Do Look Back

The transition of Abarth’s GT models from the Zagato collaboration 750/500/700/850 variants to the Abarth-styled, Beccaris-bodied Mono Mille is covered in my earlier post, More Magic from Corso Marche .  Of particular significance was the emergence of the Bialbero version of the Fiat 600-derived  engine, ( Tipo 221 ), featuring in the Zagato bodied 750 Record Monza from early ’58, (along with the Tipo 222 695 cc version for the ‘700.’)    Through the following year and early 1960, further twin cam model variants appeared: Record Monza 850 and 850 and 700 GTs.   Meanwhile, Carlo was energetically at work in a period of change which encompassed the recruitment of Mario Colucci, negotiation of a ‘divorce’ from Zagato, establishment of a revised, ‘closer-to-home’ body styling/building capacity, and prospecting for a new manufacturing partnership to complement the ongoing arrangements with Fiat. Having Mario Colucci on hand with his extensive range of skills and expertise was a key elemen