Fiat 850 Spider Abarth OT 1000

Most car enthusiasts are familiar with the exploits of Carlo Abarth. Famed race car builder, he later diversified into also selling high performance parts for both the street and racing and eventually his business was sold to Fiat. There is always passionate discussion when Abarths come up for sale as to whether they are genuine or not. Abarth had a catalog of racing and performance parts that one could buy to customize their stock Fiat. I've had several genuine rear engined Abarths in the past including an OT 1000 with the original engine and am familiar with what to look for concerning originality. I bought this car sight unseen a while ago in the hope that it still had an original 202 Abarth engine. Upon partial disassembly of the engine, I saw that it had a standard crankshaft and the engine was not stamped AB and that it was not the original engine to this car. SO, was this car built as a factory Abarth? I'm clearing out some project and need to sell so I will let the buyer decide. Supposedly there are some records in Italy and perhaps it could be verified.

Here are clues to whether this car is a genuine Abarth or not. First of all, this is the early covered headlight model as were all Abarth OT 1000 cars. Secondly, this car has the Abarth only open rear panel. This panel was obviously put on many many years ago before Abarths were worth a good bit of money and before reproduction panels were made. Thirdly, this car has the Abarth horn button. Fourthly, this car has disc front brakes put on long ago which I have never seen on a stock 850 of this year. It does not have the Abarth front emblem but upon looking at the front of the car from inside the hood I see a few dots of body filler where it looks like the original winged embled would be bolted. I'm also not sure if the USA only bumper overiders and side lights are stock or were put on later.
Putting all notions of this car being a factory Abarth aside, it is an untouched and highly desirable early covered headlight 850. It has rust along the lower rockers and some rust underneath. It will require the restorer of this car to be proficient with a welder. The original interior is complete and includes a tonneau cover. I'm selling this car for a very very low starting bid with no reserve. This car is sold with an older open title and this document is good for export to any country. International bidders are welcome and if interested, I can put the winning bidder in touch with a shipper who could transport this car.

If you are a race car enthusiast and into cars like Alfa Romeo, Austin Healey, Ferrari, Jaguar, Lancia, Lotus, Maserati, Porsche 356, 911, 912, Renault, and others then this car is worth a closer look.