The Abarth 1000 is a family of small racing and sport cars built on the Fiat 600 and later on the Fiat 1000 platform, mostly in the 1960s. The 1000 TC, the Bialbero and the Corsa were the best-known versions, and they won hundreds of races in the 1000 cc class. This page covers the key facts, the history, the variants and the questions people ask most often.
Abarth 1000 at a glance
| Manufacturer | Abarth & C., Turin |
|---|---|
| Base | Fiat 600 (Fiat-Abarth 1000 TC, and later the 1000 Bialbero) |
| Engine | Fiat-based 982 cc, 85 hp in the 1000 TC |
| Racing class | 1000 cc, with the Giant Killer results from 1962 to 1971 |
| Production | The 1000 TC and its variants were built in the 1960s |
Production years for each version differ between sources and are not given in a single list here. The 85 hp figure is from the English article on the 750 and 1000 family.
History
The Fiat-Abarth 1000 TC used the 982 cc development of the Fiat 600 Bialbero engine, first fitted to the Zagato-bodied Berlinetta. Later models used very similar bodywork built in-house by Abarth, and these were called Abarth 1000 Bialbero. Between 1962 and 1971 the 850 cc and 1000 cc class cars won hundreds of races around the world, which is why they were called “Giant Killers”.
The Abarth 1000 TC and all its variants were, in the words of the English article, fierce racing machines with international success. The 1000 TCR, a Group 5 development, used Abarth’s Radiale cylinder head and produced 112 hp.
Design and features
- A rear-engine layout based on the Fiat 600, with Abarth’s own bodywork and badge.
- The 982 cc Bialbero engine, with the regular Bialbero output of 97 PS and the Corsa at 104 PS.
- Several body styles, with covered or uncovered headlights and different tail designs over the years.
Variants
- Fiat-Abarth 1000 TC: the touring-competition car, 85 hp.
- Abarth 1000 Bialbero: the car with Abarth’s own body and the Bialbero engine, covered by the Bialbero entry.
- Abarth Monomille (1000 pushrod): the pushrod-engined 1000 cc version, covered in its own entry.
- Fiat-Abarth 1000 TCR: the Group 5 development with 112 hp.
See also: the Abarth 850, the Abarth 750, the Abarth Monomille and the Abarth collection.
Abarth 1000 questions and answers
What is the Abarth 1000?
A small racing and sport car based on the Fiat 600 and built mainly in the 1960s.
How much power did the 1000 TC have?
85 hp, according to the English article.
Why were they called Giant Killers?
Because the 850 cc and 1000 cc class cars regularly beat much larger cars in races between 1962 and 1971.
Video: Abarth 1000 TC start-up
Video on YouTube.
Sources
- Fiat-Abarth 750, English Wikipedia: 1000 TC and 1000 Bialbero, Giant Killers, 1000 TCR, variants
- Fiat 850, English Wikipedia: OT 1000 family and related Abarth variants
- Fiat Abarth 1000 TC, Wikimedia Commons: photo and licence
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