1959 Abarth 850 Allemano Coupé

Carlo Abarth is best known for his wonderful 750 GT Zagato Coupé, the famous “Double Bubble.” Less well known is that a number of other exciting Abarth cars were built on the same Fiat 600 chassis, modified by Abarth. These include the rare and highly collectible Record Monza, available in both pushrod and twin-camshaft (Bialbero) versions, as well as the Allemano Spider and Coupé.

One of the rarest Abarth cars based on the 750/ 850 GT chassis was the 850 cc coupé with a body by Carrozzeria Allemano of Turin, Italy. The exact number produced is unknown, but it is generally agreed that the total was fewer than 200. Currently, fewer than 10 are known to exist in North America. In the book The Italian Car Registry by John de Farmer, almost 30 of the nearly 600 Abarth 750/ 850 GT cars listed are Allemano coupés. The “Double Bubble” accounts for nearly 400, while there were 65 Record Monzas. With fewer than 30 known to exist, the Abarth 850 Allemano Coupé is truly a rare car, with only 32 examples produced.

At the time, the Abarth Allemano Coupé was very well received, but it sold in very small numbers. Priced at $3, 385, it competed directly with the Porsche Speedster and Alfa Romeo Giulietta Spider. During a test drive for its October 1960 issue, Road & Track magazine made the following comments: “In the case of Carlo Abarth’s latest creation, the Fiat Abarth 850, no lengthy discussion is necessary—the car completely enchanted everyone… The new coupé with Allemano bodywork is doubly enchanting because it is—and what’s more, it is a brutal sports machine—a completely practical car for everyday transportation… Our staff was completely convinced by this gem.”

Motor Life magazine made similar comments in its road test in the February 1961 issue. “Driving the Allemano Fiat Abarth is pure pleasure,” they wrote. “Any car enthusiast who has driven a Fiat Abarth has fallen in love with it—and we are no exception. Comfortable seating, fast and effortless steering, a four-speed gearbox that is almost fun to operate, 360-degree visibility, and a Fiat engine fitted with an 833 cc Abarth unit that growls like a Ferrari… this is life.”

This Abarth comes from Italy and is still in perfect condition. The restoration has been beautifully executed, and the engine compartment also looks fantastic. It is clean and dry and has all the characteristics of a genuine Abarth. This is a true enthusiast’s car from the highest segment.

This car has Dutch registration.