<< Prev Page 2 of 2 It would take until the start of the 1964 season before the two-litre Abarth Simca was fully homologated for the GT class. Whether the required 100 examples were ever built is highly doubtful. Development of the cars was continuous and the first 'Corsa' models featured wider fender flares and additional cooling intakes. Abarth also experimented with fibreglass panels and ahead of the 1965 season, a more aerodynamic 'long nose' was introduced. In this guise, the weight was reduced to just 665 kg.
Racing side by side, both by the works team and privateers the 1300 GT and 2000 GT were responsible for 177 of the 741 class and outright victories scored by Abarth during the year. Facing particularly strong competition from Alfa Romeo and Porsche, the 2000 GT placed third in its class of the World Championship. Blisteringly quick, the two-litre machine's only weak spot was the fragile six-speed gearbox. These were never used again but the Tipo 236 engine would power Abarth sports racers well into the 1970s.
The existing agreement between Abarth and Simca, which expired at the end of 1964 was not renewed as Simca's new American owners Chrysler had different plans for the French manufacturer. Production of the Abarth Simcas did continue into 1965. Following their racing career, many of the Abarth Simcas were stripped for useful parts, the hugely powerful engine in particular, at the factory so only very few examples remain today. << Prev Page 2 of 2
Ultimatecarpage.com
> Cars by brand
> Italy
> Abarth Simca
Racing cars
> GT Cars
It would take until the start of the 1964 season before the two-litre Abarth Simca was fully homologated for the GT class. Whether the required 100 examples were ever built is highly doubtful. Development of the cars was continuous and the first 'Corsa' models featured wider fender flares and additional cooling intakes. Abarth also experimented with fibreglass panels and ahead of the 1965 season, a more aerodynamic 'long nose' was introduced. In this guise, the weight was reduced to just 665 kg.