The Abarth 205A Berlinetta, also known as the Abarth 205 Monza or 205 Vignale, was a small-series Fiat-based sports coupé built by Carlo Abarth in 1950: the first Abarth car shown at an international motor show. Only three were finished in 1950, with a fourth chassis in 1953. This page covers the key figures, the history of each chassis and common questions.
Abarth 205A Berlinetta at a glance
| Builder | Abarth, Turin (Carlo Abarth) |
|---|---|
| Built | 1950; three cars (chassis 101, 102, 103) plus a fourth chassis (104) in 1953 |
| Body | aluminium coupé designed by Giovanni Michelotti |
| Engine | Fiat 1100 pushrod four-cylinder, 1,089 cc (1,188 cc on chassis 103) |
| Power | about 80 hp (chassis 101), 65 hp DIN (chassis 103); 83 hp with the Abarth tuning kit according to Italian Wikipedia |
| Wheelbase | 2,210 mm (2,330 mm on chassis 102) |
| Predecessor and successor | Cisitalia-Abarth 204A; succeeded in 1955 by the 207A Spyder |
The two sources disagree on several details of the individual chassis, such as the first race result and the later owners. The table shows only what both agree on, or the figure with its source. This page is based on Wikipedia in two languages, so figures could not be cross-checked against other references.
History of the Abarth 205A
After the Cisitalia works closed in 1949, Carlo Abarth built cars of his own from Cisitalia 204A material. The 205A followed as a development with a new platform chassis, still using the engine and parts of the Fiat 1100. The cars have sometimes been called the “Abarth 204A Berlinetta”, which English Wikipedia says is confusing, because the chassis was a new design.
The first car was made in March 1950 and was campaigned on 26 March 1950 in the Inter-Europe Cup at Monza with Guido Scagliarini, who won his class. It then ran the 1950 Mille Miglia. The most developed car, chassis 103, was aimed at small-series production for wealthy customers and was presented at the Turin Motor Show in 1950.
Sales were slow. English Wikipedia notes that the Michelotti-bodied Ferrari 166 Inter, presented in September 1950, looked similar and sold at about the same price, but performed distinctly better, so the 205A found no further buyers. Abarth turned back to his exhaust and tuning business, and the 205A was succeeded in 1955 by the 207A Spyder.
Design and features
- Body: an aluminium coupé designed by Giovanni Michelotti; Italian Wikipedia says the body was built by Alfredo Vignale, which explains the name “Vignale Berlinetta”.
- Engine: a Fiat 1100 B engine with a Cisitalia head, a dry sump and two Weber carburettors (chassis 101), around 80 hp. Italian Wikipedia gives 83 hp with an Abarth kit of a revised intake manifold, two Weber carburettors and a sports exhaust.
- Chassis 103: displacement raised from 1,089 to 1,188 cc but power lowered to 65 hp DIN thanks to a milder tune, with a luxurious interior.
Chassis of the 205A
- 101: the first car, built in March 1950 for competition; fitted with temporary nose and tail extensions for the Mille Miglia (starting number 533, did not finish).
- 102: the last of the three, with a longer 2,330 mm wheelbase; at the 1950 Mille Miglia it finished 31st overall (9th in class) with Carlo Scagliarini and Luigi Garrone.
- 103: the luxury car presented at Turin, with the larger 1,188 cc engine.
- 104 (1100 Sport Ghia Coupé): built in 1953 with an airplane-inspired bullet-nosed Michelotti design carrying Ghia badges and the mechanicals of the Fiat 1100/103, around 65 hp.
More early Abarth sports cars are in our Abarth collection, for example the Abarth 750 and the Abarth 1000.
Abarth 205A questions and answers
What is the Abarth 205A Berlinetta?
A coupé sports car built by Carlo Abarth in 1950 on a new platform chassis with Fiat 1100 mechanicals and a Michelotti body.
How many were built?
Three in 1950 (chassis 101, 102 and 103). A fourth chassis, number 104, was completed in 1953 with a Ghia body.
Why is it also called Monza or Vignale?
The first car raced at Monza in 1950, and Italian Wikipedia says the aluminium body was built by Alfredo Vignale. The 205A Monza and 205 Vignale names refer to the same car.
Why did it sell so poorly?
English Wikipedia says the Ferrari 166 Inter, with a similar Michelotti body and price, performed better.
What replaced it?
The 207A Spyder, in 1955.
Sources
- Abarth 205A Berlinetta, English Wikipedia: chassis, engine, history
- Abarth 205 Vignale Berlinetta, Italian Wikipedia: technical data, body, racing results
