Driveway mystery

barrett · January 14, 2011, 05:50:14 AM

Spotted rusting on an English driveway by someone on another forum about 18 months ago, someone has some rather expensive garden ornaments - but what is the car sandwiched between the Beetle and the Zagato?
If anyone can show me some proof of identity then they'll get a point, but I honestly can't work out what it might be - looks tantalisingly familiar though!

Allemano · January 14, 2011, 05:54:49 AM

Wendax · January 14, 2011, 06:29:24 AM

Abarth 750 Coupé Vignale, 1956, design by Michelotti, Fiat based of course

Wendax · January 14, 2011, 06:31:10 AM

and a more suitable back view

als15 · January 15, 2011, 06:30:27 AM

The 2 cars posted by Wendax are different. I think it's indeed the second (with regular doors, while the first has gullwings and is in an Italian collection in definitely better condition).
That's an amazing discovery!

Wendax · January 15, 2011, 04:09:20 PM

You're right about it being the second one. Didn't notice the difference in the doors between the two photos, when I posted them. I just remembered the unique shape of the car in the driveway and remembered it being an Abarth. But you can have a red/black one with conventional doors as well

Vincent Vell Vet · January 15, 2011, 11:58:03 PM

Makes me want to go car hunting across the Atlantic.
This stuff would blow my mind. Some cars you'll just never see in the US.
Amazing.

barrett · January 16, 2011, 01:55:56 PM

I think you're right Vincent.
Seems obvious now!

SickFinga · January 16, 2011, 02:33:06 PM

I don't think it's the same car.

Notice that the "driveway" car has suicide doors. Trunk/hood is small, on Abarth it's pretty much an entire front end. Also compare the front fenders, they are very different.

Allemano · January 16, 2011, 02:36:30 PM

Quote from: SickFinga on January 16, 2011, 02:33:06 PM
I don't think it's the same car.

Notice that the "driveway" car has suicide doors. Trunk/hood is small, on Abarth it's pretty much an entire front end. Also compare the front fenders, they are very different.

I think you see it erroneously from the opposite angle... It has no suicide doors at all.

SickFinga · January 16, 2011, 03:06:42 PM

Quote from: Allemano on January 16, 2011, 02:36:30 PM
Quote from: SickFinga on January 16, 2011, 02:33:06 PM
I don't think it's the same car.

Notice that the "driveway" car has suicide doors. Trunk/hood is small, on Abarth it's pretty much an entire front end. Also compare the front fenders, they are very different.
I think you see it erroneously from the opposite angle... It has no suicide doors at all.

Wait, the "driveway car" is it front or back?

woodinsight · January 16, 2011, 03:09:09 PM

This is the nearest comparable angle of an Abarth Fiat 750 GT Vignale I can find -

Allemano · January 16, 2011, 03:11:16 PM

Quote from: SickFinga on January 16, 2011, 03:06:42 PM
Wait, the "driveway car" is it front or back?

back!

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Driveway mystery