Abarth · 1950–1953
Abarth 205
The Abarth 205A Berlinetta was a coupé sports car, also known as the Abarth 205A Monza built by Austrian born tuning expert Carlo Abarth in 1950. It was a development of the Abarth Cisitalia 204A but with a new platform chassis, still using the engine and other components from the Fiat 1100 B/E. Only three 205As were finished in 1950; chassis numbers 101, 102, and 103, but an additional car (chassis 104) was built in 1953 with an extravagant Ghia body. Slow sales meant that for the next few years Abarth chose to focus on building his exhaust and tuning business, allowing competition and car manufacturing take a backseat. In 1955, the 205A was succeeded by the 207A Spyder and its derivatives.
Text from Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0).
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Design
Just like the Cisitalia 202 and 204, the 205A continued to use a pushrod 1.1-liter engine derived from the Fiat 1100. These cars have confusingly sometimes been referred to as "Abarth 204A Berlinetta," but the 205's platform chassis was actually a new design. The Michelotti-designed body used on the first three cars was made from aluminium. Chassis 101. The first model of this type was manufactured in March 1950 and was first campaigned on March 26, 1950, during the Inter-Europe Cup run at the Monza Autodrome. With Guido Scagliarini, driver and associate of Carlo Abarth, at the wheel, they won their category. This car also took part of the 1950 Mille Miglia, where it did not finish. Carrying starting number 533, it was fitted with temporary nose and tail extensions for improved aerodynamics, made by in-house coachbuilder Giuseppe Manera. The engine in this car is a Fiat 1100 B engine fitted with a Cisitalia head, a dry sump, two Weber carburetors, and producing about 80 hp (59 kW). This car is currently in the O'Sullivan Square Museum in San Diego. Chassis 102. This car, which has chassis number 102, is in fact the third and last example made. It differs in a number of ways, mainly the result of having a 2,330 mm (91.7 in) wheelbase rather than the original's 2,210 mm (87.0 in). It is presumed that this car was intended for the personal use of Carlo Scagliarini, brother of the driver and partner of Carlo Abarth, after it was retired from competition. The engine was similar to the one installed in chassis 101, although this unit was tuned by S.I.R.C.A. (Societa Italiana Rappresentanze Commercio Automobili) of Milano. The just finished, still unpainted car competed at the 1950 Mille Miglia (listed as an "Abarth 204/A"), where it carried starting number 630. Driver Carlo S
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Specifications
- name
- Abarth 205A
- aka
- Abarth 204A Berlinetta, Abarth 205A Monza
- Manufacturer
- Abarth
- Production
- 1950–1953 (4 produced)
- Designer
- Giovanni Michelotti (for Ghia)
- Assembly
- Turin, Italy
- Layout
- FR layout
- Engine
- 1089 cc Fiat OHV I4, 1188 cc Fiat OHV I4
- Transmission
- 4-speed manual
- Wheelbase
- 2210 mm
- Length
- 3495 mm
- Width
- 1420 mm
- Height
- 1245 mm
- Kerb weight
- 818 kg
- Successor
- Abarth 207A Spyder
- sp
- uk
Specification summary from Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0). Check the linked sources for citations.
More photos
Sources
- Wikidata — https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q2612629CC0 1.0 · retrieved 2026-10-01
- Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Abarth_205A_BerlinettaCC BY-SA 4.0 · Text © Wikipedia contributors; revision 1329252532 · retrieved 2026-10-01
- Wikimedia Commons — https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:1950Abarth205Monza.jpgCC BY 2.0 · Photo: Brian Snelson · retrieved 2026-10-01
- Car Model Index — https://models.autoculturesociety.com/Compiled record. Sources that do not permit reuse are not copied; this index is credited instead.