Moretti + Michelotti = Masterwork

Although better known for its style than its achievements on the track, the Moretti 750 Gran Sport Berlinetta is commanding 21st Century respect. Queen of the ‘Etceterinis’, this most racy Moretti is inspiring a whole new generation of car enthusiasts.

[dropcap]T[/dropcap]he image of Italian auto maker Moretti is clouded in the minds of many, and with good reason. Building cars in Turin as he did, Giovanni Moretti worked in the deep shadow cast by the city’s colossus, Fiat. In its later years, Moretti became an automaker whose cars were based on Fiat components in a manner that seemed random rather than rational. By the end of the 1950s, the built-from-scratch Morettis faded away with the company becoming more coachbuilder than carmaker.

Born in Reggio Emilia in 1904, the motor-mad Giovanni Moretti built a motorcycle at the age of 21 and completed his first car two years later. He transferred early to motor city Turin, where during World War II he successfully designed and produced electric delivery vehicles that met wartime needs. After the war Moretti converted to building a twin- cylinder small car, the 350-cc La Cita. Following this, in 1948, came a 592-cc four-cylinder model that was the cornerstone of the post-war production of Fabbrica Automobili Moretti SpA at Via Mantova, 38, Torino.