THE VEHICLE AT A GLANCE
Model dossier
- Production period
- 1953–1954
- Body style
- Berlinetta
- Engine
- Inline-4
- Type
- Limited
THE PEOPLE BEHIND THE CAR
Coachbuilding, design & conversions
PRICE & SALES RECORD
Vehicle value
- Original price
- Not documented
- Latest recorded sale
- USD 132,000 2016-08-20 · RM Sotheby'sRecorded sale of an example of this model.
01 / THE STORY
History & context
The Moretti 750 Gran Sport Berlinetta emerges as a testament to Giovanni Moretti’s pioneering spirit in the realm of small automobiles. Initially renowned for his racing engines for motorcycles, Moretti transitioned to car manufacturing post-World War II, introducing vehicles powered by his own vertical twin-cylinder engine. However, it was in 1950 that he made a significant leap with the development of a four-cylinder overhead-cam engine, available in both 600 and 750-cubic centimeter sizes. Constructed on a backbone chassis, the Moretti 750 Gran Sport Berlinetta embodied a lively package, offering versatility in several body styles. Collaborations with renowned designers such as Zagato and Giovanni Michelotti resulted in visually striking and aerodynamically efficient designs, elevating the Moretti brand to prominence on both sides of the Atlantic. The year 1952 marked the beginning of a fruitful collaboration between Giovanni Michelotti and Giovanni Moretti, culminating in the creation of the Moretti 750 Gran Sport Berlinetta. This small yet formidable sports car was produced in limited numbers, with a focus on participation in prestigious competitions such as the Mille Miglia and the 24 Hours of Le Mans. It resembled a scaled-down Ferrari 212 Inter with semi-fastback lines and a two-passenger interior, with “greenhouse” space aft for luggage and the spare tire. Characterized by its agile handling, sleek design, and competitive prowess, the 750 Gran Sport Berlinetta captured the imagination of automotive enthusiasts worldwide. Its success on the racing circuit solidified Moretti’s reputation as a manufacturer of high-performance vehicles, while also cementing Michelotti’s legacy as a master of automotive design. In essence, the Moretti 750 Gran Sport Berlinetta remains a shining example of innovation and excellence in the realm of small sports cars, embodying the passion and ingenuity of its creators in every aspect of its design and performance.
02 / TECHNICAL IDENTITY
Specifications & construction
Production & construction
- Production type
- Limited
- Production from
- 1953
- Production to
- 1954
- Production notes
- Nine exact Gran Sport/closed-body chassis are linked to this family. Critical correction: 1290S is the chassis of the primary legacy example and 1294S is its engine number; never create a second chassis from 1294S.
Engine & performance
- Engine configuration
- Inline-4
Individual vehicle
- Documented chassis
9 chassis
- 1290S
- 1291
- 1292
- 1293
- 1294
- 1296
- 1297
- 1298
- 1459
Design & manufacture
- Designer · Documented
- Giovanni Michelotti
- Coachbuilder / Manufacturer / Body Builder · Documented
- Moretti
05 / VALUE
Value & price history
Recorded sale history
EUR · 2 recorded sales
- Last sale
- EUR 134,40025 May 2013
- Highest sale
- EUR 151,2002 recorded sales
- Average sale
- EUR 142,800Completed sales only
RECORDED SALES
Recorded sale history
EUR
Recorded sale history
EUR · 2 dated salesEach point is a completed sale with its own date, in chronological order. Dates are positioned by calendar time, with approximate placement when only a year or month is documented. The connecting line shows observed sales prices in this currency, not an appreciation index: transactions may concern different chassis and specifications. Factory prices and unsold estimates are excluded.
USD · 1 recorded sale
- Last sale
- USD 132,00020 Aug 2016
- Highest sale
- USD 132,0001 recorded sale
- Average sale
- USD 132,000Completed sales only
RECORDED SALES
Recorded sale history
USD
Recorded sale history
USD · 1 dated saleEach point is a completed sale with its own date, in chronological order. Dates are positioned by calendar time, with approximate placement when only a year or month is documented. The connecting line shows observed sales prices in this currency, not an appreciation index: transactions may concern different chassis and specifications. Factory prices and unsold estimates are excluded.
Auction & sale history
| Date | Venue | Chassis | Record | Status | Amount |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 20 Aug 2016 | RM Sotheby's | Model-level · chassis not verified | Sale price | Sold | USD 132,000 |
| 25 May 2013 | RM Auctions | Model-level · chassis not verified | Sale price | Sold | EUR 134,400 |
| 1 May 2010 | RM Auctions | Model-level · chassis not verified | Sale price | Sold | EUR 151,200 |
| 22 Jun 2007 | Bonhams | Model-level · chassis not verified | Sale price | Candidate · Sold | GBP 95,000 |
Market observations describe documented transactions, estimates or offers. They are not themselves a current valuation of the vehicle.
06 / EVENTS & AWARDS
Events & awards
No events or documented awards are currently recorded for this vehicle.
07 / THE VEHICLE IN DETAIL
Photo gallery 6 photographs
08 / FROM THE ARCHIVE
Archive
References held in the vehicle dossier. Their inclusion does not establish that every historical claim has been independently verified.
| Reference | Source type |
|---|---|
| RM Sotheby's — 1953 Moretti 750 Gran Sport Berlinetta rmsothebys.com | Auction documented provenance |
| Sports Car Market — 1953 Moretti 750 Gran Sport Berlinetta www.sportscarmarket.com | Specialist market history |
| Automobile-Catalog — Moretti 750 Gran Sport Berlinetta www.automobile-catalog.com | Specialist model catalogue |













THE CONVERSATION
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