Miguel Sánchez
PHOTOS ABARTH 850TC: FCA ABARTH / CHERAL AUTO
A few weeks ago Ferrari presented the SF90 Stradale. A hybrid with four engines capable of delivering 1001CV. And well, the tremendous thing about this is that such horsepower hardly attracts our attention. For years sports manufacturers seem to be possessed by a voracious breath when it comes to adding more and more power.
With what purpose? That is a good question.
Obviously many horses can be the most interesting in a circuit. But there are areas where some less powerful cars can cope with those with an airplane complex. Of all of them, perhaps the best exponent is the Abarth 850TC. A little guy developed from an innocent FIAT 600 that during the 60s and 70s became a racing myth with only 52 / 57CV depending on engine compression.
Thanks to the fact that it is an extremely customizable car, versions appeared that even exceeded 100CV. But still ... It has ten times less power than one of the current supercars. Why do we tell you all this? Then so you turn up the speakers. And see how good a car can sound that, a priori, does not have a heart attack rate.
This is what a FIAT-Abarth 850TC sounds like.
CARLO ABARTH'S SPORTS VISION
In 1955 FIAT presented the 600. A small utility that needs no introduction and of which millions of units were sold. Far from having a sporting vision, the 600 responded to the urban mobility needs of the incipient postwar middle class in Italy. But nevertheless Carlo Abarth's vision had the virtue of seeing cars from a very personal perspective.
Like John Cooper with the Mini, Carlo Abarth saw in the 600 potential to spare for racing. Its engines from 21 to 32CV according to the version did not predict anything promising, but the truth is that its light weight, short wheelbase and easy customization gave any car preparer plenty of play.
5 months after the presentation of the 600 Abarth launched the first interpretation of the model. It was the 750. This modified the engine very little, but significantly improved behavior thanks to the transformation of the suspensions and aerodynamics. The sale of those transformation kits was a success both on the streets and on the circuits. So Abarth was encouraged with a more radical version.
850TC. THE SCORPION STING
In the late 1960s Abarth introduced the 850TC. The lower height of the suspensions, as well as an additional radiator in the front hung abruptly, announced that you were facing a FIAT stung by the Abarth scorpion. The 847cc engine was boosted to 57CV in some versions with a higher compression ratio, being capable of exceeding 160 km / h.
Right away the good results in the race came, getting to win the 500 Kilometers of Nürburgring in 1961. These kinds of hits sent sales skyrocketing. To the point of endangering Abarth's existence! And it is that, literally, the assembly line of the kits to transform a 600 into an 850TC was about to collapse.
Fortunately FIAT signed an agreement with Abarth to supply the bodies, engines and other elements of the 600 needed in an 850TC. Already in the preparer's factory the necessary modifications were made. Including different exhaust pipes, carburetor and brakes than those that were mounted on FIAT.
Both in terms of sales and impact on the competition, the Abarth 850TC is possibly the brand's most iconic car. A racing myth which still sounds damn good. Even more so now. At a time when it is important to remember that a good sports car is not only good for the amount of horses it can offer.
