One of Carlo Abarth's most memorably and successful line of vehicles was the 750 GT Zagato Coupé with its distinctive 'Double Bubble' top. Other successes included the highly collectible Record Monza, in both pushrod and twin cam (Bialbero) versions, and the Allemano Spyder and Coupé. Perhaps the most rare of his creations were the cars built on the 750/ 850 GT chassis.
The Abarth 850 Coupé (Scorpione) and Spyder (Riviera) by Allemano were first shown at the Geneve Saloon in 1959 (Spyder photos below). The engine is a Fiat-based 850 single-cam unit which develops 52 CV (38 kW; 51 hp) CUNA at 6000 rpm. The claimed top speed is 154 km/h (96 mph). RWD (rear-wheel drive), manual 4-speed gearbox. Accelerations: 0-60 mph 14.3 s. The coupé model was more elegant and comfortable than Zagato's version but heavier and less sporting.
It is estimated that only 41 of the 850 Scorpione Coupé Allemano were constructed. Comfortable, quick seating with a light steering, four-speed gearbox, fun to drive, nearly 360 degree vision and 833cc engine with a wonderful noise. Allemano's bodywork was later also made available with the larger 1000cc engine. (fsautomoveis.com, history-of-cars.com & automobile-catalog.com)
The Abarth 850 Coupé (Scorpione) and Spyder (Riviera) by Allemano were first shown at the Geneve Saloon in 1959 (Spyder photos below). The engine is a Fiat-based 850 single-cam unit which develops 52 CV (38 kW; 51 hp) CUNA at 6000 rpm. The claimed top speed is 154 km/h (96 mph). RWD (rear-wheel drive), manual 4-speed gearbox. Accelerations: 0-60 mph 14.3 s. The coupé model was more elegant and comfortable than Zagato's version but heavier and less sporting.
It is estimated that only 41 of the 850 Scorpione Coupé Allemano were constructed. Comfortable, quick seating with a light steering, four-speed gearbox, fun to drive, nearly 360 degree vision and 833cc engine with a wonderful noise. Allemano's bodywork was later also made available with the larger 1000cc engine. (fsautomoveis.com, history-of-cars.com & automobile-catalog.com)
Fiat Abarth 850 Coupé Scorpione Allemano
Fiat Abarth 850 Spyder Riviera Allemano
843 cc. 53-hp @6000rpm. The international press praised the car, but only a few of them were sold. The reason was, the car was too expensive: twice as much as a Porsche 356. The rest of cars were sold by Allemano to Cisitalia Argentina ICSA in Buenos Aires without engine, gearbox etc. Cisitalia was still existing in Argentina. The Spyders were sold as Cisitalia Spyder Abarth Gran Sport in Argentina. They have been equipped with original Abarth 850 technique identical to the Italian version. Only chassis numbers were different. (barth-germany.de)
1959 Cisitalia Abarth 850 Gran Sport Spyder Riviera Allemano
(Photos from bonhams.com, rmauctions.com, fsautomoveis.com,
conceptcarz.com, commons.wikimedia.org, flickr.com, history-of-cars.com,
coachbuildpedia.com, hemmings.com, hiveminer.com & autoweek.nl)
conceptcarz.com, commons.wikimedia.org, flickr.com, history-of-cars.com,
coachbuildpedia.com, hemmings.com, hiveminer.com & autoweek.nl)