Description
Race car, registered, taxed and insured although not road legal in Spain. Holds its original Spanish registration, first registered 2nd Feb 1972 in Madrid. Built in Spain by SEAT under FIAT license.
Built for historic endurance regularity track events. On its original 1608 cc FIAT twin-cam engine, matching numbers. The model holds FIA homologations 5341 as FIAT and 5479 as SEAT.
I bought the car in 2012 as an honest, mostly original road car that had seen little use despite its age. Originally yellow, it had been painted two-pack silver at some point. Yellow is still present on the engine bay and on the floors of the stripped interior. Bodywork is absolutely rust-free thanks to local climate and to having being garaged all its life. The bonnet is fibreglass and it is vinyled in black. An Annex J-certified ORECA (certificate present) roll cage manufactured in 2013 is installed, together with an OMP TRS competition seat and a RRS four-point harness.
Upon purchase, the car was extensively refurbished and all the mechanical components were restored (see photos). The engine is the original 1608 cc FIAT unit, still on its standard bore. The cylinder head was fully refurbished and ported, but compression ratio was maintained. The two original Weber carburettors are installed and the air filter box has been replaced by K&Ns. The original iron cast manifold and 40 mm bore exhaust line were replaced by a 4-1 manifold and the 50 mm bore exhaust line that was OE on the later 2000 cc FIAT-engined SEAT twin-cams. The corresponding two silencers are installed, that making the car compliant with even the most exigent track noise regulations.
The car sits lower than standard due to lower, stiffer springs (x2) all round. Yellow adjustable Konis are also fitted. All silent blocks were replaced by new rubber, OE items. Rims are new, period-look, 13 x 7 ATZ alloys (five are present) and tyres are 185/ 60 R 13.
Rear brakes are original 227 mm discs and calipers, but front brakes were upgraded to 257 mm FIAT Croma non-vented discs and Girling two-pot calipers. Transmission elements are all original, with its 5-speed gearbox and standard (non limited-slip) differential.
The original dashboard, door cards and headlining are maintained. All the gauges work, the clock having been replaced by an oil temp gauge using the same space. The heating system was removed and an oil cooler is installed. The steering wheel is a MOMO Monza item and the windscreen has been replaced by a brand new, laminated one.
The car is absolutely reliable but by no means slow. It runs beautifully and smoothly, the engine does not consume any oil and no expenses are expected. It has never missed a bit and has been a finisher at every event it has been part of.
Due to family, work, other classics and other commitments, the average use, which used to be between one to two events per year, has gone down to close to nothing post-pandemic, which is the genuine reason for sale. The car has just been serviced and is ready for any inspection, including a test drive if on private land. It also comes with some, mostly mechanical, spares. All the original Drivers, Warranty and Service Manuals are present and some old paperwork, including the January 1972 bill of sale, comes with the car.
The car can be seen in Madrid (Spain) and I could bring the car close to Madrid airport for inspection if required. Priced to sell, no offers.
