motor cars

MOTOR CARS | 83

The car was acquired for the Collezione Maranello Rosso on June
12, 1990, its declared price being Lire 4,880,000. The original Bari
registration plates are included with the Lot.

This particularly attractive example of the model evidently began life
as an 850TC Stradale (fully-trimmed interior with small front radiator,
small Girling front disc brakes, rear 600D drums, standard road-
going suspension etc). At some stage the car has been re-trimmed
with front bucket seats and bench-type rear seat, but not to the
original, simpler upholstery finish. A 1967-1969 period front oil cooler
and water radiator set-up has also been added, together with similar-
period deep-intake fibreglass shroud.

The small retractable Stradale engine-lid props have been replaced
by a pair of tripod competition supports, while the female component
of the original Stradale supports remain visible beneath the lid. The
rev counter is a 10,000 rpm competition type, while the power unit
appears to be a competition engine which could displace either 850
or possibly even a full 1000cc. The installation is complete with an
external Carello oil filter and pressure/temperature control unit. All
these parts are perfectly original Abarth components.

The car’s Fiat chassis number agrees with the Abarth & Co chassis
plate. There are four-digit Abarth chassis number and type (214)
stampings both of which look absolutely correct to model and period.

Obviously any car which has spent many years as a static
museum exhibit will require expert inspection and some degree of
recommissioning before a new owner could use it in earnest.

Upon initial examination we have found that this Fiat Abarth 850

TC’s engine bores appear visually to be in good condition with no

evidence of corrosion. The engine turns freely by hand, but the water

pump is seized, one suspects due to internal corrosion. The clutch

is operational, and all gears can be selected easily. All brakes are

binding but operational, and the system would plainly require a full

strip and rebuild prior to the car being used.

Overall, this little Berlina is a most attractive presentation of the

Fiat Abarth 850 TC Nurburgring genre, and it could provide a new

owner with some highly entertaining motoring on both road and

track. We recommend the closest consideration as it will always

have the additional cachet of having for so many years been part

of the Collezione Maranello Rosso Abarth museum display. The

car’s original Bologna registration plates are preserved within the

documentation file accompanying this car, together with its original

Italian registration libretto booklet, an Automobile Club d’Italia Foglio

Complementare follow-up document and other paperwork relating to

the car’s verification and accession – in 1989 – as a Maranello Rosso

Collection exhibit.

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

the EU.

£20,000 - 30,000

€25,000 - 38,000