Abarth Simca 2000 GT Long-Nose (1964)

The 1964 Abarth Simca 2000 GT Long-Nose stands as one of racing’s most enigmatic machines. Born from an unlikely partnership between Italian performance wizard Carlo Abarth and French manufacturer Simca, this rare beast emerged as a true David among Goliaths on European circuits. With just ten units ever produced, each car carried the weight of its ambitious creators’ dreams.

Behind its stretched hood lay more than just innovative engineering — it housed the spirit of 1960s motorsport rebellion. While Ferrari and Porsche dominated headlines, this Franco-Italian hybrid quietly rewrote performance expectations for small-displacement sports cars. Its achievements on track proved that sometimes the most remarkable stories come from unexpected places.

Engineering Evolution

The journey began in 1962 when Carlo Abarth envisioned a car that could challenge the established names without matching their displacement. Working with Simca’s resources and his own racing expertise, Abarth created something extraordinary. The extended nose wasn’t mere aesthetics — it revolutionized the car’s aerodynamics and cooling capabilities.

Early testing revealed the platform’s potential, but Abarth’s team kept pushing boundaries. They refined the suspension geometry, tweaked the Weber carburetors, and obsessed over weight reduction. Each modification brought them closer to their goal: a giant-killer that could compete with cars boasting twice the engine size.

“When I first saw the Long-Nose at Monza, I knew we were looking at something special. The attention to detail in the aerodynamics was years ahead of its time.” — Marco Venturi, former Abarth test driver

The development process broke conventional wisdom at every turn. While competitors added weight with complex systems, Abarth’s team focused on simplicity and efficiency. This philosophy produced a car that wasn’t just fast — it was reliable and manageable at the limit.

Racing Pedigree

Track performance quickly silenced any skeptics. The 2000 GT’s finest hour came at Montlhéry, where it outpaced the mighty Ferrari 250 GT. This wasn’t just a victory for Abarth — it marked a paradigm shift in sports car racing, proving that sophisticated aerodynamics could overcome raw power.

The car’s 1946cc engine produced 180 horsepower at 7300 rpm — impressive figures for the era. But numbers tell only part of the story. The real magic lay in how the car delivered its power, with a linear thrust that made it predictable and confidence-inspiring at racing speeds.

“Nothing else in the two-liter class could touch it on fast circuits. The Long-Nose just seemed to cut through air that stopped other cars.” — Dr. Hans Kunis, 1965 Swiss GT Championship winner

Success bred success. Throughout 1965, the Long-Nose dominated its class in European competition. Its combination of stability at speed and agility in corners made it particularly formidable on fast tracks like Monza and Spa.

Masterclass in Design

The Long-Nose’s bodywork represents a masterclass in 1960s aerodynamic theory. Its extended front section, while visually dramatic, served multiple purposes: improved cooling, reduced lift at speed, and better directional stability. The rear quarters, with their pronounced haunches, balanced the design while housing the rear-mounted engine.

Simca’s influence shows in the practical aspects of the design. Despite its competition focus, the car featured a surprisingly accessible cockpit and good visibility — traits often sacrificed in period race cars. The aluminum body panels were hand-formed, each car slightly different from its siblings.

Essential considerations for track use influenced every aspect of the design:

• low-drag nose cone optimized for high-speed stability;
• carefully shaped wheel arches to minimize turbulence;
• integrated air intakes positioned for maximum efficiency;
• balanced weight distribution for neutral handling.

The overall effect created a car that looked fast even standing still, its proportions hinting at the performance potential within.

Engineering Details

Under the skin, the 2000 GT Long-Nose showcased several engineering innovations. The rear-mounted engine, a race-tuned 1946cc unit, benefited from dual Weber carburetors and a high-compression ratio of 9.6:1. This configuration not only maximized power output but also improved weight distribution.

The suspension system departed from contemporary designs, employing a sophisticated setup that balanced comfort with control. While some competitors struggled with skittish handling at speed, the Long-Nose remained remarkably planted.

“The chassis communicated everything without overwhelming the driver. It’s a level of engineering finesse we rarely saw in that era.” — Philippe Laurent, vintage racing specialist

The four-speed gearbox, though sometimes criticized for fragility, proved capable of handling the engine’s power when properly maintained. Later cars reportedly received strengthened internals to address this concern.

The Legacy Lives On

Today, surviving examples of the Abarth Simca 2000 GT Long-Nose command extraordinary respect among collectors. Each car tells a story of innovation, competition, and the pursuit of excellence against overwhelming odds. Their rarity only adds to their mystique — with just ten built, every appearance at vintage events draws crowds of admirers.

The Long-Nose’s influence extends beyond its own time. Modern sports car designers still study its aerodynamic solutions, while its development story reminds us that greatness often emerges from unlikely partnerships.

Pros and Cons

This remarkable machine stands as testament to what determined engineers can achieve when they think differently. While its production numbers may have been small, its impact on motorsport and automotive design reaches far beyond those ten exceptional examples.