewer than nine SCCA events over the seasons remainder, finishing as high as 3rd overall at the Presidents Cup at Marlboro in late April, and 3rd in class at Cumberland in May. In December 1959 the Fiat-Abarth was entered as #81 at the Bahamas Speed Week, and Paul Richards pushed the car to a class win at the Friday Governors Trophy, and 2nd in class at the Nassau Memorial Trophy two days later.

By late 1960 the Fiat-Abarth was sold to John William Denton, and he ran the car at Savannah in November 1960, and at the Chimney Rock Hillclimb in 1961. Denton owned the Bialbero for 10 years before selling it to Steve Doran, who kept the car for another three years before it was acquired by Doug Hoffman. In 1977 the Record Monza briefly passed to Herbert Bailey before being sold to a local sports car dealership, by which time the car was refinished in white.

In 1984 the Fiat-Abarth was acquired by Mahlon Craft, and he fastidiously researched the cars history, making a number of conclusions based on physical evidence related to the cars racing configurations, registration, and cosmetic colors. In 1994 a restoration commenced, for which Mr. Craft managed to source the cars numbers-matching engine (which had been exchanged into one of the other Roosevelt team cars in period). A number of rare authentic parts were sourced, including a Bialbero racing exhaust, Abarth billet-steel half-shafts, oversize Alfin drum brakes, and a long-distance fuel tank.

Tivvys Autocraft corrected the Zagato coachwork as needed before a fresh finish in rosso was applied by Alfas Unlimited. Automotive Restorations of Stratford, Connecticut, upholstered the original Zagato seat frames with beige vinyl, and trimmed the interior with new Wilton wool carpeting. The finishing touch was applied with the addition of a Nardi wood-rimmed steering wheel.

Following completion of the restoration by 1996, the 750 Record Monza participated in a number of vintage events and concours delegance, winning its class at the 1999 Greenwich Concours dElegance and at four different vintage festivals held at Lime Rock, Connecticut, between 2000 and 2013. In June 2014, after 30 years of dedicated ownership, Mr. Craft sold the Bialbero to enthusiast Sergio De La Vega, and the car was acquired in April 2019 by the consignor, a collector residing in Southern California.

The Fiat-Abarth then received a small bout of freshening by Fast Cars Ltd. in Redondo Beach, California, including attention to the gearbox, throttle, front brakes, and electrical system. Three years later a new clutch assembly was installed by the Thermal Club. With its fascinating period racing history and remarkable performance specifications, this charming Bialbero is a beautifully presented giant-killer that offers considerable racing thrills or the pride of concours exhibition. To view this car and others currently consigned to this auction, please visit the RM website at rmsothebys.com/auctions/mo26/.