Abarth and Company, a name that was to become synonymous with highly tuned specialist cars based on Fiat mechanical components, opened for business in 1949, manufacturing high-performance mufflers. A year later, Carlo Abarth’s genius for obtaining amazing horsepower from tiny engines became evident with his modifications on the then-new Fiat 600.
Abarths earned class victories in the Mille Miglia, and in America they saw class wins at such events as Lime Rock, Sebring, Nassau and Daytona.
Meanwhile, in a parallel development, the famous coachbuilder Francis Lombardi developed a handsome coupe body in very limited numbers. Carlo Abarth was quick to determine that the combination of the pretty Lombardi body and his amazingly potent engines would make an excellent combination.
Abarth accordingly secured a number of bodies, with the resulting car being designated the OTAS Abarth Scorpione. With its Kamm tail, sloping hood and pop-up headlights, the Abarth Scorpione is an extremely unusual and distinctive car.
The particular car featured here is chassis number 47. It is preserved in extremely original, low-mileage condition, having had just two California owners from new.