• Year of manufacture 
    1980
  • Car type 
    Single seater
  • Chassis number 
    085
  • Competition car 
    Yes
  • Condition 
    Used
  • Interior colour 
    Black
  • Number of seats 
    1
  • Location
    Switzerland
  • Exterior colour 
    Red
  • Performance 
    132 BHP / 134 PS / 99 kW
  • Drivetrain 
    2wd
  • Fuel type 
    Petrol

Description

What do you get the man or woman who has everything? A single seat, open top race
car and piece of automotive history with 250bhp per tonne of course...

1 of just 150 ever built, this highly collectable vehicle would be equally at home on track, in an established collection or perhaps to be enjoyed as a piece of automotive art.

The history:

To understand the significance of this car to motorsport enthusiasts and diehard Abarth
fans, it is worth noting that this vehicle, of which just 150 were produced, was the last
automotive design contribution of its famous namesake Carlo Abarth.

Take yourself back to Italy in 1979. After the success of the Formula Italia which ran from
1972 to 1979, Fiat and their racing subsidiary Abarth were once again called upon to
engineer a new single seat race car for the next decade. 

The new race series, run by the Italian body CSAI or, la Commisione Sportiva
Automobilistica Italiana, was to provide yet another springboard for aspiring young
drivers to eventually progress to higher level racing including for the very best, Formula
One.

In the spring of 1979, Carlo Abarth was sadly diagnosed with stomach cancer. He
wished to visit the Turin factory which saw the creation of many famous sports and race
cars bearing his name one final time. 

During his visit he was presented with the model designated SE 033. Critical of how the
car looked, he sat down with his former colleague and employee, chief designer Mario
Colucci. Taking some cardboard and a pair of scissors, he reimagined the car’s shape.
In the words of Abarth biographer Luciano Greggio there was “a touch here, a cut there, he
worked for an hour in the role that he loved so much because he wanted to leave his
mark one last time on a car which, deep down, he still felt was his…”

Passing away on the 23rd of October 1979, it was to be his last contribution as a car
designer.

The car he left his final mark upon would eventually take part in the Formula Fiat-Abarth
series for 7 seasons, from 1980 to 1986 and propel the likes of Alessandro Nannini to
Formula One amongst others.

The car:

This Fiat-Abarth SE 033 Formula 2000 example is number 85 of 150 built.

Having once been a car that was well and truly put through its paces on the track, it
subsequently benefitted from a nut and bolt restoration over many years by a Swiss
Abarth enthusiast with links to the Sauber F1 team. All parts that were heavily used and
worn when racing were replaced with original spares and the car was carefully
refurbished to ensure originality. This also included a respray in the original livery with
correct Abarth paint batches.

Following a loving and extensive restoration it was sold to a Swiss-French collector
where it formed part of his extensive collection of Italian automotive greats.

Bought by its current Swiss owner in 2016, the car formed part of his extensive collection
and benefitted from CHF 4000 worth of servicing in 2018/2019 to bring it back to perfect
running condition. The work undertaken included a new cam belt, overhaul of the Weber
44 DCNF carburettors, and entirely recommissioning the braking system. There is also a
new gel battery and external charge system to maintain it.

For aspiring race car drivers, mastering this single seater which is capable of 234km/h
would provide excellent training for all levels and classes of motorsport. Aside from track
days, hill climbs are a tantalising prospect. For the more subdued, great pride could be
taken from demonstrating this motorcar at events or of course, simply enjoying its
presence in one’s collection.

Sadly due to personal circumstances the current owner has not been able to enjoy
driving the car. As a result it is in excellent condition, ready and waiting for an
enthusiastic and discerning owner to enjoy everything it has to offer, either on or off the
track.

Technical information

Engine:
Four cylinder (DOHC)
1995.037cc with each cylinder displacing 498.759cc precisely.
Bore 84.0mm 
Stroke 90.0mm
Compression ratio 8:9:1
Power: 132 BHP at 6000rpm
Torque 179Nm at 3000rpm

Gearbox:
The engine is mated to a 5-speed gearbox plus reverse made by Lancia for the Beta
Montecarlo. Single dry clutch.

Dimensions:
Weight: 530kg
Length: 3450mm
Width: Front 1426mm. Rear 1471mm
Fuel Capacity: 32 Litres

Body:
The frame is a central monocoque made of steel sheet filled with polyurethane. The front and
the rear are constructed with tubular frames for easy replacement in the event of damage.
The bodywork is produced from self-extinguishing glass fibre reinforced polyester.
Wheels and tyres:
Alloy wheels adorned with Pirelli tyres. 175/50/13 on the front and 265/40/13 on the rear.