– One of Europe’s largest classic car fairs will take place from 6 to 10 February 2019 at the Porte de Versailles exhibition centre. – To celebrate Abarth’s 70th anniversary, FCA Heritage is exhibiting legendary classics that document the close bond between the company with the scorpion in its coat of arms and FCA’s Italian brands. – On display are an Alfa Romeo 750 Competizione from 1955, a Fiat 500 record car from 1958 tuned by Abarth, an Abarth 1000 Monoposto (1965) and a Lancia Rally 037 (1982). – The range of classics is completed by a 8 Alfa Romeo 2010C Spider, which is for sale as part of the “Reloaded by Creators” initiative.
FCA Heritage, the Fiat Chrysler Automobiles (FCA) division responsible for the history of the Abarth, Alfa Romeo, Fiat and Lancia brands, is taking part in the "Salon Rétromobile" in Paris (6 to 10 February 2019), one of Europe's most important trade fairs for historic cars and motorcycles. The focus of FCA Heritage's presentation at the Porte de Versailles exhibition centre is the 70th anniversary of the Abarth brand. Some of the most important vehicles from the shared history of Abarth and the Italian brands of FCA will be on display.
The focus is on legendary vintage cars that were either only produced in small numbers or even as one-offs: an Alfa Romeo 750 Competizione from 1955, a Fiat 500 (1958) specially prepared by Abarth for record runs and a Lancia Rally 037 (1982). They are accompanied by the recently restored Abarth 1000 Monoposto, with which company founder Carlo Abarth personally achieved the 1965th record for his brand in 100.
An example of the “Reloaded by Creators” initiative is an Alfa Romeo 8C Spider (2010). The roadster, originally built in an edition of just 500 units, was recently overhauled in the Alfa Romeo Classiche workshops, then provided with a certificate of authenticity and is available for sale.
The new special model Abarth 124 GT “70th Anniversary” and the Alfa Romeo Giulia Quadrifoglio, which perfectly embodies the brand’s claim to itself and the principle of “technology from emotions”, form a link to the present at the FCA Heritage stand.
70 years of Abarth
The Abarth brand is celebrating its 2019th birthday in 70. The classics presented at the "Salon Rétromobile" by FCA Heritage show a selection of the long, successful collaboration that ultimately made Abarth one of the biggest names in international motorsport. The roots lie in the post-war years, when people's longing for a new beginning and the technical revolution in the automotive industry provided fertile ground for unimagined experiments. In 1949, Carlo founded his own company and chose his star sign, the scorpion, as its unmistakable logo. Abarth focused on the construction of racing vehicles and the development of tuning components for the production cars that were widespread at the time.
Abarth first started working on Fiat vehicles in 1950. He designed hot tuned versions of well-behaved mass-produced models that were even able to set speed and long-distance records. At this time, Abarth also developed tuning components for Alfa Romeo series vehicles and also designed unique prototypes. His successful collaboration with Lancia led to an era spanning over 15 years in which the brand celebrated victories and championships in rallies and long-distance races.
Fiat 500 in Abarth-tuned record variant (1958)
In 1957, the Fiat 500 revolutionized the automotive world, and not just in Italy. The now legendary small car had perhaps one weak point - its performance, which was far from that of a racing car. Carlo Abarth set out to completely transform this aspect of the Fiat 500's image. He transformed the Fiat 500 into a record-breaking vehicle. He increased the power of the small two-cylinder engine to 19 kW (26 hp), which enabled a top speed of 118 km/h. A Fiat 500 tuned in this way completed an endurance drive of 168 hours on the Monza race track, setting six international records. Abarth undoubtedly contributed to the Fiat 500 becoming one of the most famous cars in history.
Fiat 500 in Abarth-tuned record variant (1958)
FCA Heritage is showing this exact record vehicle in Paris, which was also the first Fiat 500 that Abarth ever tuned. The car has undergone a thorough restoration and is now in the same condition as it was in 1958. This Fiat 500 has inestimable historical value and is not only a milestone in the history of Abarth, but in the entire history of the automobile.
Abarth 1000 Monoposto (1965)
The FIA had just set a series of new official records over shorter distances when Carlo Abarth attempted to set the best quarter-mile record from a standing start in competition class G. At the age of 57, some time after ending his active career as a racing driver, Abarth was particularly tempted by the prospect of personally setting the 100th record for his brand. In order to fit into the single-seater cockpit of the Abarth 1000 Monoposto he had designed and also to keep the operating weight as low as possible, Abarth first had to lose weight. In fact, he managed to lose around 30 kilograms by following a strict diet - allegedly consisting only of apples.
