Description
Cool beans! This little car has given rise to more smiles than anything else this year. Everybody just loves it. The product of a recent build and transformation by a serial Liverpool-based Fiat enthusiast, this funky creation, running a tuned 767cc 4-cylinder engine, is very much a motorised roller-skate sitting on lowered suspension and upgraded brakes whilst the stripped-out interior boasts a full roll-cage, Porsche leather seats and a complete set of retro racing clocks. It really is a complete one-off! Ready to show or go, this car is all about fun and turns heads like nothing else can. Come and see for yourself.
Built in Barcelona, Spain in April 1972, the car started out as a Seat 600D, a diminutive 2-door saloon developed under licence from Fiat and based on the Italian company`s Fiat 600 itself styled by Dante Giacosa. With production commencing in May 1957 at the Catalonian Zona Franca plant, the 600 was a huge success with the equivalent of a 4-year waiting list of pending orders. Not surprisingly, it became the best-selling car in Spain from 1958 to 1968 and by 1971 it was estimated that one in four cars circulating in the country was a 600. Initially only available with forward-opening suicide doors, essentially three models were available - a saloon, a hard-profile convertible with roll-back canvas roof and a commercial. Always rear-engined, rear wheel drive, the 600 was powered by an inline 633cc 4-cylinder water cooled engine increased to 767cc in 1963, developing a heady 32BHP. Popular in Spanish culture, the 600 became and still is a modern icon in the country, appearing in many films and television productions.
Our car was registered for many years with a lady in Alicante before being imported in January 2023 by a Liverpool-based Fiat enthusiast keen to create his own Spanish-built Abarth replica. Indeed, the Fiat Abarth 850TC was based upon the Fiat 600D, so a Spanish equivalent was perfectly possible! The car itself arrived in it`s Burgundy livery sitting on 12” steel wheels and Black vinyl interior. Evidently a very solid, up and running car, the interior was stripped out and replaced with a pair of Porsche-sourced front seats incorporating Abarth logos surrounded by a full roll-cage, whilst the original speedo binnacle was removed and replaced with a set of digital clocks and race-inspired instruments. The car was lowered on adjustable coilovers, the original wheels replaced with genuine 13” Cromodora alloys with Nankang rubber and the shell treated to a two-tone paint scheme echoing the those from the 1960`s race series. Under the boot-lid, the engine was treated to substantial detailing with upgrades evident to carburettor, water and oil cooling systems and ignition.
I hope the photographs tell the story. This is one super-cool little car. The entire shell is very solid and whilst localised repairs are evident to a couple of the wheel-arches, the overall structure is excellent with just minor surface corrosion at the base of the front valance. The original Burgundy paintwork polishes up well and looks the part against the contrasting silver and white custom paint whilst Black-painted Cromodora alloys are practically new. The cabin is entirely race-inspired and so in-keeping with the soul of the car with comfortable seats, a fully operational digital pod, genuine MOMO steering wheel and floor-mounted fire extinguisher. Turn the key and the healthy 767cc fires immediately into life sounding almost wasp-like through the big bore exhaust. On the road, the car is an absolute hoot. Whilst never going to win any quarter mile dash, it is surprisingly nippy with a firm ride, pin-sharp steering and more than adequate brakes. On a sunny Saturday morning, I piloted the Seat across the hills and valleys of the West Dorset Downs. Probably the most fun I have had this year! What a reaction it engenders from other motorists - most just can`t stop staring and those who can get near enough are desperate to know what it actually is. This isn`t a car for the shy and retiring. It might not be fast but everybody just loves it and wants to know more.
The car comes with a small amount of Spanish history including it`s original title and number plates, some period literature, the original interior (seats and clocks), the original steel wheels, all importation and registration paperwork and a current V5C. Whilst both MoT and tax exempt, the car was inspected after importation and passed an MoT in February 2023 with no Advisory Notes.
So cool.
Shore Classics is based on the West Dorset coast within easy proximity of both Weymouth and the County town of Dorchester. As classic and vintage dealers, we offer full brokerage facilities. So if you require some help and guidance with selling your classic car or motorcycle, just give us a call today.
