Stellantis’ Heritage department is commemorating Abarth’s 75th Anniversary with two tributes to the Scorpion’s history: the captivating temporary exhibition inside the Heritage Hub which retraces the brand’s most important moments through some of its most famous vehicles, and the presentation of the “Abarth Classiche 1300 OT” with a 1:3 scale model on display at the commemorative event.
Roberto Giolito, Head of Stellantis Heritage (Alfa Romeo, FIAT, Lancia, Abarth), stated: “There is a common thread which links the Abarth vehicles of the past on display in the temporary exhibition which we have set up here in the brand’s home of Turin, and the thrilling Abarth Classiche 1300 OT, a dream which will soon become an incredible reality. This common thread can be found in the brand’s core values: superior performance, expert craftsmanship, and constant technical refinement—all of which were once represented by the brand’s iconic forerunners, and today are an integral part of the new project from the Heritage “Reloaded by Creators” program. Moreover, these are the same values which feature in the Scorpion’s current lineup, which proves that Carlo Abarth’s principles still serve as inspiration for the future. So, with this compelling exhibition and the announcement of the limited-edition Abarth Classiche 1300 OT, the Stellantis Heritage department (Alfa Romeo, FIAT, Lancia, Abarth) is not only commemorating human, sporting, and technological heritage, but paying tribute to the various generations of fans throughout the world who still expect both a thrilling drive and a distinctive style from the Scorpion and still have faith in the founder’s famous motto: “Sunday on the track and Monday in the office”.
With 12 vehicles at the museum’s entrance at the temporary exhibition, 26 models can be found inside the exhibition area, allowing visitors to admire other “lesser known”, yet equally important, Abarth models further into the museum complex. Specifically, the 12 vehicles up front come from private collectors and Stellantis’ collection: from the first 500 tuned by Carlo Abarth—the one with which he set six speed and endurance records on the Monza circuit in 1958—to the legendary 1960s’ Abarth 1000, the Abarth 500e with a Poison Blue livery, and the brand-new Abarth 696 75th Anniversario which pays tribute to the Scorpion’s history and the famous 1.4 T-Jet engine, whose displacement (1,368 cc) inspired the 1,368 models produced for its limited-edition run.
The 26 other incredible vehicles in the exhibition include the 750 Record Aero designed by a young Franco Scaglione and the 1000 Formulino which was driven by Carlo Abarth himself to set the brand’s 100th record. Visitors will also be able to admire the iconic 131 Abarth which won 3 Group 4 World Rally Championships, and the brutal 037, which, in 1983, was the last two-wheel-drive vehicle to win the World Rally Championship against all-wheel-drive competition. The exhibition also features some rarities like the elegant 2400 Coupé Allemano—Carlo Abarth’s personal vehicle in early 1960s—and the powerful Fiat 131 Supermirafiori "2000/TC Volumetrico” tuned by Carlo Abarth which Giovanni Agnelli used for everyday driving. Moreover, each vehicle on display at the commemorative event has rich a backstory which is sure to strike younger visitors and bring a smile, and a bit of nostalgia, to those who lived through Italy’s economic miracle, when Abarth was synonymous with speed, tuning, and emotion.
The exhibition’s special guest will be the Abarth Classiche 1300 OT model which is made in Epowood and includes fine details like a rear grill with “Abarth lettering”. Mechanically based on the 2009 Abarth Classiche 1000 SP project, which was derived from the Alfa Romeo 4C, this new creation is the evolution of the Abarth Classiche 1000 SP created by the Heritage team in 2021 which came in just five models and sold out in record time. Featuring a carbon-fiber body and the historic “periscope” reinterpreted in a contemporary key, the new Abarth Classiche 1300 OT is already available for order and will be produced in just five limited-edition models and sold by the Stellantis Heritage department (Alfa Romeo, FIAT, Lancia, Abarth).
Thanks to this compelling exhibition’s design which highlights the vehicles’ uniqueness in terms of design, technological innovation, and sporting success, the event dedicated to the Scorpion’s 75th anniversary is the perfect chance to admire these authentic “gems” of world motorsport. This incredible exhibition further enhances the Heritage Hub experience, which is normally open to the public with guided tours and will be open for about three months starting from April 12th with the purchase of a classic guided visit at the museum in via Plava in Turin. Further information, bookings, and purchases are available at the following link.
Abarth Classiche 1300 OT: speed and passion
Abarth Classiche 1300 OT is the new vehicle designed by Heritage to pay homage to the iconic car that achieved racing success half a century ago. This special edition, within Heritage’s “Reloaded by Creators” project, offers to the enthusiasts the opportunity to own a contemporary reinterpretation of one of the most iconic cars from the 1960s. In 1965, the Fiat-Abarth OT 1300 stood out on the track for its exceptional agility and power, derived from an efficient elaboration of the Fiat 850.
Featuring a lightweight and aerodynamic fibreglass body and a distinctive “periscope” mounted afterwards to cool the cabin, the OT 1300 became an icon of Abarth innovation in racing cars. As of today, the Heritage team under the label “Abarth Classiche” pays tribute to those everlasting values with the new Abarth Classiche 1300 OT, a work that fuses style, performance, and history. Mechanically based on the Abarth Classiche 1000 SP project, from which the Alfa Romeo 4C was shaped, this new creation retains the essence of an authentic Abarth. The bodywork, now made of carbon fibre, newly introduces the characteristic “periscope” of the historic car, reinterpreted in a contemporary key. The slotted plexiglass rear window for cooling and the large rear grille for the engine compartment, featuring “Abarth” lettering, emphasize the bond with the historic design. The front end, with its sinuous curves, is reminiscent of Abarth sports cars of the past, with generous openings dedicated to cooling. Abarth Classiche 1300 OT represents the most authentic and genuine way to honor an epic car that is still in the hearts of all true enthusiasts of the Abarth brand around the world.
The car, produced in limited edition of five units, is already available for order.