1962 FIAT ABARTH 1500S EVOCATION

This Fiat Abarth 1500S Evocation is a charming classic racer, finished in an eye-catching livery and with recent competition provenance at some of the UK’s most prestigious events. Under the bonnet is a 1.5-litre inline-four, fed by twin Weber downdraft carburettors and producing around 110hp, driven through an uprated four-speed manual transmission and a limited-slip differential. The car only weighs around 950kg, so it delivers spritely performance on track.

It is understood that this car was raced and rallied for many years in Denmark, before it was acquired and imported to the UK in 2012. Upon arrival, it was sent to CCK Historic in East Sussex, to upgrade the car and ensure it was FIA-compliant for HRDC racing. A roll cage was already fitted, but CCK added extra bracing and a fire suppression system. In the boot area is an FIA specification racing fuel cell, with a filling neck protruding above the boot lid for fast refuelling.

The suspension was also upgraded, with a lowered ride height and altered camber settings at the front and rear. The limited-slip differential was also installed at this point, as well as competition specification half-shafts. It was equipped with six-inch-wide steel wheels on all four corners.

Having seen early competition in the HRDC series in the hands of Guy Harman, the car was spotted and invited to participate in the 2013 Goodwood Revival meeting, where it would be supported by Fiat UK’s Abarth division - and entered as a ‘Works Abarth UK’ model. At this event, it would be driven by former British Formula 3 champion and Hesketh F1 driver, Rupert Keegan - and it was so popular that it received an invitation to the 72nd Members’ Meeting.

After a significant overhaul in 2015, the car contested the St Mary’s Trophy at that year’s Goodwood Revival meeting, by which point the exterior has been refreshed to its current livery. It was driven at this event by Graham Robson and 2016 BTCC runner-up Sam Tordoff.

The car is eligible for the ‘TC63’ class within the well-known ‘Touring Greats’ series run by the HRDC, including popular races such as the Coys Trophy for Touring Cars at the Donington Historic Festival. As it is believed to be the only such example of the Fiat 1500 that is still being used for active competition in Europe, it is also a great candidate for future invitations back to Goodwood.

Despite the fun aesthetic, this is a racing car that puts function over appearance, so the paintwork is in poor condition in places. There are some chips, scratches and swirl marks as you would expect, and some more noticeable damage on top of the driver’s side front wing near the headlight. The vibrant livery still gives this car a superb period style, with charming details like the ‘Abarth & Co.’ logo, ‘Abarth Corse’ motifs and Italian Tricolore on the C-pillars. The steel wheels have some nicks and grazes around the rims, but are all still sound.

Inside, the dashboard and switchgear layout is wonderfully simple, and there is a three-spoke Abarth steering wheel in place. Dark red vinyl is used for the front passenger seat and rear bench, extending onto the door panels, while the driver has an OMP bucket seat with a five-point Sabelt harness. A roll cage is of course also fitted.

The car is reported to be in good mechanical condition, starting on-the-button and running well. Its most recent mechanical work of note took place during 2015, when Woolmer Classic Engineering of Bedfordshire carried out an overhaul of the engine and suspension, installed new carburettors and a competition exhaust system. The wheels are fitted with Dunlop StreetResponse tyres on all four corners, which are in good condition.

This Fiat Abarth 1500S Evocation is an intriguing classic competition car, representing a rare model, and may well be the only car of its kind still actively racing. With recent motorsport provenance at prestigious events, this handsome ‘Berlina’ could be an ideal entry point to historic racing, and is sure to be a talking point in any paddock.

The description of this auction lot is, to the best of the seller's knowledge, accurate and not misleading. Collecting Cars requests a range of detail about the lot from the seller, and performs a level of due diligence through HPI checks and MOT history where available. However, bidders must satisfy themselves as to the accuracy of the description, and conduct any research they feel is necessary before committing to a bid. Please see our Terms and Conditions for full details.

As this car is not UK-registered, it cannot be run through Collecting Cars’ standard online HPI check process.