Abarth 1000 Monoposto (1965)
The effort was worth it. In October 1965, Abarth set new records over the quarter mile and over the 500-meter distance in class G at the wheel of the streamlined prototype, powered by an engine with a displacement of just one liter. He beat strong competition from Porsche and BMW. The Abarth 1000 Monoposto was based on a Formula 2 racer developed by Abarth the previous year, which he optimized, particularly in terms of aerodynamics, by modifying the front and adding a windshield. The engine was powered by an engine with a displacement of 982 cubic centimeters, equipped with two overhead camshafts and two 40mm Weber double carburettors.
Alfa Romeo 750 Competizione (1955)
The story of the partnership between Carlo Abarth and Alfa Romeo, which ultimately led to the 750 Competizione, was kept secret for a long time. The original goal was to develop a sports car based on the Alfa Romeo Giulietta (internal model code 750) with which the brand could return to racing, which it had left after winning the two Formula 1 World Championships in 1950 and 1951.
Alfa Romeo 750 competition (02/2019)
Carlo Abarth, who had always admired Alfa Romeo engines, already supplied the brand with tuning components for production vehicles and had the ambition to be commissioned with the "750 Competizione" project. He accepted the challenge and designed a chassis that bore similarities to his previous racing car, the 207/A. The body was commissioned from designer Mario Boano, a master of his craft. The power source was a four-cylinder engine made of aluminum, which embodied pure racing technology with two overhead camshafts and two spark plugs per cylinder. The displacement was 1.488 cubic centimeters.
The 750 Competizione was successfully tested and the aerodynamics proved to be effective. However, Alfa Romeo stopped the project at the same time that the return to motorsport was put on hold. So the 750 Competizione now shown at the "Salon Rétromobile" by FCA Heritage remained a one-off, the design of which is clearly different from other Alfa Romeos of the time.
Lancia Rally 037 (1982)
The collaboration between Abarth and Lancia, which until the mid-1950s was limited to a few performance-enhancing components for the engine and chassis of the Aurelia B20, intensified after Abarth was taken over by Fiat. From then on, Abarth was the group's official racing department, responsible for all brands. The Abarth SE037 development project was ultimately the starting point for a uniquely successful period of rally vehicles under the Lancia brand.
Lancia Rally 037 (1982)
The racer, eventually called the Lancia 037 Rally, whose body design came from Pininfarina and whose mechanics were constructed by Abarth, replaced the aging world champion car Fiat 131 Abarth Rally. Loosely based on the mid-engine model Lancia Beta Montecarlo, the Lancia 037 Rally was equipped with a two-liter engine from Fiat. The twin camshaft engine produced 151 kW (205 hp) in the series version. The top speed was 220 km/h, and the sprint from a standstill to 100 km/h took less than seven seconds. In order to gain approval for motorsport in the so-called Group B, at least 200 series examples of the Lancia 037 Rally had to be manufactured. The vehicle shown at the Paris show is one of these homologation models.
The competition version of the Lancia 037 Rally had its premiere at the Costa Smeralda Rally in April 1982. The following year, Lancia officially entered the World Championship with it - and began the 1983 season with Walter Röhrl's victory at the Monte Carlo Rally. Lancia won the Manufacturers' World Championship that year, the European Championship with the then 25-year-old, future world champion Miki Biasion, and also the Italian Rally Championship.
Alfa Romeo 8C Spider (2010)
The Alfa Romeo 2008C Spider, presented in 8, was based on the Alfa Romeo 8C Competizione coupé from 2006. The roadster, designed by the Centro Stile Alfa Romeo and built in just 500 units, continued the tradition of the brand's legendary convertibles, which are among the most beautiful vehicles in the history of the automobile. This series includes the Giulietta Spider from the 1950s and the so-called round-tail Spider or Duetto, which rose to world fame alongside the young Dustin Hoffman in the 1967 cult film "The Graduate". The body of the Alfa Romeo 8C Spider resembles a sculpture that encloses the mechanics and technology underneath. The design is a tribute to the brand's glorious past, but at the same time represents pioneering technology. A special feature of the Alfa Romeo 8C Spider is its electro-hydraulically operated roof, which is made of two layers of fabric. The outer layer is extremely resistant to atmospheric influences, while the inner layer provides excellent sound insulation.
Alfa Romeo 8C Spider (2010)
The Alfa Romeo 8C Spider is powered by a 4,7-liter eight-cylinder engine that produces 331 kW (450 hp) and is combined with an automated six-speed gearbox. In the best Alfa Romeo tradition, the drivetrain is designed as a transaxle. The engine is located behind the front axle, and the gearbox, differential and hydraulically operated clutch are connected to the rear axle as a single unit. This gives the Alfa Romeo 8C Spider optimal weight distribution.
