METRO for HACHETTE-ABARTH COLLECTION (vol. 15) Abarth Simca 2000 GT 1963 red

In February 1963, on the chassis of the Simca 1000, Abarth realized a 1600 GT with the intention of aiming for overall victories. When the sports authorities announced the impending abolition of the 1600 Gran Turismo class Abarth was forced to create an Abarth Simca 2000 GT. He presented it in March 1963. The car turned out to be immediately powerful (204 hp and top speed of 250 kph) but difficult to drive and with problems of gearbox fragility, derived from the economy car Simca 1000. Despite this, the car was very competitive and had many victories, especially in uphill races. During his racing career it continued its both mechanical and aesthetic evolution. It achieved important successes until 1968, although the agreement with the Simca had been cancelled at the end of 1964.