9 Non-Fiat Abarth Models, Plus One Extra

Founded in 1949 by Italo-Austrian Carlo Abarth, Abarth became known for two things: first, its scorpion emblem; second, its long-standing habit of turning mild-mannered Fiats into cars capable of delivering serious performance and plenty of adrenaline.

However, its lengthy association with Fiat should not mislead you. Although Abarth had been modifying models from the Italian manufacturer almost since its inception - and Fiat ultimately acquired it in 1971 - their relationship was never exclusive.

Both as a tuning specialist and a manufacturer, the scorpion left its “sting” on brands including Porsche, Ferrari, Simca and Alfa Romeo. It also built cars under its own name.

Here are nine non-Fiat Abarths, plus one “extra”:

Cisitalia 204A Abarth Spider Corsa

Interestingly, the first car to bear the Abarth name was also the final model to carry the Cisitalia badge, a marque that would go bankrupt shortly afterwards. Introduced in 1948, this sports car was produced in a total of five examples.

Created for competition, the Cisitalia 204A Abarth Spider Corsa won 19 events in total. The celebrated Tazio Nuvolari claimed his final victory at the wheel of a Cisitalia 204A Abarth Spider Corsa.

Beneath its bonnet sat an engine derived from that of the Fiat 1100, fitted with two Weber carburettors and producing 83 hp. Paired with a four-speed manual gearbox, it could propel the 510 kg Cisitalia 204A Abarth Spider Corsa to 190 km/h.

Abarth 205 Vignale Berlinetta

After leaving Cisitalia, Carlo Abarth turned his attention to creating his own cars. The first was this striking 205 Vignale Berlinetta, powered by the same Fiat four-cylinder engine used in the Cisitalia 204A Abarth Spider Corsa.

Alfredo Vignale was responsible for the bodywork, while Giovanni Michelotti was entrusted with its design. Just three examples of this compact 800 kg coupé were built.

Ferrari-Abarth 166 MM/53

Designed by Carlo Abarth and developed from the Ferrari 166, the Ferrari-Abarth 166 MM/53 remains the only Ferrari to have received Abarth input. It was commissioned by racing driver Giulio Musitelli, who competed with the car. Under Abarth’s bodywork was Ferrari’s 2.0-litre V12, producing 160 hp.

Porsche 356 Carrera Abarth GTL

In September 1959, Porsche partnered with Carlo Abarth to build an initial run of 20 competition cars based on the 356B. The resulting 356 Carrera Abarth GTL was intended to take on rivals in GT-class racing.

Lighter than the car on which it was based, and featuring distinctive bodywork designed and built in Italy, the “Porsche-Abarth” used 1.6-litre four-cylinder boxer engines producing from 128 hp to 135 hp, as well as 2.0-litre units with outputs ranging from 155 hp to 180 hp.

Although the 356 Carrera Abarth GTL achieved success in the events it contested, Porsche cancelled its agreement with Abarth once the first 21 cars had been completed. The reason was straightforward: the poor quality of the first prototypes and early delays had ultimately left their mark on Porsche, prompting the split.

Abarth Simca 1300 GT

When Simca decided to develop a faster version of its modest 1000, the French marque promptly called on Carlo Abarth. Under the agreement, Abarth would create several prototypes based on the Simca 1000, but the eventual result was markedly different from the original car: the Abarth Simca 1300, built from 1962 to 1965.

It featured a far more aerodynamic body with sportier styling and a new engine: the small 0.9-litre, 35 hp unit was replaced by a 1.3-litre engine producing 125 hp. Little more than the chassis, suspension and steering was retained from the 1000, while braking was upgraded to discs at all four wheels.

The outcome was a lightweight sports car weighing only 600 kg - 200 kg less than the Simca 1000 - and capable of an impressive 230 km/h. It was followed by the 1600 GT and 2000 GT, the latter equipped with a 2.0-litre, 202 hp engine that allowed it to reach 270 km/h.

Simca Abarth 1150

The second Abarth-Simca collaboration on this list was the more spirited version of the Simca 1000. Unlike the 1300 GT, its formula was somewhat less extreme, with the Simca 1150 essentially serving as an improved version of the modest French model.

Launched at the end of 1964, it was only on sale briefly, as Chrysler’s purchase of Simca led to its demise in 1965. Available in four versions, power ranged from 55 hp to 85 hp, with intermediate options producing 58 hp and 65 hp.

Autobianchi A112 Abarth

Built from 1971 to 1985, the Autobianchi A112 Abarth was primarily aimed at challenging the Mini Cooper and its Italian counterpart, the Innocenti Mini.

There were seven versions of the Autobianchi A112 Abarth, with 121,600 examples of the feisty city car produced. Initially launched in 1971 with a 1.0-litre, 58 hp engine, the A112 Abarth went through several evolutions, notably versions with a five-speed manual gearbox or a 1.0-litre engine producing 70 hp.

Abarth 1300 Scorpione SS

Manufactured between 1968 and 1972 by the Italian firm Carrozzeria Francis Lombardi, the Abarth 1300 Scorpione SS was sold under several names. During its lifetime, it was known as the OTAS 820, Giannini and, naturally, the Abarth Grand Prix and Scorpione.

Unveiled at the 1968 Geneva Motor Show, the Abarth 1300 Scorpione SS would become the last product developed by Abarth as an independent marque, before Fiat bought it in 1971.

Technically, it featured a 1.3-litre inline four-cylinder engine, two Weber carburettors, 100 hp, a four-speed manual gearbox, independent suspension on all four wheels and four disc brakes.

Lancia 037

Following its acquisition by Fiat, Abarth was tasked with preparing and developing the group’s competition models. One such example was the Lancia 037, the last rear-wheel-drive car to win the World Rally Championship.

With a rear mid-mounted engine, tubular subframe, independent suspension and two enormous front and rear bonnets, this “monster”, developed by Abarth alongside Lancia and Dallara, also spawned a road-going homologation version: the 037 Rally Stradale, of which 217 were built.

Another Lancia developed by Abarth was the 037’s rally successor, the formidable Delta S4. Like its predecessor, it also received a road-going homologation version, the S4 Stradale.

Abarth 1000 Monoposto

Developed entirely by Carlo Abarth in 1965, the Abarth 1000 Monoposto earned the marque its 100th world record and established four world records. Carlo Abarth himself drove it and, at 57, undertook a strict diet that saw him lose 30 kg so that he could fit inside the cramped cockpit.

Powering this aerodynamically focused single-seater was a 1.0-litre Fiat engine derived from the unit used in Formula 2 in 1964. The twin-cam engine delivered an impressive 105 hp, enough to propel the single-seater’s mere 500 kg.

Abarth 2400 Coupé Allemano

OK… this final example was derived from a Fiat, the 2300. Yet its uniquely styled bodywork, together with the fact that it was one of Carlo Abarth’s favourites - he used it as his everyday car for several years - secured it a place in this group.

Revealed in 1961, the Abarth 2400 Coupé Allemano was an evolution of the Fiat 2100-based 2200 Coupé. Giovanni Michelotti created the design, while the Allemano studio handled production, hence the name.

Under the bonnet was an inline six-cylinder engine with three twin-choke Weber carburettors, capable of producing 142 hp. The Abarth 2400 Coupé Allemano also featured a completely redesigned exhaust system.

Remarkably, even though production ended in 1962, Carlo Abarth chose to take an Abarth 2400 Coupé Allemano to the 1964 Geneva Motor Show, such was his affection for the car.