1966 Fiat 850 Abarth OTS 1000 Evocazione
How often does the opportunity to acquire an Italian classic car with genuine Targa Florio provenance come up? It’s certainly rare enough that when the lucky owner of this superb looking 850 Coupe contacted us about his car, our interest was very much piqued. It started out life as a 1966 Fiat 850 Coupè and stayed with its original owner for the next three decades. In 1989 it passed hands to Aiello Antonino, an amateur racing driver as well as talented tuner and mechanic, who proceeded to enter every single Targa Florio in the car between 1990 and 2006, finishing with a 6th place overall!
During his ownership, the work was undertaken to bring the vanilla 850 up to full Abarth 1000 OTS competition specification. Although Carlo’s modified performance model shared its svelte bodywork with the 850 Coupè, the similarites ended there. Bare shells were delivered to Abarth’s factory where they set about turning the humble 850 into a real performance car. The engine was heavily modified, capacity increased by 150cc and alongside it power rose to a heady 99hp, but the suspension, brakes and even the seating position also benefitted from the famed tuner’s attention. These cars are exceptionally rare, but still garner rave reviews for their road handling and driver satisfaction.
The build sheet the lucky owner of this special 850 sent us reads like any classic Abarthisti’s dream shopping list:
Brakes: “upgraded with double piston cylinders & Ergal aluminium components. A new brake pump must be mounted (from the 112 abarth because it mounts the mini servo at the end to make it easy to do heel and toe)”.
Suspension: “Front and rear stabilizer bars mounted on uniball, return arm guide box mounted on bronze bushings, front suspension mounted on bushings of bronze, rear suspension arms mounted on uniball (in order to meet FIA regulations) and original Abarth OTS 1000 front leaf springs with eyes overturned.”
Gearbox / Transmission: “Pinion and crown 7.41 and close gearbox as homologation chips of the time. Reinforced (oversized) and drilled modified drive shafts”.
Engine: “Oversized aluminum oil sump with modified suction tube with separator, rocker arms tappets (open and close the valves) mounted on bearings, valve guides in bronze. Intake manifold for 36 weber carburetor. Special molded pistons from racing models (same as the 58 hp abarth). Original abarth ots 1000 lightened polished connecting rods from an original Abarth racing 74 engine. Cooling system with original abarth recovery tank and front radiator with original abarth conveyor. Baistrocchi racing camshaft. New head bronze valve guides, original Abarth valves, machined pipes and polished, valve springs in special steel and titanium plates.”
Other: “Front mounted fuel tank as per homologation papers of the time”.
The car has been in storage for the last 10 years or so, but is currently being overhauled by a mechanic with a proven track record in preparing classic racecars. Thankfully, its owner has decided to keep the car in its original paint and racing livery, cosmetically unrestored (although the photos he sent over make it look in superb condition for a car that has clocked up a sixteen-years’ worth of the Targa Florio!). It comes complete with documented CSAI and FIA paperwork, meaning its next owner could well expand upon its formidable competition history. The car is currently located in Palermo, Italy. If you would like to be put in touch with the owner directly, simply fill out the form below and we will pass your enquiry on.
Available For Sale: €14,500
Please note - this car is in no way connected to italicar. We have not inspected the vehicle nor is any of the information above intended to be used as a recommendation nor affirmation of the veracity of any of the info supplied by the vendor. If you are interested in purchasing this car, we can put you in touch with the owner but please undertake your own checks and satisfy yourself that the car is suitable for you prior to agreeing to any purchase. italicar will not be held responsible for any financial losses or disputes related to the sale of this car.