One of Three
Michelotti, Fiat, Abarth; three icons in the Italian automotive world, almost guaranteeing something special when the trio combine forces. Unveiled at the 1959 Turin Motor Show, the Abarth 1600 Spyder Allemano is the essence of 1960s craftsmanship and style. Powered by a 1,600cc OSCA engine, this sleek cruiser was offered both as a coupé and spider, with bodywork designed and hand-built by Allemano.
Incredibly, several sources suggest just three examples exist, with this car being the earliest of the three. Rediscovered in Italy over 20 years ago, it has since undergone a long and careful restoration preserving the car's originality with meticulous attention to detail. As showstopping Italian drop-tops go, this may not carry the same prowess as a Ferrari or Lamborghini, but it comfortably sits among the rarest cars in the world!
Freshly Squeezed
With summer right around the corner, we at Classic Driver are always on the lookout for the ultimate automobile to make the most of every last ray of sunshine before the clouds roll in, and we think we may have just found the ideal candidate.
This 1967 Lancia Fulvia Sport Zagato has all if the right heritage and drama in its name alone, but under its vibrant exterior sits a true driver’s car. Powered by a 1.3-litre V4 engine mated to an upgraded 5-speed transmission, this high-revving charmer underwent a comprehensive restoration in 2014, where its entire engine was rebuilt, allowing the lucky new owner to enjoy every percent of the car’s ample performance and driving agility. If quirky Italian classics are your thing, look no further than this Fulvia!
Raiders of the Lost Ghia
Taking a quick glance at this multi-coloured motoring relic, what would you guess it is? A long-lost Fiat, or bespoke-bodied Maserati? To our amazement, and we’re hoping yours too, this barn find is in fact a Jaguar XK140, hiding an incredible past beneath its dishevelled exterior. Building upon Giovanni Savonuzzi's three "Supersonic" XK 120 designs, Ghia applied the same eye-catching styling to the XK 140, with this very car being the first of just four created.
First registered by a wealthy French industrialist, the car was sent to Ghia to begin its transformation. Bearing almost no resemblance to the original Jaguar design, the Italian body featured a new one-piece wraparound windshield, revised side glass design, a modernised single piece body design without large sweeping fenders, as well as a wider grille and a redesigned bonnet. With aluminium being the main material used for the new parts, the fresh-faced XK140 weighed an impressive 100 kilograms lighter than before.
After spending decades touring the European concours scene, this motoring rarity would even spend some time on the racetrack, thanks to upgraded engine components from the D-Type, as well as its new lightweight bodyshell. By 1979, the car was put into storage, where it remained untouched until 2021, offering its next owner the ultimate chance at restoration glory. Will you be the one to save this Anglo-Italian jewel?
Long Live Three-Spokes!
We’ve seen some cool Range Rovers pass through the Classic Driver Market over the years. From world-conquering Camel Trophy survivors to EV-transplanted city slickers, but any Range Rover sporting three-spoke alloy wheels is worth a closer look in our eyes.
Created by Chieftain as a celebration of what was possible with the timeless Range Rover Classic platform, this example has been completely reworked to house a supercharged 6.2-litre V8 under the bonnet, as well as upgraded suspension and braking to allow it to really put the power down in a controlled manner. It’s unusual to see a Range Rover with such a sporty stance, but while the aerodynamics may be lacking, you can’t deny it certainly looks the business!
The Coolest Club in Town
Famous owners certainly aid the charm of a particular car, and few get better than this exclusive club. At first glance, this may look like an ordinary, albiet slightly wider iteration of the lovable Smart FourTwo, but this example was in fact coachbuilt at Brabus HQ in Bottrop, Germany, as one of just three bespoke examples built for the UK. Each of the three were hand-finished by Brabus, with one heading to the garage of legendary engineer Gordon Murray, and another for Formula 1 driver David Coulthard, each to their own unique specification.
The third, this very example, has remained in single ownership since new, racking up an incredible 49,500 miles. It boasts a Brabus SB1 engine, with many other upgrades to the suspension, brakes, wheels, and gearbox. Inside, the hand-trimmed cabin is drenched in Alcantara and Brabus leather, boasting paddle shifters, navigation and plenty of carbon fibre! If incredibly rare micro cars are your love language, this might just be the best on the market right now!
