The Abarth-Simca 2000GT tackles the Targa Florio and historic endurance racing with the unfiltered intensity of a fully prepped vintage racer.
The Abarth-Simca 2000GT Features Classic Design and Racing History
The Abarth-Simca 2000GT contested the 1967 Targa Florio alongside numerous other events, as AUTOCAR JAPAN reported.
The European-specification 1963–1965 model features a sweeping front nose housing round headlights and a tapered rear finished with a ducktail spoiler. Bullet-shaped door mirrors and Campagnolo alloy wheels wrapped in Dunlop tires complete the exterior stance, while the Abarth oil pan protrudes visibly beneath the rear. Filling the fuel tank to capacity reportedly helps correct the extreme rearward weight bias.
Full-Attack Dynamics on the Road
Dropping into the modern bucket seat, activating the main switch, and feeding fuel via the electric pump precedes turning the ignition key. The engine barks to life with a sharp concussive pop, announcing the presence of the aggressive Abarth-Simca to everyone nearby. Although muffled somewhat by a silencer, the exhaust note pierces the eardrums as dual Weber carburetors overlay a complex chorus of heavy induction noise.
Selecting first gear requires minimal effort, though few drivers choose this vehicle for a leisurely Sunday drive. The machine itself rejects any notion of a relaxed pace, lacking selectable drive modes and operating permanently in a full-attack state. Stomping on the accelerator unleashes a sudden rush as the 2.0-liter engine climbs aggressively toward a redline dialed back to 6400 rpm for this outing.
Weighing just 660 kg and producing over 200 horsepower, the coupe accelerates with a staggering ferocity that belies its compact, rounded proportions. Once a driver adjusts to the slight vagueness of the shift gate, the five-speed manual transmission allows rapid, decisive gear changes at the driver’s absolute limit. The handling profile proves remarkably engaging, offering a dynamic balance that evokes early Porsche 911 models set up for the Le Mans Classic.
