History of the car

The second Abarth 205 was completed in time for the 1950 Mille Miglia where it was raced by Guido Scagliarini.

Averaging just over 100 km/h, he finished 31st overall. It was actively used until well into the 1960s when it was owned by Swiss racer Helmut Fischer. He had the car extensively modified and fitted with an Alfa Romeo Giulietta sourced 1300cc engine. Repainted dark green, it quickly received the nickname 'Fischer Green Star.' After his passing in 2003, the well used Abarth was offered in the 2004 Christie's Retromobile auction. It was acquired by the current owner for $135,626 (including buyer's premium).

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Although chassis 205102 was probably more famous in its final configuration, the new owner decided to restore the car as close to original as possible. In Fischer's ownership the car had received a revised nose, a new interior and a different engine. Rectifying all this took the better part of three years. Most of the work was done by Faralli & Mazzanti. During the 1950 Mille Miglia, the car had been raced with a bare aluminium body but the owner decided the car was probably better off by painting the car silver. The impressive work could be first admired during the 2009 Goodwood Festival of Speed.

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General history of the car

With its elegant lines and sleek roof line, this small Abarth has continued to cause a stir since its release at the 1951 Turin Auto Show. Not surprisingly so, since our feature car is the product of Karl Abarth's engineering skills combined with graceful styling of Giovanni Michelotti.

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After establishing himself as a talented engineer, three-time motor cycle champion Karl Abarth began constructing his own cars. At the time, Abarth had been laid off from bankrupt Cisitalia, but continued to race their cars while at the same time developing his own. The Abarth 205 as seen here was his first production car, and mimicked the 204 A race car.

For the 1949 season, Abarth's race team relied on cycle-winged Cisitalia 204s to win the Formula 2 Championship for sports cars. Much more than a renamed Cisitalia, Abarth's 204 had a unique chassis and a more developed engine. The final version of this successful car was the 204 A Coupe or Monza. With this coupe, Michelotti had successfully adopted his interpretation of the trend-setting Cisitalia 202.

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For the 1951 Turin Show, Alfredo Vignale completed a more luxurious coupe body for the 204 with a fully appointed interior and detuned engine. Called the 205 A, the body was outwardly similar to 204 Monza.

One of these 205 coupes was constructed to race the 1950 Mille Miglia. Guido Scagliarini and Cesare Garrone placed 31st overall in #630.

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Also at the race was a similarly bodied Abarth 204A Vignale Berlinetta.

With its jewel-like appearance the 205 coupe won several concours awards and helped to promote Abarth's extensive catalogue of tuning accessories.

 

My photography work at pista di Pergusa & Monte Pellegrino Historic 2015.