Sometimes the most unlikely cars make the greatest race cars. Such is the case with the Fiat 500 and 600. What was originally devised as basic transportation for postwar Italy was turned into a track monster by famed tuner Carlo Abarth. While prices of real Abarths are approaching Ferrari money in some cases, there are plenty of enthusiasts out there who have set out and created replicas. Such is the case of this Abarth 1000TC recreation for sale in Eugene, Oregon.

Year: 1967
Model: Abarth TC1000 recreation
Engine: 1075cc inline-4
Transmission: 4-speed manual
Mileage: 92,905 mi
Price: $37,450 Buy It Now

CLICK FOR DETAILS:1967 Fiat Abarth 1000TC Recreation

1967 Fiat Abarth 1000 TC

I am offering my 67 Fiat Race car. I have developed the car over the last few years and had a blast with it, and now I am going to build something else, so it’s time for someone else to have some fun with it. This is NOT an original Abarth. It is originally a 67 Fiat 600 that has been built to the concepts of the era in which Abarth was racing. I have an Oregon title for the car and technically it is street legal. However, I have done nothing but develop the car for vintage racing. I bought it in Portland, Oregon, and it has a long history as a west coast race car.

When I bought it, it was painted just as you see. It is very nicely done aesthetically and presents very well. At the time it had an 850 based motor and an 850 transmission. The suspension was pretty much stock and the brakes were 850. I have, over the last few years, thoroughly changed it mechanically. I acquired a PBS 8 port head and an A112 Autobianchi short block and a close ratio 4 speed 600 based transmission.

I currently have two complete transmissions for the car. One is the close ratio 4 speed and the other a 5 speed utilizing the alquati 5th that I setup for race stress. I change the gears around back and forth to get what I want for a particular track. Both are included. The 5 speed is currently in the car. Both are equipped with Limited slip differentials. The engine was built for maximum output for racing. H-beam rods, very high compression, ported head, aluminum flywheel, engineered pistons, race clutch, two side draft DCOE Weber carburetors, etc. It is built to 1075cc and on the rolling road dyno it put out 113 hp at 7000 RPM. It has more in it than that, as my shift point on the track is 8000 and it is still pulling. I did not run it to 8000 on the dyno run as the motor was very fresh.

The rear suspension has the stock but reinforced Fiat trailing arms with Abarth bushings, and the springs are set for height and weight with adjustable shocks. It is greatly lowered at the rear. The outer hubs are engineered and setup with stronger bearings and to except Fiat 128 CV joints through the hub. The inner side of the axle is a type 3 Volkswagen CV mounted to a position fixed flange in the transaxle. This is an excellent setup which minimizes the angle of the half shaft due to the compact CVs. With the front suspension I started all over. I mimicked the Abarth concept with independent front suspension with an upper and lower A-arm and sway bar. I used coil over shocks and spring setup for sprint race cars as they are very compact and fit perfectly. Also, there is an unlimited supply of spring and shock rates available. The front body structure was reinforced as per Abarth as well as the upper A-arm. I have had some track time on this set up and have it pretty well dialed in. It is very different from running with the solid front end; very quick and very stable in the turns. If I was to take it to the next step, then the Pendolare swing arm setup for the rear would be next. It is fast as it is, but might be fun to try that setup. I then found a set of original Campagnola magnesium wheels the correct size and run Avon historic tread tires.

The brakes have been redesigned as well. The front and rear brakes are Fiat 850 calipers and rotors. Front style calipers on the rear as well, so they are the same piston size front and rear. I then setup a drop down pedal system with a true tandem front-rear brake setup which is fully bias adjustable. The braking is now incredible and very controllable. A current and completely to SCCA standard fuel cell up front set to the side to offset driver weight.

The cooling system is a front radiator as was the Abarth TC. I have the oil cooler in the back of the car since it is not integrated into the front radiator. There are two electric fans hidden in the front air dam for sitting on pre-grid on hot days. Unlike Abarth, I did not put the radiator at the end of the front air box but placed it at the back of the air plenum. I recessed it back about 8 inches to minimize any possible damage and allow room for the fans. It looks exactly like the Abarth setup but is a bit more functional.

Full aqueous foam flame safety system with electric control and exterior turn worker button. The belts are current through 2014. It has a current SCCA log book. I have the second seat which matches the drivers seat. I took it out to place the battery there to get my weight balance. It would be easy to bolt back in. The muffler on the car is not period. It was chosen as it gave the best performance on the dyno and still meet a pretty tight sound tolerance on most of the tracks we run on. If I had a choice I would run the TC exhaust out through the engine compartment, but they are blisteringly loud. The miles show over 92k, but are not relevant to anything.

I have two races on the engine and tires. These are vintage events, so total track time altogether might be 2.5 hours. So, its still very fresh. The tires are Avon full race tires with a historic pattern cut in them by Roger Kraus Racing. So, it’s very fast and will do battle with 1275 Sprites and Minis all day, as well as catch off guard a few bigger beasts.

If you have questions please feel free to call. I am West coast USA, PST, so during the day is fine. 541.510.5296 Joe Potter

To think that this menacing little beast is technically street legal made me chuckle. Wouldn't that be a riot taking this on the commute? Bet it would be a lot more efficient than most of these SUVs hanging about, though. Regardless, this is a neat piece and a quality build with some trick engineering solutions. As with all competition cars, they aren't cheap to build and if you wanted a real competition Abarth, you would be paying thousands and thousands more over this asking price.

If you're interested in this giant killer, or other interesting competition and vintage motors, visit our friends at the Sports Car Shop: http://www.sportscarshop.com/about/sports-car-shop-vintage-racing-team-page/

-Paul