Vehicle Description
Vehicle to be offered for Auction sale WITHOUT RESERVE and SOLD to
the highest bidder June 2nd - 4th, 2017 at Russo and Steele\'s 5th
Annual Newport Beach California Auction. Please contact us for more
information. \r\n\r\nThe vehicle on offer is a faithfully restored
Fiat/Abarth 850TC, finished in a Blue exterior over a Black
interior. Only test mileage has been completed following
restoration. A five-year mechanical and cosmetic restoration was
performed for current vintage racing or street use by an
experienced Abarth expert, with the work completed 2016. Documented
restoration portfolio including Abarth and Co. parts manual, a list
of all work done with full cost analysis, and original receipts.
Factory and private publications of specifications and Road and
Track test data of period 850TC Abarth.\r\n\r\nThis particular car
is configured for both road and track use in the spirit of its
original specifications Tourismo Competizione. It has been
carefully prepared by Richard Britz of Vashon Island, Washington.
The restoration required a number of years accumulating genuine
Fiat/Abarth parts. Next came full and complete restoration of each
part, followed by mechanical, structural and cosmetic assembly of
the vehicles final form as shown. In addition to the owner, expert
consultants and/or parts suppliers were consulted including Alfred
Cosentino Faza; John Edgar Ere Ltd.; Mahlon Craft Ridgefield, CT;
Jim Houser Hawthorne Auto; Ray Mortensen Performance Apex, Ltd.;
Anthony Berni Berni Motori; Chris Obert C. Obert & Co.; Butch
Dennison Dennison International; and Ron Hulse Classic Rod and
Custom.\r\n\r\nThe car comes complete with long distance
endure-type fuel tank, structurally integrated roll bar and chassis
stiffening members, racing seats, 5 point harnesses, and a spare
but finished interior including a small emergency fire
extinguisher. Full Abarth instrumentation is contained in the 850TC
and Berlina Corsa dash pod and consists of tachometer, speedometer,
water, fuel, and oil pressure gauges. Headlights, additional
driving lights and all 850TC Nurburgring Abarth badges are original
or period correct. Heim-jointed, vertical mount parallel windshield
wipers are installed Abarth accessories extremely useful for high
speed touring or racing in the rain.\r\n\r\nLight weight 13 alloy
Cromodora wheels are fitted with mounting studs and moderate use
continental tires. Two extra Cromodora wheels are also provided.
The original 12 front compartment spare wheel restored is provided
with new spare tire, original crank-type jack and Fiat tool kit. A
wheel chock is provided and securing straps and leather and rubber
hold-downs are installed.\r\nCosmetically, the car shows well in
dark blue with ding-free freshly applied full paint coverage
matching the original color. All exterior chrome is show quality,
or, in the case of the badging, untouched and undamaged original
Abarth including the front grille common to this model.\r\n\r\nThe
drivetrain consists of the outstanding Fiat good four-speed
transmission, a competition clutch, and the Fiat 903 engine
modified with completion camshaft and improved oil distribution.
Oil capacity is 5 qts., held in the Abarth finned alloy stump
prominently visible from the rear of the car. Two additional alloy
stumps are provided of 4 qt. capacity. Carburation is by a Weber 30
DIC with K & N air cleaner for street use Tourismo. A larger
capacity carburetor should be fitted for racing - most usually
using an Abarth intake manifold and a Weber 36DCD, topped off with
an alloy velocity stack.\r\n\r\nThe engine compartment is clean and
tidy with Fiat and Abarth identification plates one original, one
restored. Engine cooling is by a belt driven water pump and fan
serving the main rear fully restored radiator, supplemented by
adjustable engine lid props. Most small ancillary parts of the car
have been professionally powder coated and all small bolts,
washers, and screws are stainless steel. Included in the sale price
are additional racing modifications and equipment, including an
Abarth auxiliary radiator and connecting pipes to the main
radiator. This mounts beneath the car transversely to maximize air
flow. Standard early style Abarth folding lid props serve
additionally to aid cooling and provide rear deck lid down force to
the rear driving wheels. Chrome lattice-like headlight stone guards
are provided but not installed.\r\n\r\nIn addition to the regular
Abarth-type muffler system mounted, an Abarth competition megaphone
type stinger exhaust is provided, this being primarily suited for
racing. Each exhaust system headers and exhausts have been ceramic
coated for minimal back pressure and high performance/low
maintenance.\r\nThe car\'s interior is fitted with two genuine
Abarth leg braces to ensure correct leg alignment for brake,
clutch, and accelerator. Contrary to its appearance diminutive
size, cute looks, etc., this is a high performance, small
displacement vehicle.\r\n\r\nThe car was originally conceived as an
850 displacement TC Tourismo Competizione - touring or racing in
English, back in the day this usage was possible. It derives its
additional designation, Nurburgring from the famous and extremely
difficult rack track in Germany, where, in its class the Abarth
850TC was victorious in long-distance racing. The car is somehow
strangely aerodynamically slippery. With its characteristic
semi-propped open rear engine lid serving as rear end down force at
speed- the faster you go, the grippier it becomes. Also, its rear
engine location provides for excellent traction, especially in the
rain.
