motor cars

MOTOR CARS | 89

We have no information upon precisely when Fabrizio Violati
acquired this Abarth 2000 Sport Spider ‘Quattro Fari’ for his eventual
Collezione Maranello Rossi displays within the museums that he
opened, sequentially, in the centre of San Marino and then at
Falciano, but the car is presented here in generally very fine aesthetic
order and we recommend it to potential owner/drivers and to
collectors alike as warranting the closest consideration.

Under the skin, evidence of its long years on static museum display
are of course apparent, but after delivery to BONHAMS we found
that its engine is free and turns easily. Upon introscope inspection
through the spark plug holes, cylinder Nos 2, 3 and 4 appear to be
in good order. The spark plug in No 1 cylinder is seized and cannot
be removed without danger of causing collateral damage. Therefore
this cylinder has been passed uninspected. A long length of oil pick-
up piping from oil tank to engine is missing but overall the power
unit clearly has the potential to be started with further investigation
and work. It is possible to select all gears but the clutch appears
inoperative, with the pedal going straight to the floor, so the relevant
hydraulic system plainly requires further attention.

All brakes are operational but the system merits a full strip and

rebuild prior to the car being used. In every respect such findings are

completely consistent with the car’s many years of static display in

museum conditions. We naturally recommend that a buyer should

engage expert further inspection and re-commissioning work before

attempting to run the car in earnest.

Overall it is many years such a fine example of the renowned

Abarth 2000 Sport Spider ‘Quattro Fari’ came up for sale in such

a prominent public auction. There is no mistaking the quality and

capability of these well-proportioned, lightweight and extremely

powerful and fast 2-litre cars during their heyday. Their potential

within Historic racing today is self-evident, but such is the flair and

charisma of the Abarth marque that chassis ‘040’ here is also an

entry ticket to the world’s leading concours events, quite apart from

the call of the circuit and Historic hill-climb arena.

Considerable interest in this car has already been shown since this

sale of the Collezione Maranello Rosso cars was first announced. It

is offered here very much as the outstanding star of the renowned

Falciano museum’s former Abarth display. ‘Four eyes’ indeed...

offered here in simply lovely original condition – a great car to restore

to full, rampant, running order.

Please note this vehicle is subject to import tax should it remain in

the EU.

£180,000 - 250,000

€225,000 - 310,000