One to Buy: 1976 Fiat Abarth 131 Rally
For three straight season between 1974 and 1976, Lancia set the World Rally Championship alight with the purpose-built Stratos, the like of which had never been seen before.
However, while the Stratos had dominated in a hitherto unseen fashion, parent company Fiat wanted to derive greater commercial benefit from their expensive rally programme.
To this end, factory support for the Stratos was cut for 1977 as Fiat went rallying with a new car that more closely resembled the type of vehicle you could find on any showroom floor: the 131-based Abarth Rally.
400 were built to qualify for the premier Group 4 category, production of which was predominantly handled at the Bertone works in Turin.
Uprated bodyshells were equipped with new multi-link rear suspension, improved brakes and wider wheels. Lightweight exterior panels included new cooling addenda, flared arches and an array of spoilers. In the engine bay was a two-litre inline four reworked by Aurelio Lampredi to produce 140bhp at 6400rpm and 130lb-ft at 3600rpm.
Production started in October 1975 and homologation was approved the following April.
Like the Stratos, the Abarth 131 Rally went on to secure a trio of Driver and Manufacturer World Championships in 1977 (Sandro Munari), 1978 (Markku Alen) and 1980 (Walter Rohrl).
Set to go under the hammer during Iconic Auctioneers’ Race Retro Classic and Competition Car Sale at Stoneleigh Park, Warwickshire, on February 25th is this low mileage Rosso Arancio example from 1976.
Purchased from Italy in 2005 with just 11,000km on the odometer, this very low mileage example (chassis 2049112) was subsequently treated to an engine rebuild and is now showing a little over 12,000km. It is expected to realise between £120,000 and £150,000.
Reprinted below is Iconic Auctioneers’ description for this rarely seen Abarth Group 4 homologation special:
Chassis No.: 2049112
A rare and genuine 131 Abarth Rally Stradale in outstanding original condition throughout.
Apart from the quirkiness possessed by all-Italian cars, it wouldn’t be unkind to describe the standard Fiat 131 as just another unremarkable family saloon, however, Fiat’s decision in 1975 to contest the Group 4 Rally Championship using the 131 and invite input from Abarth and Bertone was a game-changer. The company’s involvement in international Rallying brought untold publicity and success in the form of the 1977, 1978 and 1980 FIA World Rally Constructor’s titles, as well as the World Rally Drivers Championships in 1978 and 1980. Much to the delight of enthusiasts, it also brought 400 “Stradale” road-going versions, built to satisfy FIA Group 4 homologation requirements, on to the market.
The alterations required to turn a bland saloon into an all-surface competition machine were significant and began with the chassis itself. Abarth engineers removed the rigid rear axle and replaced it with a fully independent MacPherson strut setup. They also developed a 2.0-litre twin-cam, in-line four-cylinder engine with a lightweight alloy 16-valve head, which sent power to the rear wheels through a 5-speed manual gearbox.
The engine in the Stradale version breathed through a Weber double-barrel carburettor and produced a claimed 140bhp (single Weber 34ADF carburettor). Meanwhile, Bertone developed special bodywork, fitting a fibreglass bonnet and aluminium doors to reduce weight and adding wheel arches to accommodate larger 15'' Cromodoras and tyres, air intakes for cooling and spoilers for additional downforce. The results were spectacular, a cohesive design that turned the two-door shopping car into a veritable 1970s road-rocket.
The car on offer here is indeed one of those 400 Fiat 131 Homologation Specials and remains in outstanding original condition throughout. It was purchased by our vendor some years ago and has formed part of his private Collection ever since with minimal use during his ownership. Apparently it was found in Italy in 2005 showing a recorded mileage at that time of circa 11,000km and was secured through a French contact.
At the time of delivery it was noted that mechanically the engine was in need of a little care and attention, probably due to the intake and lack of air filters, and so the decision was taken, for peace of mind, to undertake a complete rebuild to ensure that everything was as it should be. The rebuild was completed using all the correct parts including genuine Abarth pistons, however, the twin IDF Webers, that we understand were fitted from new as a factory option, were retained.
Despite having had little use in recent years, we are told the little Fiat is superb mechanically and the whole car presents with an intoxicating air of originality throughout.
This is a rare, genuine 131 Abarth that remains unmolested, recently serviced, including a replacement cambelt, and is ready to be enjoyed once again as intended, either out on the open road or forming part of any serious Fiat collection.
