SIMCA Abarth Berlinette 1300 red from 1962 - 1/43 scale collector's model car
This red 1962 SIMCA Abarth Berlinette 1300 represents one of the most iconic models of the Franco-Italian collaboration between Simca and Abarth. This 1:43 scale model perfectly captures the sporty elegance of this berlinetta, which marked the 1960s with its bold design and remarkable performance.
Designed for passionate car collectors and lovers of quality scale models, this faithful reproduction is a must-have for any collection dedicated to French sports cars from the 1960s.
Characteristics of the model car
- Model: SIMCA Abarth Berlinette 1300
- Brand: SIMCA Abarth
- Year: 1962
- Scale: 1/43rd
- Color: Red
- Protective case included: Yes
The real model: a sports car born from collaboration
The SIMCA Abarth Berlinette 1300 was born in 1962, the result of a collaboration between French manufacturer Simca and Italian tuner Carlo Abarth. This sporty berlinetta was designed to compete with the Alpine Renault and other sports coupes of the time, offering an affordable alternative to enthusiasts of dynamic driving.
Based on the mechanics of the Simca 1000, this berlinetta adopted a 1300 cm³ engine prepared by Abarth, developing around 85 horsepower . Its featherweight of barely 700 kg gave it remarkable performance for the time, with a top speed approaching 170 km/h. The fiberglass body, designed by Allemano, combined lightness and aesthetics with its pure and racy lines.
Despite its undeniable qualities, the SIMCA Abarth Berlinette only had a limited commercial career, with only a few hundred examples produced between 1962 and 1964, which makes it a model particularly sought after by collectors today.
SIMCA: French ambition in the automotive industry
In the early 1960s, SIMCA (Société Industrielle de Mécanique et Carrosserie Automobile) established itself as one of the most dynamic French manufacturers. Founded in 1934 by Henri Théodore Pigozzi, the brand initially specialized in the assembly of Fiat models before developing its own vehicles after the war.
The collaboration with Abarth was part of SIMCA's strategy to diversify its range and conquer the market for affordable sports cars . This period corresponded to the golden age of the brand, which then produced the Simca 1000, a real commercial success, while exploring new segments such as that of sports berlinettas.
SIMCA was then looking to compete with Jean Rédélé's Alpine and Deutsch-Bonnet, taking advantage of Abarth's expertise in engine preparation and competition to create a credible and high-performance sports car .
A berlinetta with crossed destinies
The history of the SIMCA Abarth Berlinette is closely linked to that of Carlo Abarth , the brilliant mechanic of Austrian origin who revolutionized car preparation in Italy. Passionate about speed since his youth, Abarth had been a motorcycle racer before turning to cars after a serious accident.
The collaboration between SIMCA and Abarth almost never saw the light of day. The negotiations were long and difficult, Carlo Abarth being known for his uncompromising character and high technical standards. It took all the charisma of Henri Pigozzi to convince the Italian master to work on the basis of the modest Simca 1000 .
An anecdote tells that during the first tests of the prototype, Carlo Abarth himself took the wheel on the Montlhéry circuit. Impressed by the performance of his creation, he declared: "This little French car has the soul of an Italian!" This phrase perfectly sums up the spirit of this berlinetta which combined French ingenuity with Italian passion .
Unfortunately, commercial differences between the two manufacturers and the market's shift towards more affordable models brought this promising adventure to a premature end. Today, every surviving example of this berlinetta tells the story of this Franco-Italian automotive love story that lasted only the length of a dream.
Complete your model car collection
This red SIMCA Abarth Berlinette 1300 is a natural fit for your collection alongside other iconic French sports cars . It blends perfectly with the Alpine Renault model cars from the same era, creating a cohesive ensemble dedicated to the golden age of French berlinettes.
Collectors will also enjoy combining it with other models in the SIMCA range , notably the legendary 1000 on which it was based, or with cars from the 1960s to recreate the atmosphere of this revolutionary decade for the automobile.
This model car will appeal to both automotive history enthusiasts and rare model lovers. It is an excellent starting point for exploring the world of model car sports coupes or for enriching an existing collection of French cars . Its relative rarity and unique history make it a heritage investment as well as a feast for the eyes, a faithful testimony to an era when audacity and creativity still guided the automotive industry.
