1973 Fiat-Abarth 124 CSA Sport Rally Spider

The Fiat 124 Abarth Rally was a high-performance ‘homologation special’ based on the 124 Sport Spider. First introduced in 1966 at the Turin Show and based on a shortened 124 saloon floor pan and running gear, the attractive Pininfarina-styled Sport Spider and its derivatives would prove an outstanding success for FIAT, over 200,000 being sold before production ended in 1982. The Abarth Rally first become available in November ’72 having been seen previously in prototype form at the Geneva Salon. Extensively revised with rallying in mind, the Abarth Rally featured independent rear suspension by McPherson struts, wider light-alloy wheels, flared wheelarches, glassfibre body panels, a five-speed gearbox, limited-slip differential, an internal roll-over bar, rigid hardtop, competition seats and a revised dashboard. The engine was a 1,756cc twin-cam four producing 128bhp (DIN) in standard trim with 170bhp available in full rallying tune. Homologated initially in Group 2, the Abarth-modified 124 Spider served as FIAT’s frontline rally car throughout 1973, achieving one World Championship victory. Re-homologated into Group 3 for 1974, the Abarth Rally picked up another World Championship win and several top-three finishes, but its finest hour would come in 1975 when, this time competing in Group 4, Maurizio Verini won the European Rally Championship at the wheel of the final, 16-valve version.

This is perfectly original example in full factory specification, having just 44,ooo kilometers (just 27,500 miles) from new. This 124CSA is one of a mere 1012 produced over 2 years for homologation purposes so they can Race…survivors are few, particularly in this condition. Its known history is documented from the mid 90’s to our current ownership. It was licensed in italy with the ID-Plate number VI 876043 and an Italian owner, a Mr Roberto “Roby“ Mattana from Bassano del Grappa owned it for several years. It then changed hands & sold directly to rallying legend and two-time World Champion Miki Biasion. Massimo ‘Miki’ Biasion was born in Bassano del Grappa, Veneto and first came to prominence in 1983, winning both the Italian and European Rally Championships that year, driving a Lancia 037. Driving for the Lancia works team, he went on to win the World Championship for the Italian manufacturer in 1988 and 1989. Accompanying documentation consists of a FFVE Historic Vehicle Certificate; ASI papers; a copy of the 2017 sales invoice; and an ACI Certificato di Proprieta in Miki Biasion’s name. In 2017 Miki sold it to a Mr. Andre Binda, a prominent collector from Nice, France. Mr. Binda sold it thru the Bonhams Monaco Collector Car Auction to ourselves, from Ft. Lauderdale, Florida.