Competition vehicle Unregistered

Chassis no. SE04/L-018

- Rare Abarth prototype

- Tremendous Cosworth/BDA 1600 engine

- Original and quick, streamlined shape

 

The Abarth SE04 (for Speziale Esecuzione) made its debut in spring 1966 as the 1000 SP. Designed by Mario Colucci with a tubular chassis, centrally-mounted engine and fibreglass bodywork, it was light and quickly made its mark in the 1000 cc class. A year later, a larger and longer model, the SE04/L, appeared, and in 2000 SP guise this also proved successful, particularly in hill climbs in the hands of the Swiss driver Peter Schetty. One of its finest results was at Montlhéry in April 1967, where the two Abarths driven by Johannes Ortner and Toine Hezemans finished first and second in the Coupes de Vitesse ahead of Ferrari and Ford!

 

The car we are presenting left the factory in 1967 as a 1000 SP SE04/L, as can be seen from the remaining Abarth chassis number registers and a valuation report by Sergio Puttini from 18 February 2009. At the start of the 1970s, following Fiat’s takeover of Abarth, which led to Abarth’s withdrawal from competition, it was necessary to make up for the shortage of racing engines. Four SE04 chassis are therefore understood to have been fitted with 1600 cc Cosworth-BDA-4 engines by Osella. The example presented here, chassis no. SE04/L-018, is one such car, equipped with the brilliant 4-cylinder, 16-valve 1600 cc Cosworth/BDA engine, mated to a Hewland HS8 5-speed gearbox.

In 2013, it was offered for sale at auction in Germany and then, in 2017, it was acquired by its current owner, a leading connoisseur of the make, who has regularly taken part in historic events. In addition, various restoration jobs have been carried out: from September 2018 – May 2019, on the engine and gearbox at Sahl-Engineering (Austria); in summer 2022, on the chassis and suspension in the workshops of Noci Motor (Italy), along with the replacement of the tyres; in October 2023, on the shock absorbers at RM-Productline (Austria) and, in June 2024, on the braking system at OK-Classic (Austria). In 2024, Arturo Merzario drove it for a demonstration run at the Ventilspiel meeting, held at the Spielberg circuit in Austria to celebrate Abarth’s 75th anniversary.

This rare Abarth prototype is therefore an ideal choice for many historic events, where it will attract attention on account of its originality, elegant styling and outstanding performance.

Photos © Filip Nagy