One of the dominant cars in the 1960’s touring car champion was the Fiat Abarth 1000 TC. Basically a Fiat 600, but after having gone through Carlo Abarth’s capable hands not much more than the bodyshell was left and all parts underneath had changed. It was for instance one of the weapons of Johan Abt, now famous for its participation with the Audi TTs in the DTM. Also Dutchman Ed Swart carried home many victories.
The Abarth versions were introduced in 1960, with 850 and 1000 cc OHV engines. In its ultimate form the 1000 TCR, R standing for the “radiale” indicating at the revised valve position, the engine produced a screeming 112 BHP, allowing for a top speed of 200 kph.
Production figures are unknown, and many Fiat 600s have been turned into “original” replicas, certainly in view of the premium prices that these car now command.
Shown is a 1965 built original example, presented at the Techno-Classica in Essen in 2004. To demonstrate that it is a real car, the owner showed the official FIA homologation sheet.
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