Abarth-Simca GT Coupé, 1965
Abarth
Abarth•
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Chassis No.: 136/0125
£117,500 GBP | Sold
- Ultra-rare long-nose duck-tail body
- Sold by the factory to Radbourne Racing in 1968
- Fitted with a Simca 1200S Coupé Bertone engine
- Converted to right-hand drive
- Professionally restored by DTR Sports Cars 2019-2021
Following the end of their successful 1965 season, Abarth retained the 30 cars they still had at the factory. They remained there until 1968 when a deal was struck with the UK Abarth concessionaire, Radbourne Racing, and all 30 were sent to England, after being stripped of their mechanicals. All were left-hand drive and none had any provenance or evidence of racing history.
This Abarth Simca is one of those cars, only seven or eight of which had long-nose duck-tail bodies, and at least three of which were quickly sold abroad. It was bought by an enthusiast and built up into a usable road car over the next few years, receiving a Simca 1200S Coupé Bertone engine and being converted to right-hand drive. The Simca engine is a perfect fit since it and the sub-frame were designed for each other in the first place, and with its two twin-choke Solex carburettors produces around 90bhp. Weighing only around 660kg, and with a 150bhp/ton power-to-weight ratio, the car has surprisingly sparkling performance, and with its reproduction Campagnolo wheels, excellent handling.
The Abarth is believed to have been first registered in 1979 in that form. The builder is believed to have kept the car until his death, when it passed to his grandson, who eventually sold it on. It was then acquired by DTR Sports Cars in Coulsdon, Surrey, one of the UK's leading restorers of Italian cars.
On the vendor's behalf, DTR undertook a incredibly extensive and meticulous restoration of the entire bodywork and mechanicals, commencing in 2019 and completing the work in August 2021. The car has covered only some 1,000 miles since then and is said to remain in very good condition. (Although the windscreen is delaminating a little at the right-hand side, a new windscreen comes with the car.) Reproduction 2-litre engines are available, and should a buyer prefer left-hand drive, it would be relatively straightforward to return the car to that configuration.
Finished in period Rosso Alfa, the car has a 2000GT chassis number, '136/0125', and has been fitted with all the correct body parts and badges. It should be noted that the private registration will be removed before sale and a age related registration allocated.
Only two Abarth Simca long-nose cars have come onto the open market in the past 10 years, so the chance to acquire this beautiful professionally restored example is quite possibly a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.
Interested parties should note, the private registration is being retained by the seller, and a new V5C with an age related number plate has been applied for.
https://cars.bonhams.com/auction/29334/lot/109/1965-abarth-simca-gt-coupe-chassis-no-1360125/
Стоимость
577 484 AED
