Back again
For the 1970 season, Abarth made another change: in the SE018, the engine was moved right back again, behind the rear axle. There were various reasons for this, the most important of which was probably that Carlo Abarth could never quite get to grips with the mid-engine concept; it was too complicated for him (and probably simply too expensive). With the ‘Millino’, or ‘little thousand’, everything became simpler again; that was also Abarth’s idea: he wanted to offer young drivers, who had already gained experience in karting and touring cars, the opportunity to compete in ‘serious’ racing with the SE018. That this was possible with the ‘Millino’ was proven by works driver Johannes Ortner right from his first outing, when he secured overall victory at the Castione Baratti–Neviano Arduini hill climb.
The car we are showing here, chassis number SE018-X001/O, performed even better. In the hands of Mario Barone and Maurizio Campaini, this ‘Millino’ secured class victory and 14th place overall at the Targa Florio in May 1971. But it was, of course, also a fine machine: the four-cylinder engine with a displacement of 982 cc produced a remarkable 120 hp at 8,200 rpm, whilst the kerb weight was just 400 kg. Barone drove a few more races before returning the car to Osella (who had by then already taken over Abarth’s racing activities). There, SE018-X001/O was fitted with a new engine – and was used in races until 1978.
Broad Arrow is auctioning the little Italian car online at the Global Icons spring auction. Estimates range from €150,000 to €180,000; on offer is extreme driving pleasure and plenty of noise. A collection of our (many) Abarth stories can be found here.
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