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This car was purchased from Radbourne Racing, the UK Abarth importer, in 1969. The first owner road registered the car in 1971 but then laid the car up for the next 43 years. The original bill of sale and UK registration document for this car still exist (not photocopies) The current owner purchased the Abarth Simca in 2015 and embarked on a 4 year restoration. Due to being laid up for some many years, the bodyshell was in superb condition and only required paint stripping and repainting in its original French blue.
The car is technically correct except for the engine which is a later cambelt version. The engine is dimensionally correct with an 80mm bore and 55 mm stroke and utilises Abarth and Abarth Simca parts. Twin Weber 40DCOE carburettors are fitted together with a silenced version of the Abarth 'Stinger' exhaust system.The resulting 135 bhp power unit is strong, free revving and produces a wonderful sound!
The engine is supported by Abarth Simca arms and the cooling system is 'standard' Abarth Simca albeit fitted with a larger electric cooling fan.
The transmission is a close ratio four speed transaxle fitted with an Abarth 10/35 ring and pinion.
The suspension is Abarth Simca with front leaf spring and coilover dampers. The rear includes OE Koni coilover supplementary dampers.
The braking system is OE Abarth Girling three pot calipers all around with mechanical 'lobster claw' handbrake.
The wheels are 5.5 and 7 x 13 Campagnolo alloys.
Steering is correct for the model including hydraulic damper and anti shake 'factory' steering box support plate.
Externally the car has all the correct badging and scripts together with plexi-glass headlight covers and side/rear windows. The front screen is laminated and serviced by an Abarth parallelogram wiper set-up.
Inside the car is 'standard' Abarth Simca with Jaeger instruments and Abarth steering wheel.
The sight and sound of this car at speed, is truly exhilerating.
The Longnose version of the Abarth Simca was the very last evolution of the model and competed successfully in the 1965 season. However, due to the acquisition of Simca by Chrysler during that year, the Abarth Sinca programme came to an abrupt halt. In consequence, very few Longnose cars were built and they are now extremely rare. It remains one of the most beautiful body designs and is a testament to the Italian coachbuilding art.
The Longnose was, like all Abarth Simcas, an aluminium shelled car however it was Abarth's first foray into fibreglass, which was employed for the distinctive tipping nose section. The OT series that replaced the Abarth Simca was made entirely of fibreglass in respect of the bodyshell.
