Sizzle in this hot classic Abarth – and it’s for sale

It’s time to live your classic competition dreams!

We couldn’t resist sharing this dinky, eye-catching classic.

This 1963 Fiat-Abarth 850TC is the real thing, an authentic example, albeit with some subsequent modifications – we’ll get onto them later.

But more than that, it’s for sale, right now, in an online auction. We bet you just have to click through to see more…

The real deal

This Fiat-Abarth’s tweaks might mean purists will frown, but it is the genuine article.

Its authenticity is assured due to the numbers stamped in the engine bay: ‘214’ is the model number for the 850TC, while ‘3801’ is the internal Abarth chassis identification.

Plus, its original Fiat number – ‘1519661’ – can be found on the chassis plate.

Two-tone treat

This Fiat-Abarth lived in Italy until, two years ago, its current owner imported it to the UK.

During that time it has been campaigned at a host of historic motorsport events, most recently in 2018, so it’s not a concours queen – and possibly all the better for it.

Strap yourself in

Inside, its standard seats have been swapped for a classic-style bucket with a four-point harness, as you’d expect from any competition stalwart.

The updates certainly don’t jar.

Step back in time

However, there are original items such as the Jaeger dials and the charming chrome script on the painted dashboard.

While its period, three-spoke, leather-trimmed Abarth steering wheel looks the part, too.

Dressed to impress

Don’t be fooled by this Abarth’s butter-wouldn’t-melt two-tone paintwork, though. Look closely and you’ll see some of the competition-spec changes its previous owners have done – by 1989 it had the look of a Group 2 car.

Check out its ‘Corsa’ front bumper, with oil cooler and front-mounted radiator.

Mean machine

In addition, it has been enhanced by the fitting of flared wheelarches as well as a ‘Stinger’ open exhaust, with an oval tailpipe.

But, of course, all these changes are reversible, if the winning bidder wants to return it to its standard specification.

Keep moving

As you might by now expect, that’s not its original engine, but it is a genuine motor of the correct type and specification.

The four-cylinder, 848cc, Abarth-tuned unit gives just a shade under 50bhp – and we bet it sounds fantastic!

Fetching footwear

It also wears these rather attractive 13-inch Campagnolo magnesium alloy wheels with nearly new Yokohama tyres.

And those are Girling disc brakes up front, the original drums out back.

It comes with a stack of paperwork detailing its history, a copy of its original logbook, and more.

Hillclimb hero or holiday runabout?

It’ll be up to its next owner if this car will return to competition, be enjoyed on track days, or settle into a gentle retirement of sunny weekend runs.

Either way, if it has piqued your interest, you have a week to bid on it. It is for sale now with Collecting Cars – click here.