Vehicle Description
1965 ABARTH 1000TC 5M Competition Berlinetta
Year 1965
Make ABARTH
Type Tipo 210
Model 1000 TC 5M Competition Berlinetta
Type CSIA/FIA GR2/4 Competition Saloon
Chassis No FIAT 100D?1965262?
ABARTH No ABARTH 210 ?1651?
Engine No FIAT 100D 000 ?2025431?
Exterior Color WHITE
Interior Color RED
Introduction:
Now here is something you do not see ever day. A real ABARTH 1000TC
5M Competition Berlinetta! Not a replica, not a fake, not a clone,
but a genuine original "real deal" bonafide ABARTH ordered,
assembled and delivered new example! With the possible exception of
a Shelby Cobra or GT350, there is likely no other more commonly
replicated period GT automobile than ABARTH's giant killing,
1000TC. But wait... it gets even better... not only is this a
genuine, original example, it is also one of the very few, fully
documented from new examples built for and retained new as a
Factory ABARTH & CIE Racing Team vehicle. From 1967 until 1969, the
assigned driver was none other than Arturo Merzario who drove it at
numerous events including the 4 Hours of Monza and several European
Touring Car Championship races.
Despite both their diminutive size and price, most enthusiasts and
collectors shy away from these fantastic Italian GT racers simply
because it is nearly impossible to find an actual original example.
When a real one does become available, the sale of such a machine
is near instantaneous leaving those wanting one still waiting for a
chance at the next. Here today is that rarified opportunity and I
hope you, dear enthusiast, as such are paying attention!
Background:
ABARTH had been tuning FIATs since the early 1950s. The production
based 600 and later 600D's provided the optimum platform for no end
of "go-fast" bolt-on as well as more involved development and
modifications for flat-out racing in the ever so popular European
Touring Car Class as well as State-side in a variety of SCCA
classes. The 600D's 847cc engine became the basis of the 850TC
"Tourisimo Competizione" of family racers. These evolved in
parallel with the 1000TC which was fitted with an even more
powerful 1,050cc engine. The 850TC, was introduced in 1960 and the
847cc engine received special tuning from ABARTH boosting
horsepower to 52 and raising top speed to 92 mph. Performance was
further enhanced with disc brakes and the suspension also received
a variety of special upgrades and updates as well. The 850TC was
followed by the 850TC Nurburgring Corsa which featured an
additional 16 horsepower and a large front-mounted radiator. The
propped-open rear engine lid gave this series of cars a very unique
and distinctive look. When the engine lid was open, it not only
provided additional cooling to the engine but also acted as a very
useful rear wing, generating downforce to the rear wheels in a
manner Porsche had not yet even considered for their newly
developing "tail-happy" 911.
In parallel with the 850TC was the larger, Fiat-Abarth 1000TC.
These were aggressively raced against Mini Coopers in the D Sedan
class and provided plenty of competition for the British-built
Cooper. They were so competitive that they were eventually banned
from SCCA competition entirely. The 1000 TC evolved over several
years and a variety of improvement programs implemented by ABARTH
to keep them ever competitive. As such, they represented the last
and most potent evolution of these models due to the continual
improvement of the various versions which came before, so much so
in fact that the 1000TC was competitively raced successfully well
into the mid-1970s before as already mentioned being eventually
banned in most classes!
The first 1000 Berlinas appeared in 1962 and used a version of the
Fiat 600D engine. Prepared for road racing and track use, these
cars helped win points in the 1000cc Touring Car Class. They were
initially limited to only 68 bhp, and only finished 32nd at that
year's Rally Monte Carlo In 1964 the racing version was replaced by
the Berlina Corsa which incorporated a variety of overall
improvements.
The Berlina Corsa was distinguished by its front mounted radiator
that was placed upfront and in between the bumper bars. Its engine
was tuned to produce 76 bhp which enabled the car reach 185 kph.
Cooling and handling were greatly aided by permanetly opening the
engine hood on small fixed struts.
In 1965, the model was updated with a larger radiator and support
shroud which eliminated the need for a fan to cool the rear unit.
These were also the first versions to feature an ABARTH tuned
5-Speed gearbox "Tipo 5M" or "Tipo 5-Marce." Further improvements
came later in that same year and included window wipers that used a
new linkage and a fuel filler cap that was located in the center of
the front hood. These verions helped dominate the 1965 Division 1
Championship for 1000cc and smaller cars. They also secured
similarly structured Italian Championship sub-classes.
ABARTH continued on with this model in 1966 with a larger front
radiator shroud that extended the entire width of the car. This was
good to win the Division 1 Touring Car Championship and the similar
Italian Championship. The cars also competed in many Hillclimbs and
Rallies with intermittent success. Many of the factory works cars
in 1966 were painted with red checkerboard roofs.
Beyond 1967, the cars continued to race much in the same vein as
they did in previous years, dominating the 1000cc class of the
Italian Championship and the International Touring Car
Championship. In 1970, they were updated with huge rear flares for
Group 2 racing following the FIA's Appendix J International
Regulations. After that, those that survived suffered the fate of
many such period race cars... obsolescence and neglect. Add to that
rust and poor period track-side accident repair and very, very few
of ABARTHs original "TC" racers survived to find shelter with
enthusiasts and collectors once their race days were over.
Enthusiasm and the abundance of un-raced, production FIAT 600 and
600D Berlinas provided Italy's cottage-based automotive industry
with no-end of suitable "donor" vehicles that begged to become
"ABARTH clones" which today will leave an interested buyer with
roughly a 1 in 500 or so chance of finding an original example in
today's active marketplace.
ABARTH 210 ?1651? Then:
This particular 1000TC as did all of those built by ABARTH began
life as a partially assembled 600D with chassis no. FIAT
100D?1965262? and engine no. FIAT 100D 000 ?2025431?. Upon delivery
to ABARTH, the vehicle was given a two-part, unique identification
number that was stamped into the rear body near the original FIAT
stamped chassis number as well as on the supplemental ABARTH
chassis plate. Depending if the particular vehicle would be an
850TC or 1000TC, ABARTH assigned a different type or "Tipo" number.
850TC versions were given the nomenclature Tipo 214 and the 1000TC
variant was given the Tipo designation 210. This particular ABARTH
was completed as a 1000TC and it's unique ABARTH number was "ABARTH
210 ?1651?.
After being assigned the unique identity which was also the
vehicle's "job" number, ABARTH then finished assembly by rebuilding
the engine with increased displacement of 1,050cc. It was fitted
with a tuned intake manifold, special Weber, twin-choke, down-draft
carburetor, special cam, followers, springs, valves, pistons,
connecting rods, oil pump, toothed pulley and drive belts for the
accessories, deep...for more information please contact the seller.
