THE RESTORATION and the NICE STORY OF THE

1000 ABARTH 1150SS OWNER SCOTT ZELLNER

N°107S/0123

The 1000 Abarth comming back to Wisconsin USA

French version click here

 

The story of my Simca Abarth 1150SS

I am fortunate to have known my Simca Abarth 1150SS since it was brand new, fresh off the boat from Turin. While it took 35 years from this point for the car to actually become mine, it has been an interesting journey which I would like to share with you.

In 1965 the father and son team of Edward and John Stinsmen, regular participants in the Pennsylvania hill climb championship were looking for a faster replacement for their Simca 1000 sedan. While the Simca handled well, other cars in its class out powered it by a large margin. A trip to the New York Auto Show and meeting with Al Cosentino of Faza fame and Falco Jappelli, commercial director of Abarth & C. brought a solution.

Mr. Jappelli told the Stinsmen's about the Simca Abarth 1150. The story goes that in 1962 Carlo Abarth had great plans to capitalize on the racing success of the Abarth Simca GT race cars by producing a run of modified Simca 1000 sedans. The model was designated the Simca Abarth 1150. It was available in 4 versions: the 1150, the 1150S, the 1150SS and the competition version, the 1150SS Corsa.

According to Mr. Jappelli there were three prototypes and a test mule built in 1962. One vehicle, 107S/0123 was still housed in the experimental department at Abarth & C. and was available. This vehicle may have been the 1962 Turin Auto Show car although I cannot verify this with 100% accuracy. Photos from the Turin Auto Show seem to support this claim.

1962 Turin Auto Show

In later conversations with Al Cosentino I learned Abarth had great hopes for the Simca Abarth 1150 series. It was a great disappointment to all involved that this vehicle never made it into regular production as it would have added greatly to the fiscal bottom line at Abarth & C.

On May 13, 1966 and order was placed by Edward for this Simca Abarth 1150SS. A deposit for half the purchase price of $2600.00 was sent to Abarth and C., the balance sent on August 26, 1966. On September 20, 1966, 107S/0123 was shipped from Turin and landed in New York the following month.

Immediately 107S/0123 was put into race duty, proving the be the class of the field and winning the Pennsylvania hill climb series for many years. In 1969 the original engine #207/0224 expired in spectacular fashion at the Duryea Hillclimb. In fact, bits of this engine became a traveling trophy for the Pennsylvania Region Hillclimb Association for years in celebration of the best engine "blow" of the year. All that remains of this engine is the cast aluminum Abarth oil pan which I still have.

The Stinsmen's had kept in occasional contact with Abarth & C. through the years. However when they requested parts to rebuild the engine, they were told parts for this car longer existed. Possibly they never did at all. A letter to Simca however was met with great enthusiasm. Tapie, the house tuner for Simca provided a race prepared 1204 engine and many other go fast bits. This is the engine that remains with the car to this day. It was at this point 107S/0123 was painted in the official Simca team colors. Bright white, matt black hood with two French blue stripes.

Clik on the picture to see the pcture in big size

As the sixties came to a close, newer technology made the Stinsmen's Simca Abarth uncompetitive on the hill climb circuit. The car was returned to street trim and driven occasionally by Ed Stinsmen until he passed away in the early eighties. At this point 107S/0123 was beginning to show its age. John performed a sympathetic restoration keeping the car's patina intact. As time passed 107S/0123 was relegated to a corner of the garage and mostly forgotten.

In 2001 I had a chance meeting with John and in passing conversation asked whatever happened to 107S/0123. Yes, he still had the car and he was thinking about selling it. I purchased the car the very next day. John insisted that as part of the deal he would make the car roadworthy again and take it back to the "hill's" one last time. After a year of recommisioning, 27 years to the date, 107S/0123 returned to the Duryea Hillclimb.

 

Finally 107S/0123 was mine! With the help of a good friend and an enclosed trailer 107S/0123 and 35 years of spares parts was brought to Wisconsin. This was the first time since 1966 that 107S/0123 has left the borders of Pennsylvania. I have since embarked on a complete nut and bolt restoration. As most restorations go it has been an adventure. Trolling the internet for parts leads, chasing down dead ends and meeting new folks is all part of the game. My car buddies have now given me the nickname "Pebble Beach" Not likely, but it's been a fun adventure. Plans are the have the car finished for the 50th. Anniversary of the Giants Despair Hillclimb 2006. I'd better get busy!

Scott Zellner

Hillclimb in 1969 driver : Ed Stinsmen
click on photography to see it in large
Scott is looking for part number 10 and 13. Do you know where I can find these parts?

The wonderful story of that 1000 who goes at the other side of the world

Thank you to Scott Zellner

retour sommaire restauration