European Hill Climb Championship: Abarth

In the 1950s and 1960s, Porsche dominated the European Hill Climb Championship. However, in 1963 and 1964, another name emerged alongside Stuttgart's horse: Carlo Abarth. Lacking a winning car in the GT category—though still dominant in sports—Porsche turned to the ingenious Austrian-Italian engineer to develop a competitive vehicle starting from the too-heavy 356B chassis. This led to the creation of the 356 Carrera Abarth GTL, with a body designed by aerodynamics expert Franco Scaglione, known for his work on Alfa Romeo BAT projects for Bertone. Swiss driver Herbert Müller won two European Championships in the GT class with this car. This success inspired Abarth to develop increasingly competitive sports cars using Fiat and Simca engines.

Abarth was tasked by Porsche to lighten its cars, resulting in the 356 Carrera Abarth GTL, which won the GT class in the European Hill Climb Championship in 1963 and 1964.

In 1969, Arturo Merzario, driving one of these cars, finished just behind Peter Schetty's Ferrari 212 E Montagna, who had left Abarth for Ferrari. In 1970, Austrian driver Johannes Ortner clinched the European Hill Climb Championship in the Fiat Abarth 2000 Sport Spider, repeating the feat the following year with the 3000 SP powered by a 3-liter engine. Abarth was the only official team, with Ferrari focused on Formula 1 and Porsche on Le Mans.

The dynasty of 2000cc engine prototypes from Abarth culminated in Johannes Ortner's 1970 European Hill Climb Championship victory.

Abarth's significant presence in the European Hill Climb Championship ended after Fiat acquired the company and redirected it towards transforming road cars for sport use. The Scorpion brand then specialized in rally, modifying cars like the Autobianchi A112 (Abarth version) and Fiat 124 Abarth.

Johannes Ortner repeated his success in 1971 with the 3000cc engine version, winning the European Hill Climb Championship.