motor cars

MOTOR CARS | 95

Within the documentation file accompanying this example – chassis
number ‘131-003’ – there is a letter dated June 27,1997, from fellow
Abarth enthusiast and collector Engelbert Moll of Bellach, Switzerland,
to Fabrizio Violati providing a history for this machine. We understand
that it was manufactured in the Autumn of 1962 with one of Mario
Colucci’s experimental 1459cc power units, and was intended to
be driven for the first time in Switzerland at the Marchairuz hill-climb
on September 31 that year, driven by either Gianni Balzarini or Hans
Herrmann for the factory team. It was later re-fitted with a 1000cc
engine and entrusted to Vittorio Venturi, Engelbert Moll attaching the
photograph used here showing Venturi competing in the car during the
Vergato-Cerelio mountain climb, in 1963.

The same documentation file also provides a rather battered but
nonetheless interesting Abarth & C – Torino – Certificato d’Origine
for ‘Abarth 1000 Sport – Chassis N. 131/003’. The Certificate is No
264 and it is stamped Pubblico Registro Automob. Torino – January
11, 1985. A letter from Autofficina Poggi – the well-known Italian
competition company – to Fabrizio Violati dated October 12, 1977,
enclosing a minor bill for work upon the car. The inference of course
is that Fabrizio Violati owned this wonderful miniature sports-
prototype from the mid-1970s which would indicate a last long-term
ownership exceeding 37 years...

Studying this lovely and most desirable little gem today it is evident
that the chassis includes alternative engine mounting points within
its ‘centrale’ engine bay, which would match nicely with the engine
change from 1459 to 1000cc power unit previously cited.

Everything about the car today breathes the theories and practices of

the 1960s, from the right-side cockpit fuel tank to the dry-sump tank

behind it on the right-side of the midship engine bay, the wet-sump

engine installation which has plainly been in situ for long decades

past and the lengthy Fiat 600D-derived transaxle spearing aft from

the little 1-litre engine.

Upon more detailed inspection of the car as delivered to BONHAMS

it is evident that the engine turns freely by hand and that its cylinder

bores – when viewed through the spark plug orifices by introscope -

are in good condition. The water pump appears to be seized and the

engine electrics are presently incorrectly wired, although this is very

easily corrected. The car’s all-disc braking system is non-operational,

the master cylinder being currently seized, so a system strip and rebuild

is needed before the car could be used. The clutch is also apparently

seized and non-operational, but it is possible to select all gears.

This outstanding example of the 1-litre Abarth sports-prototype has

been inspected on BONHAMS’ behalf by very experienced marque

experts who much admired its originality and general condition after

so long on static display. We recommend ‘003’ here as being worthy

of the closest consideration. Expert inspection and re-commissioning

will obviously be necessary before a new owner should consider

running it in earnest – but this is indeed another little jewel of the

Collezione Maranello Rosso...

Please note this vehicle is subject to import tax should it remain in

the EU.

£110,000 - 150,000

€140,000 - 190,000