The Fiat-Abarth 750 GT Double Bubble Coupé is the kind of quirky compact sports car that defined the Abarth tuning firm in the 1950s and ’60s. Its Zagato-designed coachwork helps gives it an unmistakeable profile that still turns heads today. As these little cars were developed with the race track in mind many have led particularly hard lives and un-abused original cars are very rare. This particular example is an early production 3rd Series 750 GT, built in 1958. Its original owner remains unknown, so the car’s traceable history begins when it found its way into the hands of Professor Harris J Sobin in the 1970s who, after walking away without a trophy at the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance in 1992, decided to commission a full restoration.
The work apparently did not go as planned, and when the vehicle next changed ownership in 2010 it was sold in a completely dissembled state, although still with the majority of its original components, including the original dashboard instrumentation, door and window glass and minor trim pieces. A year-long rebuild followed, under the supervision of Jay Armstrong, a noted Abarth specialist. The work carried out was painstakingly detailed in a 100-page document. Perhaps unsurprisingly the little 750 GT won a class award at the 2011 Palo Alto Concours.
It was subsequently purchased by the Key Collection in January 2012 for $111,150, where it has remained until now. The Fiat-Abarth 750 GT will once again be offered for sale at this weekend’s Goodwood Member’s Meeting, where it will form part of Bonhams’ classic car offerings. The bright red little sports car is estimated to sell between $118,000 and $157,000, a price it must surely achieve given its comprehensive restoration and high level of originality.
Images courtesy of Bonhams
