1961 Abarth 1000 Bialbero GT
- Engine
- 982cc dual-overhead-cam inline-four, twin Weber 40 DCOE carburetors, 99 bhp
Chassis 1040293 is believed to be the earliest example of the Abarth 1000 Bialbero GT, a dual-overhead-cam 982 cc competition berlinetta that led the marque to its first World Sportscar Championship title in 1962. Prepared as a factory entry in August 1961, it raced at the Nürburgring 500 KM, Monza Coppa Inter-Europa, Bahamas Speed Weeks, and the 1962 Sebring 3 Hours. After decades of vintage racing, the car underwent a thorough two-year restoration by noted Abarth specialists in the early 2000s, and was subsequently exhibited at both Pebble Beach and Amelia Island.
Ownership
- —Auction saleSold US$308,000
- 1961-08-01 → 1961-11-01Factory deliveryAbarth factory teamfull documentation
Car was prepared as a works entry and campaigned directly by the factory in European events before being sold.
- 1961-11-01 →Private saleJohn Norwoodfull documentation
Former naval intelligence officer and organiser of Roosevelt's Fiat-Abarth racing programme; took delivery with a 1961 Statement of Origin signed by Carlo Abarth and had the car shipped to Nassau for competition.
- → 2003Noted Abarth collector and vintage racerpartial documentation
Used the car in historic events during the 1970s and 1980s, including appearances at the Monterey Historics.
- 2003 → 2006Private saleRob Phillipspartial documentation
Portland, Oregon-based owner who commissioned a thorough two-year restoration by Abarth specialist Greg Paris, with the original engine rebuilt by marque expert Les Burd; subsequently displayed the car at major concours events.
- 2006 →Private saleCanadian marque collectorpartial documentation
Consignor; maintained the prior restoration carefully while using the car only occasionally, with no competitive or display use in more than a decade.
Competition
- 1961-09-031961 Nürburgring 500 KMDriver: Eberhard Mahle5th overall
Co-driven by Teodoro Zeccoli; the pair qualified from pole and ran near the front throughout before a fuel pump failure on the final lap forced retirement, though a 5th-place classification was still recorded. Car entered as #111.
- 1961-09-101961 Monza Coppa Inter-EuropaDriver: Herbert Demetz
Car believed to have run as #4 based on photographic evidence published in a period magazine.
- 1961-12-08Bahamas Speed Weeks1961 Nassau Governors TrophyDriver: Paul Richards20th overall, 4th in class
Car entered as #91 during the Nassau Speed Weeks following its sale to John Norwood.
- 1961-12-10Bahamas Speed Weeks1961 Nassau Trophy RaceDriver: Paul Richards17th overall, 1st in class
Contested two days after the Governors Trophy at the same Nassau Speed Weeks.
- 1962-03-011962 Sebring 3 HoursDriver: Paul Layman10th overall
Entered as #23 and shared among Layman, George Schrafft, and Ray Cuomo; the broader Briggs Cunningham Abarth squad took the top two positions overall, led by Bruce McLaren and Walt Hansgen.
- 20052005 Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance
Exhibited by Rob Phillips following completion of the two-year restoration.
- 20062006 Amelia Island Concours d'Elegance
Second major concours appearance under Rob Phillips's ownership, shortly before the car was sold to the Canadian consignor.
- —Monterey Historics
Car raced at this and other vintage events by a subsequent collector-owner during the 1970s and 1980s.
Maintenance & restoration
- 2003RestorationGreg Paris
A thorough two-year ground-up restoration was carried out by the late Abarth specialist Greg Paris, with the original Bialbero engine separately rebuilt by marque expert Les Burd.
Engine rebuilt concurrently by Les Burd. A restoration file documenting the work accompanies the car. The original factory block was retained despite being damaged; a correct replacement block of the proper AH type was fitted.
- 2003Engine rebuildLes Burd
The original dual-cam Bialbero engine was fully rebuilt as part of the broader restoration programme.
Les Burd was engaged specifically for his expertise with the Bialbero engine. The original block, though damaged, has been kept with the car.
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