Abarth and Furious

A true icon of rallying history, the Fiat 131 Abarth Rally is a rare and sought-after model, with just 400 built for homologation. Designed to replace the aging 124 Abarth, it made its debut at the 1976 Geneva Motor Show and quickly cemented its place in motorsport history.

Under the bonnet, the 2.0-litre 16-valve engine produced 140bhp in its road-going form, impressive given its lightweight construction. The rally version, pushing over 200bhp, went on to dominate the World Rally Championship, securing titles in 1977, 1978, and 1980. With victories at the Tour de Corse and beyond, the 131 Abarth played a pivotal role in enhancing Fiat’s sporting reputation.

The car featured here has been meticulously upgraded to Group 4 specification. It retains period-correct details, including an Abarth-stamped axle and gearbox, as well as an authentic 1980 livery from the post-Alitalia era. While the fuel system remains carburetted rather than Spica-injected, the modifications stay true to the original factory models.

This 1976 Fiat 131 Abarth rally car recently sold as part of Artcurial’s Retromobile 2025 sale in Paris.
Photos © Artcurial / Christian Martin.