1974 FIAT 124 Spider Sport Abarth

The example we offer is identified by chassis number 124CSA0076385. According to the Certificato di origine Fiat Classiche, the numbers stamped on the chassis and engine match. It left the factory in Bianco 212 colour and with all options; it was one of the approximately 1,000 examples built to obtain Group 3 homologation (Gran Turismo production cars), which required the production of at least 1,000 examples within 12 months of launch. The car was produced in December 1973 but was first registered in Italy, in Vicenza, on 30 May 1974 with the number plate VI 299477. A few months after registration, this Fiat was prepared to participate in rallies. At the time of the photo shoot, the speedometer showed 26,060 kilometres.

At first glance, the bodywork appears to be in very good condition. The car is presented in a dark blue and white livery, which simulates the livery used by Team Ceccato at the time. The car was painted in this livery after the last restoration about ten years ago. On this occasion, replicas of the Scuderia Città di Schio stickers were made and applied to the front wheel arches. The paintwork is uniform and there is no "peeling" from one surface to another. The bodywork has some scratches around the hooks that hold the hard top in place and some imperfections around the boot opening. There are many stickers from events the car has participated in: mainly French events. Cosmetic elements were added to the car during preparation for Group 4, such as enlarged and riveted exposed wheel arches and front and rear mud flaps. The front wheel arches also feature a NACA air intake on the side. The bonnet is also rounded, with two NACA air intakes in the centre section and two grilles at the rear. There are two additional headlights riveted to the bonnet, which can be easily opened from the outside. There is also a fire extinguisher activator on the top of the bonnet. The windscreen is in good condition and has a white adhesive sun visor to protect the driver. At the rear we find the quick release fuel cap, which exits between the hardtop attached to the body, and the boot, which also has a quick release system. One of the rear bumper stops has a small crack. The car is fitted with four 13-inch Cromodora wheels of the period, in very good condition, plus a similar spare wheel, which is located inside the boot.

The cockpit is in very good condition with the original Fusina steering wheel and seats, which were special rally options. The dashboard, redesigned on this model for more sporting use, is complete with all switches and buttons and houses all the instruments needed for racing. On the driver's side we have the tachometer in a central position and the pressure, oil and water temperature gauges; while the speedometer is on the passenger's side, next to the (original) Tripmaster with toothed metal adaptor discs. The floor is simpler in appearance and is not completely covered by the floor mats, which are attached and bolted to the frame. To the left of the pedals is a small footrest for the driver. On the passenger side, the footrest is much larger and to the right is a pedal that operates the horn. Above the navigator's head is the original light for reading the notes in the special stages at night. The door trim panels are kept in good condition. Behind the seats are new 4-point belts anchored to the chassis and the fire extinguisher, in its original position. The rear view shows the 6-point roll bar which surrounds the interior of the car and is partially covered with carpet. The original 1975 Due Valli Rally "Verificato" and "FIAT Ceccato Schio" stickers are present.

The engine, located in the front compartment, is in excellent condition. It is a 1765 cc four-cylinder engine originally developing 128 bhp, water cooled pump and radiator and fed by two Weber twin body carburettors. The engine has been upgraded with various parts including high compression pistons giving an output of around 160 bhp. The engine has some modifications compared to the standard version, such as the distributor and K&N air filter. The original distributor and intake trumpets are also included in the sale. The original 5-speed gearbox is very smooth and works well. The car has been fitted with the original Abarth self-locking differential, which was offered as an option at the time. Mechanically, the front brakes are "ATE" self-ventilated brakes, which is a period modification following the FIA group 4 1975 specification, while the rear brakes are the original Abarth ventilated brakes. The underbody is in generally good condition. There is a bolt-on steel Abarth guard on the leaf springs and some other special Abarth guards due to the vehicle's Group 3 and Group 4 preparation.

The car was bought new on 29 May 1974 by a lady from Schio (VI), but immediately sold on 6 August 1974 to Sergio Comerio, a former rally driver. The car was prepared by Ceccato in Group 3 configuration to participate in rallies. Deployed by Scuderia Città di Schio, the car made its debut at the 3rd Due Valli Rally (12-13 October 1974) with the number 48 and finished 38th overall, 7th in Group 3 and 4th in Class 3/9. Also in 1974, it took part in the 2nd Campagnolo Rally (19-20 October) with number 44, finishing in 52nd position.

In 1975, the car took part in five rallies, including the 8th Rallye dell'isola d'Elba, which was valid for the European Rally Championship (17-19 April), with the number 70. This will be the most prestigious rally in which the car will participate during its sporting career. A 14th place in the Rallye delle Prealpi Venete e dei Colli Euganei (14 June 1975) marked the debut of new co-driver Tirato Maurizio, who would accompany the owner throughout the season. The car took part in the IV Due Valli Rally (12 October) with number 45 (25th overall, 4th in Group 3 and 3rd in class), the III Campagnolo Rally (3 November) with number 56 (65th overall) and the 333 Minuti Rally (37th overall).

On 22 December 1975 the car was bought by the driver Lorenzo Crescini and the car was updated with some components to run in Group 4. For the 1976 racing season, the owner was accompanied by navigator Nicola Santolin, and the two took part in four national rallies still under the banner of Scuderia Città di Schio. With the number 28, they took part in the Rallye Città di Modena (23 May), finishing 59th overall and 13th in their class. They achieved further placings at the Rallye Prealpi Venete e dei Colli Euganei (11 July), finishing 51st overall and 11th in class (with race number 33); and at the 5th Rally Due Valli (10 October), finishing 41st overall and 12th in class (with race number 48). The car was then used by Mr. Fiorentini, still accompanied by Santolin, for the 4th Campagnolo Rally (21 November). They arrived at the finish line in 56th position overall and 6th position in the class, for what turned out to be the car's last race.

In 1988 the car was bought by a German collector, before arriving in France in 1992. Since 2003, the car has belonged to its current owner. The car has undergone a complete restoration about ten years ago. The bodywork was sandblasted and painted in dark blue and white with reconstructions of the Scuderia Città di Schio stickers, to simulate the liveries of the Ceccato team cars. The mechanical part of the car was also carefully restored. The car has been carefully appraised and a monographic volume of about 300 pages has been produced, in which the sporting history and restoration of the car are analysed and documented. A dedicated article was recently published in Ruoteclassiche, a famous Italian magazine dedicated to classic cars. In June 2022, the car participated in the 26th Vernasca Silver Flag race for historic cars.

The car is in good general condition. It is an example that has been restored and has a significant documented history. It is perfect for collectors looking for a car that can be used both on the road and for fun in some competitions. In its current state, the car is ideal for impressing at rallies or taking part in some regularity races. With a few modifications and updates based on current FIA regulations, at the expense of originality, it will be able to compete again. The car has a Fiat certificate of origin, an italian chronological extract and a technical report that the winner of the auction can apply to buy separately at a later date from the current owner. This is the perfect car for collectors who want to bring back a car with a true sporting past.

It is the perfect car for collectors who want to bring back a car with an authentic sporting past.

Viewing is always encouraged, and this particular car is located with the seller in Bernay; to arrange an appointment please use the Contact Seller button at the top of the listing. Feel free to ask any questions or make observations in the comments section below, or try our ‘Frequently Asked Questions’.