Noble Sisters: Autobianchi A112 Abarth

We are in the 1970s, a period in Italy marked by social tensions and major changes following the economic boom from 1958 to 1963 when GDP grew at an annual rate of 6.3%. Durable consumer goods such as appliances and cars became accessible to a larger audience. In the automotive field, the MINI dominated, partly due to the acquisition of Innocenti, which produced the model in Lambrate, bypassing customs duties and making it a commercial success among young people. To regain market share, Fiat introduced the A112 in 1969 at the Turin Motor Show, a creation of Dante Giacosa that would sell over 1.2 million units by 1986.

The Autobianchi A112 was unveiled at the 1969 Turin Motor Show to challenge the MINI Cooper's success.

Carlo Abarth, the Austrian-born Italian tuning specialist famous for his exhaust systems, immediately saw the potential of the car and, in 1970, proposed to Fiat a race car prototype based on the A112, hoping to replicate his past racing success with the Fiat 500 and 600. Although Fiat's executives were not keen on developing a racing car, they approved a road-going sport version using some of Abarth’s modifications to compete with the MINI Cooper's performance. The first prototypes began testing in 1971, the same year Fiat acquired the Abarth brand, and Carlo Abarth became a consultant for the A112's development. By the end of the year, the A112 Abarth debuted at the Turin Motor Show, receiving strong public interest and a large number of orders despite a price close to that of the MINI Cooper.

The first prototype of the A112 tuned by Carlo Abarth was presented to Fiat executives in 1970. The idea of a race car was abandoned in favor of a road-going sports version.

The car's aggressive red bodywork with a black matte hood and other details highlighted its sporty appeal, while the original A112 engine was increased from 903cc to 982cc with a Weber twin-barrel carburetor and optimized components, including Abarth’s signature exhaust system, delivering 58 hp. Weighing just 690 kg, it was nimble and quick, excelling on tight, twisty roads. The second series of the A112 Abarth was introduced in 1973 at the Geneva Motor Show, featuring only aesthetic updates. Two years later, the third series launched, adding a larger 1,049cc engine with 70 hp.

In 1977, the fourth series saw further development, with the chassis raised by 2 cm and a redesigned front end with new headlights. The final technical evolution came with the fifth series in 1979, which introduced a five-speed gearbox and electronic ignition. The sixth series in 1982 and seventh in 1984 were largely cosmetic updates. Production ended in 1985, with a total of 121,669 units made.

The A112 Abarth debuted at the 1971 Turin Motor Show, featuring aggressive red paint with black matte hood details to emphasize its sportiness.

The A112 Abarth also had a notable racing history, particularly in the "A112 Abarth Championship" or "Trofeo", launched in 1976 by Lancia’s racing division to discover young talent, including future rally champions Attilio Bettega and Gianfranco Cunico. The "Trofeo" was held alongside the Italian Rally Championship until its final edition in 1984. Although the A112 Abarth participated in various international rallies, it did not achieve major success.

The "A112 Abarth Championship" also known as "Trofeo", ran alongside the Italian Rally Championship to discover young talents.