1964 Abarth-Simca 2000 Corsa

Currently available through Pendine at Bicester Heritage an absolutely gorgeous Abarth-Simca 2000 Corsa.

"Although the partnership between Abarth and Simca ended in 1965 following Simca’s takeover by Chrysler, it produced one final and very special car. The result was the Abarth-Simca 2000. Abarth insisted that their name appeared first. This model was built around a Simca 1500 block and fitted with a pair of the largest Weber carburettors ever produced, the huge 58mm-choke DCOs. In its most highly developed form the engine delivered more than 200bhp. Independent road tests recorded top speeds of around 165mph.

Pendine is proud to offer chassis 0054, a genuine ‘short-nose’ Abarth-Simca 2000 Corsa with significant and well-documented period competition history in Italy. Raced extensively between 1964 and 1967, it competed predominantly in hill climbs, which were the natural hunting ground for Abarth competition cars. It also took part in the 1967 Targa Florio, car number 144, driven by Alfonso Vella. Earlier seasons saw the car raced by Gastone Zanarotti and Pierluigi Zanardelli in events including Trofeo Shell, Nave Colle Sant’Eusebio, Vallecamonica and Lumezzane. The history file contains more than sixty period images that confirm its competition use. It is believed that during its period career, the troublesome Colotti-type 6-speed gearbox was replaced with a more reliable Hewland 5-speed gearbox"