Fantasy Junction

Description

1963 Fiat Abarth Bialbero-Specification Monomille GT
s/n 110-0380, engine no. 1586414
Red over Black Interior

Carlo Abarth was no stranger to challenge and adversity. Though born in Vienna, he greatly favored Italian culture and thus changed his given name Karl, to Carlo. Studying engineering while nurturing an ambitious racing career, at the age of 26 Carlo made Italy his permanent home. An avid racer, he became a European motorcycle racing champion five times before an accident and lengthy hospitalization in 1939 which sidelined his racing career. Abarth made friends with Tazio Nuvolari, Ferry Porsche, and other top automotive pioneers, quickly understanding production methods and the value of motorsports racing, especially as industry grew after the war. In 1949, taking over the financially failing Cisitalia, he founded Abarth & C. with Cisitalia driver Guido Scagliarini, whose father substantially financed the fledgling operation which also benefited from the sales of unfinished Cisitalias. Abarth quickly earned a respected reputation, building race cars, while also supplying performance components to many manufacturers seeking performance tuning for their cars. Abarth also built limited production runs of specialized road cars based on Fiat platforms. By cleverly engineering costly but already tooled components from the Fiat 600 (chassis, suspension, steering, and engine) Abarth incorporated lightweight alloy construction processes to create unique and competitive sports racers and road cars.

Production for the 750 Zagato established Abarth as a capable builder offering handsome vehicles in a surprising array of varying body styles. Advancing to the larger 982 cc pushrod engine, the Monomille was offered using a new body design derivative of the 750 Zagato Berlinetta. However instead of using Zagato for body construction, these were all built by Abarth, bearing the distinctive “Carrozzeria Abarth” badge. Both the Monomille and more costly twin-cam Bialbero were made available in this series, each of which were hand-crafted in the tradition of Italian coachbuilding, entirely under special order. Much like the wide range of body features offered in the 750 Zagato, the Monomille was available with a wide range of Stradale or Corsa configuration features and options. Of course, these handmade cars were understandably expensive, notably 30% more than a contemporary Porsche 356. As such, production was limited and factory documentation for numbers delivered was not carefully recorded. Experts today cite numbers ranging from 100 to as few as 25 examples, many of which sadly became subject to damage or corrosion due to dissimilar metal electrolysis, the cancerous adversary of great Italian coachbuilt cars. Today only a handful of surviving Abarth Monomille examples exist. This example 110-0380 is one of those very few recognized and documented surviving original cars.

Early history of this car begins with the recorded ownership of William SS Gard, who is believed to have been the first US owner of this Abarth. While duration of his ownership is unknown, documents accompanying the car indicates that Gard sold the car to Charles Berwind of Webster, in Monroe County, NY in 1972. Berwind is reported to have sold the car to Peter Fisk, possibly as late as 1983. In 1985, Abarth authority Mahlon Craft purchased the car from Fisk. Craft, a recognized authority on Abarth cars, would own the car for over the 30-years, during which time he restored the car primarily for vintage racing use, keeping copious notes and hand-written details on the specifications and maintenance, much of which still accompanies the car today.

According to Craft and other Abarth authorities, 110-0380 is believed to have been originally imported to North America by Al Cosentino, the famed and jubilantly eccentric founder of FAZA (Fiat Abarth Zagato Allemano), a small race shop and racing team located in upstate New York. Founded in the 1960s, FAZA was essentially the New York based Fiat tifosi for the times, becoming the assumptive authority for anyone who wanted to go fast in a Fiat. Eccentricities aside, Cosentino recalls in his various memoires having received his first Abarth Monomille, delivered from Milan in April 1963. Upon collecting the car, it was damaged in the front section while in the airport delivery parking lot. According to previous owner Mahlon Craft and written accounts from Cosentino, it is believed this car was intended for the 1963 New York Auto Salon FAZA display stand. Cosentino immediately had the front end repaired by an aircraft specialist familiar with alloy construction, presumably to represent FAZA at the show. Sometime after the show, Cosentino sells the car to its first owner. While no records currently exist supporting named ownership until Gard in 1971, the car appears to have remained in New York for most of its early years. Most importantly, 110-0380 appears to have been one of very few Monomilles configured at the factory with the very attractive and desirable covered headlight Kamm tail body configuration, and also containing lightweight features consistent with factory constructed Bialbero Corsa models.

