92 | GOODWOOD REVIVAL SALE
Work to homologate a rally Fiat for international use was already
underway when, in August 1971 Fiat bought Abarth & C. The
company’s world-class development efforts were then channelled
exclusively into rallying – the specialist concern’s expertise in rapid
research, development, design, manufacture and testing of special
components proving decisive.
Within their first year in partnership Abarth’s input elevated
competition efforts onto a truly World-class level. Under their
guidance the 124 Rally was created.
After a serious development effort the124 Abarth Rally was launched
in Autumn 1972. FIA homologation for international and national
events – followed that November. The acceptance requirement was
for a minimum 400 matching units to be manufactured. The standard
124 Spider chassis were built up in batches at Abarth to meet both
the road-going (Stradale) and works rally cars required. Around 30
Fiat 124 Spider shells were set aside for works rally preparation. The
rest were prepared as road-going Stradale versions for sale through
Fiat dealerships.
Through the 1973 season, the 124 Abarth still lacked pace and
reliability – and Fiat lost the World Championship to the established
Renault-Alpine equipe in consequence. Through1974-75, Abarth
progressively developed the car with stronger suspension, larger,
better cooled brakes, wheel and tyre improvements and an
extensively lightened shell - culminating in the wide body kit version
of 1975 which sported a special 16-valve twin-cam engine with
Kugelfischer mechanical fuel injection. By the end of 1975 this power
unit was claimed to be delivering a reliable 210bhp. The car’s livery
was also changed from the initial Abarth red with black hard top,
boot and bonnet to brighter red with yellow trim.These cars won the European Rally Championship, but another Fiat
Group rally car – the exotic Lancia Stratos – proved unbeatable at
World Rally Championship level. The 124 Abarths continued winning
events into 1974 and while the ultimate variant built for the 1975
season also had an Abarth 16-valve head with mechanical fuel
injection this example is in earlier configuration with 8-valve head and
Weber carburettors.