IN MARCH 1965, CAROZZERIA  BERTONE LAUNCHED FIAT'S NEW OPEN 2 SEAT 850 SPIDER.

CARLO ABARTH ENCOURAGED NUCCIO BERTONE TO CREATE A SPECIAL BERLINETTA VERSION FOR THE 1965 TURIN MOTOR SHOW. IT IS BELIEVED THAT TWO CARS WERE BUILT, ONE FOR THE BERTONE STAND, THE OTHER FOR THE ABARTH STAND.

BERTONE'S DESIGNER GIORGETTO GIUGIARO TRANSFORMED THE SPIDER INTO THE 1000 OTR BERLINETTA. ALONG WITH THE STEEL ROOF IT WAS UPGRADED WITH AN ABARTH 982 CC ENGINE WITH  74 BHP, RATHER MORE THAN 50% INCREASE OVER THE FIAT ENGINE. A FRONT RADIATOR IMPROVED WEIGHT DISTRIBUTION AND COOLING, THROUGH NEW VENTS IN THE NOSE.

PAUL FRERE, THE BELGIUM RACING JOURNALIST, ACHEIVED 175 KPH IN THE SLIPPERY LITTLE BERLINETTA.

SADLY, DESPITE EXHAUSTIVE ATTEMPTS, NO TRACE CAN BE FOUND OF EITHER SHOW CAR. THIS CAR NOW OFFERED FOR SALE,  IS A UNIQUE RECREATION BUILT TO AN EXTREMELY HIGH STANDARD. IT IS FINISHED IN SILVER AS PER THE ORIGINAL SHOW CAR.

THE CAR IS CONSTRUCTED FROM AN ORIGINAL SERIES 1 BERTONE 850 SPIDER COMPLETE WITH MIURA HEADLIGHTS. THE ENGINE, WHICH  HAS BEEN COMPLETELY REBUILT BY MIDDLE BARTON GARAGE, IS BASED ON A 982 A112 58HP ENGINE WITH H.C PISTONS. SPORTS CAMSHAFT,STEEL CRANK, 8-PORT CYLINDER HEAD, ALLOY SUMP  AND ABARTH EXHAUST SYSTEM.

IN FEBRUARY 2023. THE CAR WAS FEATURED IN AUTOITALIA MAGAZINE . CLICK ON THIS LINK FOR THE COMPLETE ARTICLE

https://drives.today/articles/1249/retro/1965-fiat-abarth-otr-1000-coupe-bertone.html