Perhaps Italy’s most successful manufacturer of small-capacity 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 like the Targa Florio.

An important example of the classic Fiat-Abarth, the original 750 Record Monza was a sporting dual-purpose machine designed to be at home on both road and track. 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, it was carefully developed by the Abarth engineers at Torino and bodied by Zagato, the Milanese coachbuilder famed for its extensive use of aluminium and aerodynamic designs.

Introduced in 1959, the new Fiat-Abarth was immediately distinguished by its revised coachwork details and highly tuned twin-cam engine. Fittingly, the new model captured its first major victory at the gruelling Monza 12-hour race. For the 1960 season, the small-displacement classes were revised and Abarth responded with a new line of 700-cubic centimetre, 850-cubic centimetre, and 1,000-cubic centimetre engines to meet the updated requirements. The 850 Record Monza, a more powerful version of the original design, was purpose built to contest the 850-cubic centimetre category of the Italian Gran Turismo championship. Constructed in limited numbers, these rare Abarths remained competitive at local and international events well into the 1960s.

The Fiat-Abarth 850 SS Record Monza offered here is showing less than 28,000 kilometres on its odometer and represents a fine example of one of Abarth’s most beloved models. Highlighting its originality, this car benefits from Abarth Classiche certification and has been maintained in a large collection that includes a number of Zagato-bodied cars, a particular enthusiasm of the owner. The cockpit has a competition-inspired character that makes any excursion feel like a special occasion.

The perfect mount for a classic car rally or a spirited weekend outing, this 850 Record Monza offers an exciting opportunity to acquire a rare Italian sports car with abundant charisma and lively performance.