To Be OFFERED AT AUCTION WITHOUT RESERVE at RM Sothebys' Amelia
Island event, 8 - 9 March 2019.
Estimate:
$100,000 - $140,000
- Single-family ownership since 1961; lovingly nicknamed
"Clyde"
- Fully restored from the ground up, completed in 2003
- Presented at the 2014 Amelia Island Concours d'Elegance
- The quintessential small-displacement Italian sports car
- Ideally suited for vintage rallies and driving events
Widely considered Italy's most successful manufacturer of
small-displacement sports cars, Carlo Abarth built a remarkable
variety of "pocket racers" renowned for their lightweight, nimble
handling and thoroughbred pedigree. Abarths were true giant-killers
in competition, dominating the small-displacement classes and
challenging much larger competitors, especially at hill climb
events and demanding road races such as the Targa Florio.
An important example of the classic Fiat-Abarth, the 750 Record
Monza was a sporting dual-purpose machine. Based on the rugged Fiat
600 platform and evolved from the wildly successful 750 GT, the 750
Record Monza was in celebration of Abarth's numerous record-setting
endurance runs at the famed Italian Autodromo. Like its
predecessor, the car was carefully developed by the Abarth
engineers at Torino and bodied by the famed Milanese coachbuilder,
Zagato.
This Record Monza, chassis no. 441205, is believed to be an early
example due to its 5�-in. headlights, early red and amber tail
lights, and the simple "Z" emblems displayed forward of the doors.
The Abarth and Record Monza badges usually placed on the pillar
behind the doors were not originally found on this car, nor is
there evidence of them having been previously mounted to the body.
Early photos and details suggest that this car may have been a
factory-built Abarth race car. As acquired in 1961, it featured
twin, offset black racing stripes, racing roundels on the doors, no
tail lights in the usual place on the fenders, Plexiglas rear
quarter windows, and aluminum-framed Plexiglas door windows.
Furthermore, the car was equipped with an 8,600-rpm tachometer with
6,600-rpm redline and a 180 km/h speedometer. The Abarth also
showed the usual signs of racing "bruises" to its aluminum
coachwork, while the rear body panel was held on by four bolts for
ease of removal.
Acquired by the Leonard family of Wakefield, Rhode Island, in 1961,
Mr. Leonard's son, Peter, would drive the sprightly little car
around the family's cranberry bog until he acquired his driver's
license. He continued driving the Record Monza until he graduated
college in 1969, at which time the car was placed into storage.
Eventually, the Abarth was removed from storage and he set about
properly restoring it. A correct Fiat 600 block was sourced from
marque specialist Mahlon Craft in 1989 and which was rebuilt to
848-cc specification. This included boring the engine to 63 mm with
a 68-mm stroke and fitting a high-lift Abarth billet camshaft,
9.5:1 compression Mondial pistons, and Fiat 850 Sport cylinder head
with Beck Arnley/Eaton exhaust and intake valves, amongst
others.
The cosmetic restoration was initially entrusted to Creative Work
Shop in August 1986. By June 1990, however, with mounting bills and
little progress, Leonard halted the work for several years. In
November 1992, the car was sent to Euro Coach Work to complete the
comprehensive restoration. Just over a decade later, and over
$100,000 spent in total, the prized Record Monza was finally ready
to be enjoyed.
Having been driven and enjoyed in the ensuing 11 years at numerous
events throughout Florida, the Abarth was eventually invited to be
shown in the Zagato class at the 2014 Amelia Island Concours
d'Elegance. Sadly, several years thereafter, and some 4,900 miles
since its restoration, Mr. Leonard passed away in 2017. Having
spent nearly six decades in single-family ownership, the Leonard
family has decided to pass on their beloved "Clyde" to a new
steward in the hopes that it will continue to be enjoyed as much as
they did for a further 60 years.To view this car and others
currently consigned to this auction, please visit the RM website at
rmsothebys.com/en/auctions/am19.
