Abarth, a brand dedicated to competition Founded in 1949 by Carlo Abarth, the Italian brand specialises in the preparation and construction of racing cars, particularly in the small-capacity categories. Abarth has made a name for itself on European racetracks thanks to constant technical innovation and a focus on performance and lightness. Its models, mainly based on Fiat underpinnings, won numerous titles in Grand Touring and Sport-Prototype championships, helping to establish the Scorpion's reputation in the world of motor sport. In the 1960s, Abarth dominated the 1000 cm³ category, a highly competitive segment in which manufacturers such as Simca and Porsche competed. The Abarth 1000 Bialbero, with its low weight and optimised engine, beat off its main rivals. The Targa Florio, 1000 km Nürburgring, Mugello and Sebring became the scene of fierce battles in this category. In GT and Sport events, Abarth 1000s, particularly in their ‘Bialbero’ and ‘SP’ forms, regularly won thanks to their agility in corners, their effective braking and their excellent roadholding. At the time, Abarth was renowned for its ability to produce extremely competitive cars with budgets well below those of its competitors. The ingenuity of Carlo Abarth and his engineers enabled them to make the most of Fiat engines, reworking them to achieve unexpected levels of performance. The Abarth 1000 Bialbero ‘Muso Lungo’: design and features The Abarth 1000 Bialbero has been developed to maximise competition performance in the sub-1300cc category. The model is based on a Type 129 tubular chassis designed to offer an optimum balance between rigidity and lightness. The engine, a 982cc in-line four-cylinder, is an evolution of the Fiat 600. Called Type 229 B, it has a double overhead camshaft (Bialbero) architecture and develops around 105 bhp at 8000 rpm. Fuel is supplied by two Weber 40 DCOE carburettors, while the compression ratio is 10:1. The engine is mated to a five-speed manual gearbox optimised for competition use. Particular attention has also been paid to aerodynamics. Early versions of the Bialbero 1000 were fitted with an aluminium nose. The latest models, including this one, have been fitted with a fibreglass nose, which is lighter and more efficient. The ‘Muso Lungo’ (Long nose) version improves stability at high speeds and optimises the distribution of airflow over the body. Suspension is independent at all four wheels, with superimposed wishbones at the front and an oscillating axle at the rear. Braking is provided by four discs, a rare feature on a car in this category at the time. The total weight of the vehicle was around 540 kg, offering an excellent power-to-weight ratio. The different versions of the Abarth 1000 Bialbero The Abarth 1000 Bialbero underwent several changes over the course of its production. Based on archive documents, there were six main series, each characterised by aerodynamic and structural differences 1ʳᵉ series (1960) : Fiat Abarth 1000 BA Record Monza with plexiglass fairing headlights (Zagato). 2ᵉ series (1960-1961) : Fiat Abarth 1000 BA Record Monza with codorni headlights (Zagato). 3ᵉ series (1961-1962) : Fiat Abarth 1000 BA GT ‘coda tonda’ (Beccaris). 4ᵉ series (1961-1962): Fiat Abarth 1000 BA GT ‘coda rialzata’ (Beccaris). 5ᵉ series (1963-1965): Fiat Abarth 1000 BA Muso Corto - Coda Lunga, made by Sibona & Basano (15 examples). 6ᵉ series (1964-1965): Fiat Abarth 1000 BA Muso Lungo - Coda Lunga, made by Sibona & Basano (15 examples), with fully opening front bonnet. Our car 129 0288 belongs to the 6ᵉ series, which represents the ultimate evolution of the model. This version, with a fully opening front bonnet, offered improved mechanical accessibility and optimised aerodynamics. 129 0288 was delivered in 1965 to Dimitri Mollof, exclusive Abarth importer in France and owner of Team Abarth France: Squadra Corse Abarth France. As soon as it arrived, it was entered in the European Grand Touring and Sports Car Championship. Driven by Jean Mazzanti, the official Abarth France driver, the car took an active part in the 1965 and 1966 seasons, contributing to Abarth's victory in the European GT Championship and the World Championship for marques in 1964, 1965, 1966 and 1967. Its involvement in competition included some famous events: 1000 km of Paris Freiburg Grand Prix Monza race Ronde du Ventoux Coupe du Salon Coupe de Paris Mont Dore ​Various rounds of the European GT and Sport Championships In 1967, the car continued to race, notably with Beaumont and Lemaitre. ​ From 1968, it was acquired by Jean-Marie Lemerle, who continued to race it until 1970. An enthusiastic driver and well-known figure in hill-climb racing, Lemerle replaced his 1000 Bialbero with another iconic Abarth, the 1000 SP, a model developed for the Sport-Prototypes category and was entered in the 1969 Le Mans 24 Hours, where it was driven by Maurizio Zanetti and Ugo Locatelli. The car then passed into the hands of Jacques Simonet, who raced it until 1977, before keeping it preciously in his collection for 50 years! A unique car of indisputable authenticity Of the 30 Abarths built by Carrozzeria Sibona & Basano, 15 Abarth 1000 Bialbero Long Nose were produced, but only 11 remain in museums and private collections. Of these 11, 3 were ‘Muso Corto’ cars retrofitted with the ‘long nose export’ option. This chassis #129 0288, the last of the series, is the only example still in its original condition, never invasively restored. When it was sold to its fourth owner in 2020, meticulous mechanical restoration work was undertaken, including rebuilding the engine, running gear and braking system, while preserving the authenticity of the bodywork and interior. An exceptional heritage Today, the Abarth 1000 Bialbero Long Nose Sibona & Basano embodies the excellence of Abarth design and engineering from the 1960s. Its racing history, unique condition and extensive history file make it an exceptional collector's item, testifying to Abarth's unique expertise in motorsport.​