Lot 237: 1968 Fiat Abarth 1000 TC

After Fiat had presented officially, in the autumn of 1960, the new D version of the 600, Abarth began the design of an 850 suitable for Grand Touring competition. The car saw the light of day in February 1961. For the first time the special agreements with Fiat provided for the supplying to Abarth of cars without front brakes, crankshaft, carburettor, exhausts, and other parts which were modified by Abarth. In this way, Abarth could achieve considerable economies and set an incredibly low sales price of just 850,000 Italian lira for the new 850 TC, a price that included a guarantee which Abarth had never before given for a modification. It came to only 210,000 liras more than the list price of the normal Fiat 600 D salon, despite the replacement of the crankshaft, pistons, piston rings, camshaft, air-intake manifold, carburettor, air filter, exhaust manifold and system, and engine sump; besides these modifications, Abarth also supplied an extra radiator, mounted crosswise under the floor, disc brakes, and reinforced, larger springs for the suspension. On request Abarth could supply a sports steering wheel, rev counter and oil temperature gauge. In order to obtain the homologation for the Touring category in international competition, Abarth had to reach a monthly production of 150 units to meet the 1,000 units required. Still using the mechanical parts and original structure of the 600 D, a 1962 version with a larger displacement of around 1,000cc was introduced. With this new engine, capable of being modified to various degrees, a racing version, the Corsa, was also put together with the power output boosted from 60 to 66bhp; this model was also homologated for international touring class racing. As time went on the 1000 TC Corsa saloon logically underwent certain changes, although the exterior of the new 1965 version did not reveal much apart from the front radiator which had been redesigned to improve cooling and aerodynamics. With further changes and the raising of the compression ratio to 12.2:1, an impressive 80bhp was obtained, enough to catapult this little saloon to 115mph. As time progressed, even stronger incarnations were available. This 1968 model is very special indeed as it is one of only 10 such cars that were acquired from new by the Italian Gulf team which campaigned the car extensively at the beginning of the 1970s. Later on this charming and potent racer was prepared by well-known Abarth racing stable Garavello of Tuscany and it has since been used on many a European hillclimb. Finished in blue over red and yellow with a black interior, we are informed by the vendor that this Abarth is ready to race and in good condition throughout. Complete with the all important FIA papers, it just waits to be used on the multitude of competitions in Britain and Europe for which it is eligible.