1969 Abarth Scorpione SS

The Carrozzeria Francis Lombardi Company of Vercelli, Italy, produced a rear-engine sports car based on the Fiat 850 from 1968 to 1972. The Giuseppe Rinaldi-penned wedge-style design was streamlined and attractive, with a Kammback stern and a low nose with pop-up (electrically raised and lowered) headlamps. During its production life, the steel-bodied coupe was marketed variously as the OTAS 820 Grand Prix, Lombardi Grand Prix, the Giannini, and as the Abarth Scorpione. Lombardi and Franco Giannini formed Officina Trasformazioni Automobili Sportive (a sports car conversion shop) and sold a tuned twin-cam version as the OTAS Grand Prix, also marketed as the Giannini 1000 Grand Prix, in Italy.

The Grand Prix was introduced in March of 1968 at the Geneva Auto Salon and came with standard 850 mechanicals, later adopting the 850 Special engine. Carlo Abarth worked on his own variation, installing a 903 cubic centimeter engine that produced 51 brake horsepower, and a front-mounted radiator for improved cooling. The Abarth 1300 Scorpione arrived in 1969 and was his last independently developed car as Fiat took over Abarth in 1971 and canceled the project. Despite its performance and sporty persona, the Abarth 1300 Scorpione sold in small numbers.

The Abarth Scorpione used a 1,200 cubic centimeter Fiat engine sourced from the 124 S with a larger bore (by 2.5 millimeters), resulting in a 1,280 cc engine displacement and an output of 74 brake horsepower. Period testing revealed the car to have a top speed of nearly 110 mph.

Along with engine improvements, chief engineer Colucci modified the suspension and brakes for additional performance and to cope with the higher specification engine. The 'SS' version included twin carburetors and an engine output of 100 horsepower. A mere six examples of the so-called 'SS' models were built.

The 'S' version received the suspension improvements of the 'SS,' along with the four-wheel Girling disc brakes. The single-carb 124-based engine of the 'S' was more favorable and flexible for road-going applications. The 74 horsepower engine was lively and frisky, and more than adequate for the 1,500 lb featherweight car. It is believed that approximately 30 examples of the 'S' were built, and approximately four are in the United States.

by Dan Vaughan

Coupe

It is believed that the legendary Karl Abarth constructed just five of these Abarth Scorpione SS vehicles. Two have been wrecked, one resides on the west coast and another on the east coast (shown). The final example is believed to be in Belgium.

The light green example shown was raced in Germany in the 1970s and 1980s and recently competed in the Pittsburgh Vintage Grand Prix, the Monterey Historics, and Watkins Glen. Finished second in the Historic Race Group for the country in 2005.

The car was built from 1968 until 1972 and was also marketed as the OTAS 820, as a Giannini, and as the Abarth Grand Prix and Scorpione. These rear-engined sports cars had Fiat 850 underpinnings and were developed by the Carrozzeria Francis Lombardi with an in-house design by Giuseppe Rinaldi. The cars made their debut in March of 1968 at the Geneva Motor Show. The prototype example was based on the front-wheel drive Autobianchi A112. The design was later adapted by Lombardi for the 850 sedan's floorpan. A Targa version was shown in Turin in 1969 and called the 'Monza.' At least two of those were built though it is not unknown if any were sold.

The design is eye-catching and even exotic, with its Kamm tail, pop-up headlights, and a sloping hood. The flip-up headlights were electrically powered and the bodywork was all steel, except the engine cover and rear panel. The windshield had a single wiper.

Powering the Scorpione SS is a Fiat 124 engine fitted with twin Weber carburetors. Horsepower is in the neighborhood of 100. There is a Fiat 850 gearbox, disc brakes, and an independent coil-over suspension found in the front.

by Abarth