We offer to auction a particularly rare opportunity to buy a scarce Italian Otas Grand Prix coupe, VIN #014. This 2 seat left hand drive model has sheltered in an extensive private collection since the current owner purchased it 9 years ago in the U.S. First registered in 1971 it was imported to the UK in 2010.

The Lombardi Grand Prix was introduced in the late sixties, based on a Fiat 850 with an attractive 2 door coupe body with distinctive pop up headlights. Cars for export out of Italy were badged as "OTAS" (Officina Transformazione Automobili Sportive) These are particularly low production run vehicles, making this a scarce opportunity to acquire such an eye catching Italian rarity. Most cars were sold in the US between 1968 and 1971 and had a list price of $3600.

California was undergoing many legislative changes regarding automotive emissions in the late 1960s, and during the period of late 1968-1969, vehicles with engine displacements under 50 cubic inches (819.35 cubic cm) were exempt from smog testing. As a result U.S specification OTAS 820 Grand Prix' used an 817cc version of the Fiat 850 4 cylinder engine. The engine is mated to a four speed manual gearbox and is rear mounted, giving rise to the OTAS 820 designation. This decrease in size was achieved by sleeving the block to shrink the bore one millimetre and create a smog-exempt 49.9 cubic inch displacement. Making up for its smaller size were a revised camshaft and a compression increase to 10.1. By combining this with a single barrel carburettor, Abarth tubular headers and exhaust meant that this compact engine made 52hp.

The suspension features upper A arms and lower transverse leaf springs in front, semi trailing arms and coil springs in the rear. It also features front and rear anti roll bars. Disc brakes are fitted to the front and drum brakes are fitted to the rear. A spare wheel occupies the space under the front bonnet.

Other changes for the American market which set the OTAS apart from the Lombardi included exterior side reflectors and high-back bucket seats with headrests, a five gauge instrument panel (as oppose to four)

These cars were originally offered in only 6 colours.

At only 3.55m in length the OTAS is not a large car, nor is it very powerful, however it is very light. The bodywork is mainly in steel, the original sales brochures stating a weight of only 630kg. A reputed top speed of 99mph is the result.

Vehicle #014 is accompanied by an extensive history file and service receipts from the US.

Do not underestimate the rarity value of this car, for example #010 belongs to the Lane Motor Museum of Nashville Tennessee, #015 is currently undergoing restoration and our research has found evidence of only around 20 of these OTAS cars surviving worldwide to date. It is estimated that originally around 100 OTAS 820 vehicles made it to production.

Chassis no. 100GB 1447434

Engine no. 100GB 000 1895704