c.1959 FIAT 1100 'Abarth Evocation' Competition Saloon
Registration no. not registered
Chassis no. 51865

FIAT's original '1100' family, which had commenced back in 1937 with the 508C Balilla, eventually came to an end with arrival of the all-new 1100-103, which debuted at the Geneva Motor Show in 1953. The 1100/103 featured unitary construction of the body/chassis and was powered by an entirely new 1,089cc overhead-valve four-cylinder engine. Saloon and station wagon models were offered and a high-performance version soon followed, the TV (Turismo Veloce) being introduced at the 1953 Paris Salon.

The 1100 TV was an in-house product, but most of the more memorable high-performance FIATs of this period were the work of Abarth. After leaving Cisitalia in 1948, Austrian-born engineer Carlo Abarth set up as an independent in Turin, the home of the Italian automobile industry. From producing induction and exhaust systems, Abarth branched out into selling performance kits for - mainly FIAT - production cars, later building a highly successful series of sports prototypes and limited-series production cars, many of which were produced in conjunction with Carrozzeria Zagato. An innovative concern with a sporting pedigree second to none, Abarth was taken over by FIAT in 1972.

Although the FIAT models modified by Abarth over the years were many and varied, the company never turned its attention to the 1100, hence this one being termed an 'Abarth Evocation'. This particular right-hand drive car was delivered new to Pretoria, South Africa and retains the supplying dealer Capital Motors' plaque. Previously owned by Guy Harman during 2013/2015, it was driven in the Goodwood Revival's St Mary's Trophy event in 2015 by Rob Gravett and Autosports Editor Ben Anderson, finishing 11th overall. International best-selling crime novelist, Peter James acquired the car soon after. In 2017 Peter raced again in the St Mary's Trophy with co-driver Amanda Stretton, and as the sole driver in the 2018 Sears Trophy.