c.1959 FIAT 1100 'Abarth Evocation' Competition Saloon

• Delivered new to South Africa
• The only car of its kind in the UK
• 1,500cc engine
• Raced in the Goodwood Revival's St Mary's Trophy
• Present ownership since 2019
• Considerable subsequent expenditure
• Engine rebuilt in June 2025

FIAT's original '1100' family of the 1930s eventually came to an end with the arrival of the all-new 1100-103, which debuted at the Geneva Motor Show in 1953. The 1100/103 featured unitary construction of the body/chassis and was powered by an entirely new 1,089cc overhead-valve four-cylinder engine. A high-performance version soon followed, the TV (Turismo Veloce) being introduced at the 1953 Paris Salon.

The 1100 TV was an in-house product, but most of the more memorable high-performance FIATs of this period were the work of Abarth. After leaving Cisitalia in 1948, Austrian-born engineer Carlo Abarth set up as an independent in Turin, the home of the Italian automobile industry. From producing induction and exhaust systems, Abarth branched out into selling performance kits for - mainly FIAT - production cars, later building a highly successful series of sports prototypes and limited-series production cars, many of which were produced in conjunction with Carrozzeria Zagato.

Although the FIAT models modified by Abarth over the years were many and varied, the company never turned its attention to the 1100, hence this one being termed an 'Abarth Evocation'. This particular right-hand drive car was delivered new to Pretoria, South Africa and retains the supplying dealer Capital Motors' plaque.

Previously owned by Guy Harman during 2013/2015, it was driven in the Goodwood Revival's St Mary's Trophy event in 2015 by Rob Gravett and Autosport's editor Ben Anderson, finishing 11th overall. International best-selling crime novelist, Peter James acquired the car soon after. In 2017 Peter raced in the St Mary's Trophy with co-driver Amanda Stretton, and as the sole driver in the 2018 Sears Trophy.

Our vendor purchased the car at Bonhams' Goodwood Revival sale in September 2019 (Lot 203) since when it has benefited from considerable expenditure with specialists CCK Historic Racing and Restoration of High Hurstwood, East Sussex, there being detailed bills on file totalling over £20,500. In short: the car has been through a significant weight-shedding exercise and received new wheels, updated safety equipment, a gearbox rebuild, and two engine rebuilds, the most recent in June 2025. The car comes with CCK's dynamometer printout 126 bhp on a running in dyno, and has an estimated 132hp at +/-7,200rpm, freshly prepared to return to the race track. With a weight measured by CCK as 816kg and the fresh engine, it is sure to be a lot of fun. As well as Goodwood (it was invited to take part in the 2022 Members Meeting Sopwith Cup), it is eligible for the HRDC's 'Jack Sears Trophy', running to HRDC 'Touring Greats' pre-'60 regulations in the 'LESTON' class.