Miguel Sánchez
The relationship established between Abarth and FIAT is well known. In fact, when Gianni Agnelli decided to take over Carlo Abarth's company in 1971, the latter did nothing more than confirm the end of an announced chronicle. Not in vain, the Turin giant had acted as a supplier of the scorpion since the late XNUMXs, creating a symbiotic relationship in which both parties were favored. Much less well known, however, is just how close Abarth came to falling under the umbrella of Alfa Romeo. A fact that has its roots in the mass production of the Alfa Romeo 1900.
Presented in 1950, the 1900 is one of the most significant models in the history of the Italian manufacturer. In fact, it was the first Alfa Romeo to be fully assembled on a single assembly line. All this based on its advanced monocoque chassis, the first for the brand when it comes to touring models. So things, everything related to exclusive sports cars manufactured in short series lost intensity. Thanks to this, Alfa Romeo oriented the 1900 towards large numbers under the motto “the family member that wins races”.
Furthermore, and despite being based on a monocoque, this model was extensively worked on by independent coachbuilders scattered throughout northern Italy. In short, 1900 represented a perfect conciliation between tradition and future, practicality and sportiness, and even wholesale sales and unique pieces. However, the truth is that its massive manufacturing had completely absorbed the Portello factory. What's more, even the competition department had to reduce its activities. All this under the banner of fully focusing on moving forward with the demanding production of the Alfa Romeo 1900.
At this point, some company executives advised delegating everything related to circuits to an external team. Situation in which Abarth appeared as the perfect partner. Presenting itself as a pristine new sports preparation shop in need of finding a solvent mechanical supplier. So things, the first rapprochements between Abarth and Alfa Romeo took place in the mid-fifties. The product of this was the development in 1955 of the 750 Competizione. An excellent Sport Prototype in the form of a barchetta based on the Giuletta engine and bodied by Boano.
Regarding the mechanics, the adjustments made by Abarth in the cylinder head and the double camshaft boosted the power up to 145CV at 8.000 laps. Without a doubt, it was an exceptional car for the liter and a half class in the World Cup of Makes. Unfortunately wasted potential. Since, since long ago, Alfa Romeo had been withdrawing from racing due to its transition to mass production. Something that, on the other hand, came to further confirm the idea of delegating the functions of the competition department to Abarth.
Likewise, in 1958 there was a new collaboration between the two brands thanks to the Alfa Romeo-Abarth 1000. A model created as equals, using Bertone's work for its body under a design by Franco Scaglione. However, that sports car did not come to fruition either due to Alfa Romeo's difficulties in investing in new racing models even with the technical help of Abarth. Anyway, the 1000 was a truly revolutionary step forward. Not surprisingly, the tubular chassis designed by Mario Colucci -weighing just 50 kilos- completely seduced Carlo Abarth.
In fact, he offered Colucci the position of technical director in his company around 1960. An essential step to understand the creation in 1966 of the light and efficient abarth 1000sp. Yes, of those Abarth had already turned completely towards FIAT as an engine supplier. In addition, since 1963 the Autodelta team -founded by Carlo Chiti and Lodovico Chizzola two years earlier- served as the competition department at Alfa Romeo. With all this, one might think that the brief saga of the Alfa Romeo-Abarth was made up only of the 750 Competizione and the 1000. But no, more models were created along the way.
ALFA ROMEO-ABARTH 1300 BERLINETTA, COLANI'S AERODYNAMICS
In the mid-fifties, Carlo Abarth was not only interested in confirming his association with Alfa Romeo. He was also drawn to the possibilities of aerodynamics when it came to improving the performance of his creations. And no wonder. In the end, its engines could not compete in performance with those manufactured by Ferrari, Maserati or Aston Martin. In other words, like Cooper or Lotus in F1, Abarth had to make a virtue of necessity by maximizing the possibilities of reducing weight and improving the aerodynamic coefficient.
In this context, Abarth decided to trust a young designer who had already stood out as a FIAT partner. We are talking about Luigi Colani. Trained at the Sorbonne just after World War II, his name was quickly attached to biodynamic design. A trend based on adapting the fluid forms of nature to the efficiency of use in the industrial field. Something that Colani took to all kinds of fields. Designing from ergonomic pens to domestic furniture under an always distinctive look. All this to be, despite certain style controversies, an indisputable benchmark for XNUMXth century industrial design.
With all this, the interests of Colani and Abarth fully coincided in the field of aerodynamics. So things, in 1957 they began work on their berlinetta based on an Alfa Romeo Giulietta Spider. All this, with the aim of creating a model that is as efficient as possible when driving straight. In this way, the possibilities of its engine with 1.300 cubic centimeters and 110CV were expanded until it could reach a top speed of 210 kilometers per hour. In fact, the Alfa Romeo-Abarth 1300 Berlinetta was the first GT to go under ten minutes around the Nürburgring.
With a double bubble roof reminiscent of Zagato designs and a nose similar to the one that the 1962 GTO Drogo would already sport in 250, this Alfa Romeo-Abarth took care of its aerodynamic penetration even with regard to the underbody. Something unusual in sports cars of the time. Also, lowered the weight of the base car from 860 kilos to 780 finally marked by this berlinetta. Undoubtedly, one of the most interesting unique pieces among all those that, in one way or another, have united the Alfa Romeo and Abarth labels.
Photographs: FCA Heritage / Bonhams