During Craft’s ownership, following much research and dedicated restoration by Automotive Restorations, Stratford, Connecticut, the car was outfitted with the original matching numbers crankcase and a correct Abarth casting Bilabero 750 twin-cam head, specially modified to pair with the 1000cc engine. Craft routinely campaigned the car in various vintage events at Lime Rock and smaller events throughout the area. In 2018, the car was sold to the current consigning owner who has since performed a significant amount of mechanical freshening and restoration work to improve the car to the condition shown today.

In late 2018 and early 2019, the car was serviced including minor electrical work for ignition and gauges, the installation of a new drag link, the brake system flushed, a new battery installed, and various hoses replaced. In June 2020 the car was serviced with new rear wheel spacers and lug bolts, the oil pan removed, oil changed, and the drive gear replaced. During this time the bearings were inspected and found to be in satisfactory condition. Also, at this time, the original type fuel tank was re-installed, the carburetors removed for general service, studs replaced, carb. isolator installed, and the standard exhaust was installed, essentially returning the car to a more street-going version from the former vintage racing specs.

Today the overall condition of this Abarth Monomille perfectly reflects the simplicity and refined sporting energy of the Abarth aesthetic. The closed headlight configuration, absent of bumpers and trim, delivers a wonderful semi-competition appearance. The low roofline, streamlined glass, and slightly raised engine cover terminates in the open Kamm tail, specifically designed to pull in returning airflow from the upper surface into the engine compartment. Immediately commanding your attention in vivid red, the paint is glossy and smooth throughout with very good panel presentation, particularly along the perimeter of the floating hood. Typical of alloy coachwork, the doors are slightly proud of the fitting surface towards the rocker panels, all of which have been fashioned by hand, and modestly tailored by time.

The craftsmanship achieved during the restoration performed some years ago, and ongoing care since, has proven itself with mature overall cosmetics. There are minor areas of use evident in the finish, but none of significance so as to detract from the clarity of concept and respected restoration. The scant but perfectly placed exterior trim, emblems and minor brightwork details are finely detailed, reflective of quality workmanship. The headlight covers are clear and uniformly shaped, properly fitting the alloy scallops, separated by a clean ovoid opening lacking superfluous ornamentation. The artfully shaped lever-actuated door handles, cast aluminum Campagnolo wheels, and Abarth hood ties complete the unique combination of sporting and road going synergy captured under the Abarth name.

The interior is a fitting combination of racing history and performance sports car appeal. The seats are comfortably trimmed in a high quality pleated black leather with modern Simpson seat harnesses (dated Dec 2021), padded roll bar, and driver’s side head support. The roll bar is decorated with just a few of the many vintage races this car has competed in over the past years. While the interior is generally spartan in nature, the finishes are purposeful and unified, giving the car a competition feel while conveying unique Italian mechanical beauty even in the smallest details such as the instrumentation and the Mono 1000 script.

The engine bay features a matching-numbers crankcase now outfitted with a twin-cam Bilabero Abarth head. The head is a true Abarth casting originally developed for use on the 750 series engine. Having been specially modified to properly run on the 1000 cc engine, the set up presents authentically both visually and mechanically. The engine finishes are both correctly applied and accurately specified, focusing on originality, directed by dedicated servicing and thoughtful detailing performed over the years. The car has been enjoyably used only mildly in recent years, with recent mechanical work and engine detailing offered to the twin Weber carburetors. The engine components are faithfully presented flanked by trumpeting air horns, correct Abarth castings, and original style yellow fabric wound ignition wires. The forward truck compartment features a spare Abarth Campagnolo cast wheel with Pirelli tire, correct fuel tank, and battery.

The underside of the car is in keeping with the general history of an enjoyed car showing correct type finned aluminum Abarth engine castings and correct suspension components. The overall finish, while not detailed for show, focuses on authenticity and cleanliness. Correct type brakes, lines and finishes, are consistent with the restoration quality and general services performed on the car. The chassis appears to be in sound condition with no visual evidence of structural damage or significant compromise to main components or suspension, once again supporting the documentation, and long-term ownership of this rare car.

