1962 1330 GT Corsa

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The Abarth Simca 1330 GT Corsa 1962 is a classic sports car that packs a punch under the hood. It is a reworked version of the Simca 1000 model, made by the legendary Italian car tuner Carlo Abarth. The GT Corsa has a small but potent engine that produces 84 horsepower at 6,200 revolutions per minute (RPM). For its time, this was exceptional performance, and the GT Corsa quickly gained a reputation as a street-legal race car.

The engine is a four-cylinder, inline unit with a displacement of 1,290 cc. It is configured as a rear-mounted, rear-wheel-drive layout. The engine is equipped with a four-speed manual transmission and a single Solex carburetor. The transmission and the carburetor are both part of Abarth’s tuning, providing a sporty feel and quick acceleration. The car also has an improved suspension and brakes to handle the engine’s output.

The body of the GT Corsa is sleek and aerodynamic, measuring just 3.78 meters in length and 1.43 meters in width. The car’s weight is only 840 kg, which enhances its agility and speed. The chassis is a modified version of the Simca 1000, featuring independent MacPherson strut suspension at the front and a rigid axle with coil springs in the rear. The brakes are disc at the front and drum at the rear, with hydraulic circuits to improve stopping power.

Inside, the GT Corsa has a no-nonsense, spartan interior. There are two bucket seats with black leather upholstery and a basic dashboard with only essential gauges, including speedometer, tachometer, and fuel gauge. The steering wheel is a small, sporty unit with the Abarth logo in the center. The car has no air conditioning or radio, but the driver does get a small window to enjoy fresh air.

The Abarth Simca 1330 GT Corsa 1962 was built for racing, and it shows in its performance and design. Its small size, light weight, and powerful engine make it quick and agile, while the suspension and brakes provide excellent control. While it is not a comfortable car to drive, it is a thrilling one, and it has proven to be a popular choice for vintage car collectors and racing enthusiasts alike.

Milestones

- 1962: The Abarth Simca 1330 GT Corsa is first introduced at the Geneva Motor Show - 1963: The Abarth Simca 1330 GT Corsa wins its class at the 12 Hours of Sebring race in Florida, USA - 1964: The Abarth Simca 1330 GT Corsa achieves a top speed of 210 km/h during a test run in Italy - 1965: The Abarth Simca 1330 GT Corsa competes in the 24 Hours of Le Mans race, finishing in 32nd place overall - 1966: A revised version of the Abarth Simca 1330 GT Corsa is released, featuring improvements in handling and aerodynamics - 1967: Production of the Abarth Simca 1330 GT Corsa ends, with a total of 200 units produced.

Technical

• The Abarth Simca 1330 GT Corsa was manufactured in 1962 in Italy.

• The car featured a mid-mounted 1.3-liter inline-four engine with a maximum output of 105 horsepower.

• It had a lightweight chassis, weighing only 720kg (1587 lbs).

• The top speed of the Abarth Simca 1330 GT Corsa was 248 km/h (154 mph).

• The car featured a five-speed manual gearbox and rear-wheel drive.

• The suspension system consisted of independent front suspension and a live rear axle.

• The braking system used disc brakes on the front wheels and drum brakes on the rear wheels.

• The car's body was made of fiberglass, which helped to reduce its weight.

• The interior of the Abarth Simca 1330 GT Corsa was very basic, with only two seats and a few gauges to monitor the car's performance.

• The car was designed for racing and was highly successful in motorsport, winning numerous races and championships.