One to Buy: unrestored 1965 Abarth 1000 Bialbero Competizione Sibona & Bassano
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Unveiled at the Paris Motor Show in October 1958, Abarths new dual overhead cam 750 Bialbero Record Monza instantly became the car to beat in the sub 1-litre GT racing categories.
Based on Fiat’s eponymous 600 platform, these cute little Zagato-bodied Coupes ran riot during a 1959 season that most notably yielded class wins at the Sebring 12 Hours and Targa Florio.
Over the next few years, the twin cam Bialbero engine was enlarged, initially to 847cc and then 982cc.
The original Zagato-designed bodywork was also periodically refined in line with the latest aerodynamic understanding; by the time the final evolution emerged from the Sibona & Bassano works in for the 1964 season, that dinky little car from 1958 had evolved into a super streamlined weapon.
Currently on offer at the Historic Cars showroom in Paris is a remarkable survivor example of these ultimate 1000 Bialbero models: chassis 0129 0288
Supplied new to Dimitri Mollof for Squadra Corse Abarth France, chassis 0129 0288 was raced extensively at World and European level during the 1965 and 1966 seasons. It continued to compete in subsequent ownership until 1977.
Considering how competitive these cars were, they typically led hard lives; many pounded around circuits and up mountains for over a decade incurring no little damage along the way. To find such a machine which at 60 years old has never needed to be restored is remarkable.
