Highlights

Raced by Umberto Maglioli at the Gran Premio de la Independencia, finishing 3rd overall and 1st in class
Described in period documentation as one of the earliest Abarth 1000 Bialbero examples built, almost a prototype
Supported by the original 1961 Abarth factory invoice and listed on the Abarth 1000 Record Monza production register
Restored and completed in 2023, finished in the correct original red
Fiat Historic Register gold plaque obtained in 2026

The Appeal

Revered in its day as a giant-killer, the Abarth 1000 Bialbero Record Monza is among the most revered small-capacity sports racing cars of the early 1960s. Carlo Abarth's genius for extracting extraordinary performance from modest Fiat underpinnings reached its zenith with the Bialbero series, and these diminutive, aerodynamically refined coupés punched well above their weight on circuits worldwide. Today, collectors fiercely seek them.

This example, chassis 860214, boasts fabulous provenance. It was sold new in 1961 to Francisco Tajer of Mexico City, as documented by the original Abarth factory invoice, which remains with the car, and listed on the Abarth 1000 Record Monza production register as produced in red. Period documentation describes it as one of the very first 1000 Bialbero examples built, almost a prototype. Its early competition career makes for fascinating reading: the legendary Umberto Maglioli raced it in the Tercera Carrera of the Gran Premio de la Independencia, finishing 3rd overall, ahead of a Porsche, and 1st in class. The car also competed in the Costa a Costa, a gruelling coast-to-coast race across Mexico.

After decades in Mexico, the car passed through the United States before arriving in Italy in January 2004 at the Cabrini Factory in Cremona, where the Italian magazine Ruoteclassiche featured it. At that stage, the car was incomplete and in poor condition. An initial restoration painted it yellow, but the bodywork quality was inadequate, with extensive filler applied. The vendor acquired the car in 2019 and undertook a thorough restoration, stripping the body back to bare aluminium and rebuilding it properly. The work was completed in 2023, with the car finished in its correct original red. The correct 1000cc twin-cam engine, which was acquired with the car in unfinished form, was also rebuilt.

Now Italian registered and holding the Fiat Historic Register gold plaque, this is a rare opportunity to acquire a historically significant Abarth with a well-documented competition pedigree.

Abarth 1000 Bialbero_body pics (2) Giuliano Fazi.JPG 3.13 MB

History and Paperwork

Chassis 860214, originally sold in 1961 to Francisco Tajer of Mexico City
Original Abarth factory invoice present, listing engine type 229 (1,000cc)
Listed on the Abarth 1000 Record Monza production register, produced in red
Raced by Umberto Maglioli in the Tercera Carrera of the Gran Premio de la Independencia, finishing 3rd overall and 1st in class
Also raced in the Costa a Costa, a coast-to-coast race across Mexico
Period article and race documentation on file
Alabama Title dated 1st January 2003 in the name of Luteraan Fred
Exported from the United States on 3rd October 2003
Arrived in Italy at the Cabrini Factory, Cremona in January 2004, with Italian Customs documentation present
Featured in Ruoteclassiche magazine upon arrival in Italy
Purchased by the current vendor in 2019
Restoration completed in 2023
Italian registered in 2025
Fiat Historic Register gold plaque obtained in 2026

Abarth 1000 Bialbero_barnfind (1) Giuliano Fazi.jpg 1.37 MB

The Condition

Aluminium bodywork stripped back to bare metal and rebuilt, removing approximately 3–4 cm of filler applied during a previous restoration
Finished in the correct original red, as recorded on the Abarth production register; previous yellow repaint has been entirely redone
Photographic documentation of the restoration process accompanies the car.

Illustrious racing history aside, this car's more recent story is one of several restorations: the first was unworthy of the car's rarity and provenance, while the second, we're immensely pleased to report, was done properly. Not only has the Abarth been returned to its original red, but the standard of bodywork is also much higher than previous efforts, removing vast quantities of filler and re-shaping the aluminium correctly, resulting in a far superior finish. The quality of the restoration speaks for itself and can be studied in the photographs.

Abarth 1000 Bialbero_details (1) Giuliano Fazi.JPG 9.66 MB

The Mechanics

1,000cc Bialbero (twin-cam) engine, Abarth type 229
Four-speed manual gearbox
At the time of the vendor's purchase, the car was fitted with an incorrect 750cc single-camshaft engine, which has since been replaced with the correct unit
The correct Bialbero engine was acquired with the car and has been extensively rebuilt, including new parts where necessary

Twin overhead camshafts extracted enormous potential from Fiat's tiny 1,000cc engine. These cars regularly produced between 90 and 100 horsepower in period, and given that they typically weighed less than 544 kg, you can start to see how these little pocket rockets could outmanoeuvre a Porsche or Alfa Romeo. With the correct, mechanically rebuilt, and very rare Bialbero engine reinstated, our car is said to run and drive very well indeed.

Abarth 1000 Bialbero_engine (1) Giuliano Fazi.JPG 10.73 MB

BEFORE YOU BUY

This sale is subject to the Car & Classic Terms and Conditions. By bidding and/or making an offer, you also agree to the following:

✓ The seller is registered as a private seller which means consumer rights stemming from EU consumer protection law do not come into effect. However, you are still covered by Car & Classic’s own Terms and Conditions..

✓ We request that a non-refundable fee be paid if you are the lucky winning bidder at auction or if your offer is accepted Please refer to our helpful FAQs and T&Cs for specific rates.

✓ This vehicle is “Sold As Seen”, on an “As Is Where Is’ basis and without warranty. Photos and descriptions are solely for guidance purposes and it's customary to carry out a full inspection of the vehicle prior to purchase for your own peace of mind.

✓ VAT is included in the buyer's fee. VAT may or may not be included in the final bid or offer price, as specified in the listing.

✓ We want a smooth transaction just as much as you do and as such we run all UK-registered cars and motorbikes for sale on Car & Classic through an online HPI check to verify that they show no insurance database markers for damage or theft, and have no finance owing, allowing you to bid with confidence.

✓ We also check whether vehicles are recorded as being written off as part of an insurance total loss claim at the time an advert is placed on Car & Classic and we helpfully provide write-off category labels (Cat C/D/S/N) for your assistance. However, the presence or absence of a label does not guarantee the vehicle’s status and it is always worthwhile carrying out your own full vehicle history check before making an offer on a vehicle.

✓ Buyers are responsible for vehicle collection

or delivery. Importing vehicles may result in additional customs duties and import taxes so it's worth checking beforehand. It is the bidders responsibility to confirm import eligibility prior to purchase.

✓ Unless stated otherwise, you must assume that any cherished, personalised, or heritage vehicle registration is not included in the sale of a vehicle.