ABARTH-SIMCA 1300

ABARTH-SIMCA 1300

ABARTH-SIMCA 1300: GT World Champion up to 1300 ccm

Built in:                                   1962
First registration:                   04.06.1963
License plate:                        TO 539675
ABARTH VIN:                         130S*0067*

 

The technology:

Original ABARTH engine ABA 230 is missing
SIMCA engine - basd on a 1000 ccm engine
1288 ccm - 108 hp
Water cooler at the front & oil cooler at the rear
Original 4-ABARTH gearbox 9/35 without lock
Disc brakes at the front and rear
ABARTH CAMPAGNOLO magnesium wheels 5.5 x 13

In addition to the class up to 1000 cc with the FIAT ABARTH 1000 BIALBERO and the MONOMILLE, Carlo Abarth designed the ABARTH-SIMCA 1300 in 1962. Why was this type named ABARTH-SIMCA? Carlo Abarth wanted to build a vehicle for the class up to 1300 cc. To do this, he needed a base frame with a longer wheelbase and wider than the platform of the FIAT 600, on which his GTs up to 1000 cc were based. At that time, the FIAT group was working with CHRYSLER, which in turn owned the French car manufacturer SIMCA. Through this connection, Carlo Abarth was able to obtain inexpensive body shells of the the SIMCA 1000, the substructure of which was ideally suited.

The body was made by hand from aluminum at the ABARTH factory. The engine was a complete ABARTH development, had 1288 cc and 125 hp. Initially it had three crankshaft bearings, then from 1964 five bearings for better stability.

There are contemporary photos of a road version of the ABARTH-SIMCA 1300, even with bumpers. But it was intended for racing. This was its strength, proven by countless victories from 1962 to 1965.

Around 100 cars with 1300 cc were built in three versions:
1. The round tail version - engine type ABA 230
2. The duck-tail version - engine type ABA 230B
3. The duck-tail version with flip front - engine type ABA 230B

Carlo Abarth delivered the remaining 30 - 40 unsold body shells to Radbourne, the English ABARTH importer. Using the technology of the FIAT 124, Radbourne created a road-worthy sports car, which he offered starting in 1968/1969.

The history of this car:
The original documents of this ABARTH are available: an original factory racer. The car was registered 04.06.1963, first owner Carlo Abarth himself. This ABARTH-SIMCA 1300 has been proven to have participated in the following races:

-   9 June 1963 - Rossfeld Hill Climb - starting number 46 - driver Mauro Bianchi - 3rd place in the class up to 1300 cc
-   13 June 1963 - Prize of Vienna/Vienna Aspern Airport - starting number 79 - driver Mauro Bianchi - winner up to 1300 cc
-   14 July 1963 - 500 km race on the Nürburgring - starting number 122 - drivers Pilette & Möll -
     started as a prototype outside the classification - winner with a three-lap lead over the next classified vehicle
-   20 - 22 September 2002 - Le Mans Classic - starting number 20 - drivers Beck, Bode, Gelleschun -
    2nd place in the class up to 1300 cc