This magnificent, one-of-a-kind machine is the 1969 Abarth Scorpione 1300 Prototipo (104N 1411387 261). The idea behind this riveting automotive project all began in 1968, with the creation of an entirely different car known as the Lombardi Grand Prix, a small, rear-engined sports car that was built based upon the underpinnings of the Fiat 850 (Tipo 100G). The Lombardi Grand Prix of 1968-1972 was developed by an aeronautical and automobile design house known as Carrozzeria Francis Lombardi, a company owned by World War I flying ace, Carlo Lombardi. In the year 1969, Carrozzeria Francis Lombardi entered into a partnership with Italian tuning company, Giannini Automobili S.p.A. in order to form Officina Trasformazioni Automobili Sportive, a company that would attempt to create a tuned up version of the Grand Prix. All this time, Italian automobile designer Carlo Abarth was working on his very own take on the Grand Prix racer known as a the 1300 Sciorpione. To create the 1300 Sciorpione, a prototype was needed, and this car shown here traces its origins back to 1969, where it began its life as a standard 104 N model. In the year 1971, the car was sold off to Italian racing engineer Francesco Landi, who had installed a number of modifications in order to take the car out racing. In the car’s debut in competition, Landi took 2nd place at the Coppa dello Collino. During this time the car also received exterior work from bodywork specialist Giovanni Paganucci, who added NACA-duct air vents and Perspex windows, as well as giving the car it’s interesting orange and green livery. Following this array of modifications, Landi then took 1st in class at Alta Garafagnana. Finally, after retiring from racing in 1971 due to mechanical issues, the car was rediscovered in 1999 and restored back to as close as original condition as possible. After being used in a small number of historic events, this example was later auctioned in London by @rmsothebys in 2015.
How many made? One-of-a-kind
Engine: Fiat 124s 1.2 litre engine, bored out by 2.5 mm for a total of 1280 cc
Debut: n/a
Top Speed: 109mph (tested)
0-60: n/a
Photo Credit: @rmsothebys
Research: @rarecarsonly
1969 Abarth Scorpione 1300 Prototipo
14.06.2024
Abarth