1965 | FIAT 2300 S Coupe

First exhibited as a sports coupé concept car by design house Ghia at the Turin Motor show in 1960, the design was picked up by Fiat for production, making use of the then new Fiat 2300 saloon as a source platform, becoming available to the public – as the Fiat 2300 Coupé - in 1962.

The new Coupé used the floorpan of the 2300 saloon – keeping the same wheelbase, but with a slightly wider track front and rear, and altered final drive gearing. Servo-assisted disc brakes were fitted on all four wheels. The same six cylinder 2.3 litre engine – designed by former Ferrari engine designer, Aurelio Lampredi - was employed. For the 2300 S model, the engine was further tuned by the legendary Abarth company, who made use of two, twin-choke carburettors (as opposed to a single, twin-choke carburettor); a slightly higher compression ratio and hotter camshafts. Claimed power was up to 134 bhp.

Despite stylish good looks, excellent performance and handling, the Coupe was only produced in limited numbers – demand perhaps exceeding the limited production capacity available from Fiat and its outsourced assembly providers, Ghia and OSI.

The 2300 S on offer here was supplied new by Fiat-France in April 1965 and appears to have remained in the hands of the initial owner, until purchased by Patrick Mersch in 1988. Mersch – based in the south of France - was looking for a car to compete with in European endurance and FIA historic series racing. Accordingly, he had the car race prepared by Kerry McSwann (a noted Ferrari expert) and fitted with a roll cage; strengthened rear bulkhead, racing harnesses; aluminium bonnet; Abarth-type sump; alloy wheels; uprated suspension and lightly tuned engine.

Registered in the ‘F. Historic B’ class, the Coupe was successfully campaigned until 1992 and then retired, remaining with Patrick Mersch until 2014, when imported to the UK, extensively re-commissioned and re-registered. It has had very limited use subsequently but did see some competition in local (Jersey) historic events. The car has more recently had racing equipment removed so that it might revert to regular road use.

Following re-commissioning, the engine has covered less than 1000Kms and has received routine maintenance and upkeep. It runs and drives very well. The race-specification of the car (confirmed by the original FIA papers) comprises Koni / Spax shock absorbers, stiffer springs, harder suspension bushes, competition AB Tunaverken alloy wheels shod with Avon CR6-ZZ tyres; aluminium bonnet and strengthened rear bulkhead. These items remain in place. Within the history file, dyno power charts show the engine developing 145 bhp.

The bodywork is in excellent original condition, most competition modifications having been removed and the body receiving work to tidy any scratches and marks acquired in the pale blue paintwork. Original road trim, e.g. brightwork, has been refitted and the alloy wheels have also been refinished.

For the interior, the original red leather driver/passenger seats are in place; the rear seat and a carpet set have been reinstated. Whilst the roll cage has been removed, the FIA approved harnesses are still fitted, as is some of the racing instrumentation.

This is a very quick and smart Fiat 2300 S, in good condition and excellent mechanical health. Whilst it has largely been returned to road trim, it should not be too difficult to re-register the car for historic series racing and return it to competition use, if desired.

A large history file accompanies the car, which includes a copy of the French Carte Gris, FIA registration papers, engine performance reports, invoices, owners manuals, part lists, and period racing reports for the Fiat 2300S. The car is also provided with a quantity of spare parts, including a second engine.