The Alfa Romeo Scarabeo is a rear-mid-engined concept car that Alfa Romeo showed at the Paris Motor Show in 1966. It was engineered by Giuseppe Busso and Orazio Satta Puliga, with a body designed by Sergio Sartorelli at Officine Stampaggi Industriali. It was a prototype and was not put into production. This page covers the key facts, the background, the specifications and the questions people ask most often.
Alfa Romeo Scarabeo at a glance
| Manufacturer | Alfa Romeo, with Autodelta |
|---|---|
| Type | Concept and prototype, two-seat coupé |
| Debut | Paris Motor Show, 1966 |
| Engineering | Giuseppe Busso and Orazio Satta Puliga |
| Body | Sergio Sartorelli, at Officine Stampaggi Industriali |
| Engine | 1,570 cc inline four, DOHC, 115 bhp (86 kW) |
| Gearbox | Five-speed manual, rear-wheel drive |
The power figure is for the Scarabeo prototype as given in the English article. The engine was taken from the Alfa Romeo GTA.
History
After the Tipo 33 project was passed on to Autodelta, Giuseppe Busso proposed a new rear-engined sports car to Orazio Satta Puliga and his team. It was to use the tubular chassis of the Tipo 33 but be cheaper and lighter than earlier designs. The Scarabeo project was dropped in favour of a full racing programme at Autodelta.
The English article notes that the Scarabeo’s suspension was based on the Renault R8 to save costs. The second and third prototypes are kept at the Alfa Romeo Museum.
Design and features
- A rear-mid-engined two-seat coupé layout, with the engine, clutch and gearbox mounted as one unit.
- Carburettors placed behind the left-hand seat, because of the engine layout.
- A right-hand-drive car, to put the driver away from the loud carburettors.
Variants
- Scarabeo prototype (1966): the car described here, shown in Paris.
- Scarabeo, second and third prototypes: kept at the Alfa Romeo Museum.
See also: the Alfa Romeo Montreal, the Alfa Romeo TZ3 and the Alfa Romeo collection.
Alfa Romeo Scarabeo questions and answers
When was the Scarabeo shown?
At the Paris Motor Show in 1966.
Was it put into production?
No. It remained a prototype.
Where can the prototypes be seen?
The second and third prototypes are at the Alfa Romeo Museum, according to the English article.
Sources
- Alfa Romeo Scarabeo, English Wikipedia: 1966 Paris debut, engineering team, background, specifications, prototypes in the museum
- 1966 Alfa Romeo Scarabeo by OSI, Wikimedia Commons: photo and licence
