The Simca had begun to assemble assorted Fiat models under licence in France.
Simca was looking into producing a faster version of the 1000, but figured it needed outside help to make it work.
Carlo Abarth's friend, Rudi Hruska, had become a technical consultant of the Simca founded by Enrico Teodoro Pigozzi. Rumours of an agreement between Abarth and the French company began to circulate in 1961.
Abarth was substantially a research and development centre for Simca.
The new Abarth was designed in-house in 1961 by Ing. Mario Colucci, the body was built by Carrozzeria Beccaris. This GT-car based upon a shortened chassis of the Simca 1000. The car was wider, longer, but lower than the Bialbero with a similar body.
Under the new aerodynamic body some Simca parts were used, but key elements like the engine were developed by Ing. Luciano Fochi of Abarth.
It is a rear wheel drive road car, with the engine placed in the rear, and a 2 door coupé body. It's powered courtesy of a naturally aspirated engine of 1.3 litre capacity. This powerplant features double overhead camshaft valve gear, 4 cylinder layout, and 2 valves per cylinder. It develops 138 bhp (140 PS/103 kW) of power at 7400 rpm.
The engine drives the wheels by means of a 6 speed manual transmission.
Stated kerb weight is 635 kg. Maximum speed claimed is 235 km/h or 146 mph.
The Simca Abarth 1300 was launched in February 1962 at a list price of Lire 3,300,000. Pending its homologation by the FIA as a Gran Turismo the Simca Abarth 1300s contested the sports category and immediately became dominant within its International category.