Abarth Monomille GT Beccaris

Vehicle Overview

The Abarth Monomille GT Beccaris was unveiled by Carlo Abarth at the 1961 Frankfurt Motor Show in September. Its sleek, compact design was crafted in-house at Abarth’s Corso Marche factory in Turin and built by Beccaris, the company’s preferred bodybuilder located nearby. This version of the Monomille stood out from the Sibona & Basano model due to its rear end lacking the distinctive “ducktail” design. The car was aimed at a discerning motoring audience rather than professional racing drivers, positioning itself as a high-performance, yet practical, small coupe. Contemporary reviews of the Monomille lavished praise on its design and performance, often describing it as a tribute to Carlo Abarth’s engineering prowess. The only downside noted by critics was its high price. While Abarth’s GT cars had long been jokingly referred to as the “poor man’s Ferrari,” the Monomille helped to shift that perception, setting new standards for street-legal GT cars. The Monomille’s quality and exclusivity made it desirable, though prohibitively expensive for most buyers at the time. To put it in perspective, the Monomille was priced 33% higher than a Porsche 1600 C and cost as much as five Volkswagen Beetles. Driving the Monomille in daily life meant attracting admiring glances everywhere. Its exclusivity and exceptional technical craftsmanship made it stand out on the road. These factors also contribute to its value today, as Abarth collectors seek out these rare cars. Production of the Monomille was extremely limited, with fewer than 50 units built between 1961 and 1965. Some experts believe that fewer than 25 cars were ever produced, adding to the car’s mystique and desirability among vintage car enthusiasts today. The Abarth Monomille GT remains a symbol of 1960s automotive elegance and high-performance craftsmanship.