1955 Moretti 1200 Sport Spider
Boutique Italian manufacturer Moretti created one of the rarest postwar sports cars with the 1200 Sport Spider, with only two examples built in 1955.
This extraordinary small-displacement machine showcased the exceptional talent found among Italy’s specialized automotive firms during the 1950s golden age.
The Sport Spider was powered by a 1,204 cc (74 cu in) twin-cam inline-four, a lightweight and advanced design for its time. Styling was the work of Giovanni Michelotti, whose flowing bodywork embodied mid-century Italian design philosophy. Producing 62 horsepower at 5,500 rpm, the lively four-cylinder allowed the lightweight spider to compete effectively against larger-engined rivals in period racing.
A four-speed manual transmission and hydraulic drum brakes completed the specification. Moretti’s success in small-displacement racing classes proved how Italian engineering could extract remarkable performance from modest cubic capacity.
Today, the two surviving 1200 Sport Spiders represent the pinnacle of boutique Italian sports car manufacturing, combining distinctive styling, advanced engineering, and extreme rarity.
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