Vehicle model
Abarth 124 Rally
The Abarth 124 Rally represents one of Carlo Abarth's most iconic creations in the field of 1970s motorsport competition. Developed from the Fiat 124 Sport Spider, this rally machine was designed specifically to dominate events in the World Rally Championship. The project began in 1971 when Fiat entrusted Abarth with the mission of transforming the graceful Spider into a formidable competition weapon. The first competition version was homologated in 1972 under Group 4 regulations, marking the beginning of an exceptional sporting career that would extend through the mid-1970s. The design of the Abarth 124 Rally retained the recognizable silhouette of the original Spider styled by Pininfarina, but adopted substantial modifications to meet competition requirements. Widened fiberglass fenders allowed for wider tires, essential for maximizing grip on the winding roads of rally stages. The front hood integrated a prominent air intake to improve cooling for the supercharged engine, while the rear received an integrated spoiler to optimize aerodynamic downforce at high speeds. The interior was stripped of all non-essentials, equipped with a tubular safety roll cage, bucket seats, and comprehensive instrumentation oriented toward pure performance. Under the hood, the Abarth 124 Rally housed a four-cylinder inline engine derived from the Fiat 1600 block, but deeply modified by Abarth's engineers. Depending on versions and regulatory evolutions, displacement varied between 1600 and 1800 cc. The most powerful version developed approximately 240 horsepower thanks to the adoption of a sophisticated supercharging system and a specific cylinder head with dual overhead camshafts. This impressive power, combined with a weight kept under 900 kilograms through extensive use of lightweight materials, gave the car breathtaking performance on timed special stages. The Abarth 124 Rally underwent several major technical evolutions during its career. The transmission was reinforced to handle the significant torque from the turbocharged engine, with a specially adapted five-speed gearbox. Suspensions received adjustable shock absorbers and reinforced springs, while the braking system adopted ventilated discs on all four wheels. These continuous improvements allowed the car to remain competitive against formidable adversaries like the Lancia Stratos and Alpine A110. On the sporting front, the Abarth 124 Rally collected notable successes, winning several European rallies and class victories in the world championship. Its legacy remains indelible in Italian rally history, demonstrating Abarth's expertise in preparation and its ability to transform a production car into a special stage champion. Today, these machines are particularly sought after by collectors and continue to participate in historic events, perpetuating the legend of this supercharged Spider.
History
History of the Abarth 124 Rally
The Abarth 124 Rally represents one of Carlo Abarth's most iconic creations in the field of 1970s motorsport competition. Developed from the Fiat 124 Sport Spider, this rally machine was designed specifically to dominate events in the World Rally Championship. The project began in 1971 when Fiat entrusted Abarth with the mission of transforming the graceful Spider into a formidable competition weapon. The first competition version was homologated in 1972 under Group 4 regulations, marking the beginning of an exceptional sporting career that would extend through the mid-1970s. The design of the Abarth 124 Rally retained the recognizable silhouette of the original Spider styled by Pininfarina, but adopted substantial modifications to meet competition requirements. Widened fiberglass fenders allowed for wider tires, essential for maximizing grip on the winding roads of rally stages. The front hood integrated a prominent air intake to improve cooling for the supercharged engine, while the rear received an integrated spoiler to optimize aerodynamic downforce at high speeds. The interior was stripped of all non-essentials, equipped with a tubular safety roll cage, bucket seats, and comprehensive instrumentation oriented toward pure performance. Under the hood, the Abarth 124 Rally housed a four-cylinder inline engine derived from the Fiat 1600 block, but deeply modified by Abarth's engineers. Depending on versions and regulatory evolutions, displacement varied between 1600 and 1800 cc. The most powerful version developed approximately 240 horsepower thanks to the adoption of a sophisticated supercharging system and a specific cylinder head with dual overhead camshafts. This impressive power, combined with a weight kept under 900 kilograms through extensive use of lightweight materials, gave the car breathtaking performance on timed special stages. The Abarth 124 Rally underwent several major technical evolutions during its career. The transmission was reinforced to handle the significant torque from the turbocharged engine, with a specially adapted five-speed gearbox. Suspensions received adjustable shock absorbers and reinforced springs, while the braking system adopted ventilated discs on all four wheels. These continuous improvements allowed the car to remain competitive against formidable adversaries like the Lancia Stratos and Alpine A110. On the sporting front, the Abarth 124 Rally collected notable successes, winning several European rallies and class victories in the world championship. Its legacy remains indelible in Italian rally history, demonstrating Abarth's expertise in preparation and its ability to transform a production car into a special stage champion. Today, these machines are particularly sought after by collectors and continue to participate in historic events, perpetuating the legend of this supercharged Spider.
Technology
Technologies, engines and platforms
The Abarth 124 Rally was based on a modified Fiat 124 Spider platform, lightened and reinforced for competition. Its four-cylinder inline engine of 1600 to 1800 cc with dual overhead camshafts developed up to 240 horsepower thanks to supercharging by turbocharger or volumetric compressor depending on versions. The five-speed manual transmission was specifically reinforced to handle high torque. Independent front suspension and rigid rear axle received competition components with adjustable shock absorbers. Four-wheel ventilated disc braking ensured efficient deceleration. The body integrated fiberglass elements to reduce total weight below 900 kg, optimizing the power-to-weight ratio essential in rallying.
Tires and wheels
Tire and wheel compatibility
For the Abarth 124 Rally, tire and wheel dimensions varied according to competition specifications and regulations in effect. It is essential to verify the exact dimensions suitable for your specific version and intended use, whether historic or road-going.
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