Driving this Fiat Abarth is a delightful reminder of how a simple but thoughtful series of engineering and design changes can substantially improve a car. The rear mounted engine lights off with a quick and raspy burst of twin-cam energy. The responsive throttle is tight and composed as the revs climb and the road opens up. The clutch works in harmony with the 5-speed gearbox, offering surprising ease when downshifting, benefiting from synchromesh in all gears. Braking is typical for cars of this period but surprisingly good under repeated use, due in part to the lighter weight of the overall car. The driving experience is well balanced, very well-sorted, and has the added benefit of bringing a genuine smile to the face of even the most jaded drivers of high-end Italian exotic sports cars. Beautifully composed and rare in number, this Abarth Monomille will continue to entice a wide range of collectors and motorsports enthusiasts as one of the very few examples of independent Italian motorsports during one of the most prolific periods of sports car design.

This wonderful Abarth Monomille is accompanied by a treasure trove of original Abarth parts along with a substantial number of important and rare spare parts and mechanical components specifically suited to Fiat and Abarth cars. The list of parts includes:

2 Sets 600D Gasket Sets in original Fiat Packaging
4 panel racing mirror
5 speed gear shift shafts
Abarth 5 Speed 1-2-3 Gear Set
Abarth Bialbero Gaskets in Original Packaging
Abarth Campagnolo wheels (2) with 4.5 x 13 Dunlops
Abarth Hood hold-down set (4) w hardware set (2)
Abarth Saenz Connecting Rod set of (4) new
Beaver Tail Switch
Brake Bias Valve, original rebuilt
Cam Followers Set of (9) Bialbero
Campagnolo Lug Bolts Set of (9) in Original Box
Carello wipers set of two with connecting rod
Defroster Duct
Talbot Mirrors
Engine grill
Engine Mounts
Engine Pulley Wheel
Exhaust Bracket
First, Reverse gear shift yoke
Forged Al Campione Pistons Set of (4) New in Assowerke Box
Fram Fuel Filter New
Front Caliper Rebuild Kit in original BM box
Front Hubs (2) One broken
Fuel Cell (w mounting hardware)
Gear Set #1
Gear Set #2
Gear Set #3
Gear Shift to Transaxle Coupling
Headlight Covers Qty (4) New Replica
Hood hold-down bumpers
Fiat 600D parts booklet and 600 shop manual
Four Fiat Abarth service manuals (copies)
Interior Door Panel
Iskenderian Racing Valve Springs, New, Set of (8) in Original Box
Kirkey Racing Seat 414700V with cover
Momomille 1000 body graphics
Oil Pump Drive Shaft, used
Piston Ring Set set of (4) - 65.2 in Orig Kenig Box
Piston Ring Set set of (4) - 65.4
Racing Battery Shutoff Cable
Racing threaded oil dipstick
Rear Hub w coupling
Rear Light Set (used some cracks)
Rear window stanchion bracket
Rolled Thread Cylinder Head Studs set of (6) + (1) Bialbero
Shaft Bearing Set
Shaft Seal Calnevar 4618
Sun Visors
Supertrapp Muffler Discs & Gaskets
Transaxle Input Shaft
Transaxle Pinion Shaft
Valve Spring Retainer Set
Valve Guides set of (4)
Valve Seats, set of (8) some surface rust
Valve Set of (11) Used
Water Pump Seal in original Calnever Box
Water Pump Snout

A spectacular vision of engineering genius contained in a potent lightweight package, this Fiat Abarth Monomille possesses all the qualities one seeks in a drivable, historically important, and rare sports car. Upgraded with an Abarth twin-cam Bialbero head, mated to the numbers matching engine block, this wonderful example will return rewarding motoring pleasure for enthusiasts who enjoy participating in events, concours shows, or simply driving for pleasure. With its unique Abarth Monomille coachwork, innovative rear-mounted, dual Weber, twin-cam engine, this highly desirable Monomille truly conveys the legacy of Carlo Abarth; the agile scorpion with a powerful sting.

The above vehicle information is complete and accurate to the best of our knowledge at the time it is posted to this website. Corrections or additional information is always appreciated. All advertised prices exclude government fees and taxes, any finance charges, any dealer document preparation charge, and any emission testing charge. Vehicles are subject to prior sale. All advertised to be true but not guaranteed. We assume no liability for errors or omissions.

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Fantasy Junction  •  510-653-7555  •  1145 Park Ave, Emeryville, CA 94608