Description:

Fiat 131 Abarth Stradale Group 4 works rally car

We are delighted to offer this rare and genuine factory Fiat 131 Abarth Stradale built as a Group 4 replica in the colours of Markku Alen's 1977 Portuguese Rally winning car!

Well what can we say about the legendary 131 Abarth that is not already known?

Before Group B there was Group 4, and Fiat (along with a little help from Abarth) dominated the World Rally Championship with these rally monsters in 1977, 1978 and 1980 with the likes of Markku Alen and Walter Rohrl at the wheel.

Chassis number 131AR2040106 has been owned by the same rally driver since 1986.

Purchased as one of the 400 homologation Stradales (UK registration number UYY 272S) from the late, great Barry Waterhouse (Italtune) and converted to Group 4 spec.

Many ex Abarth Works parts have been used in the building of this car, and after a fortuitous trip to Kenya led to the acquisition of a whole 40ft container of Abarth rally goodies! Like the straight cut ZF dogleg 5 speed gearbox. There is also an ex Abarth Works diff in the spares package (in need of a rebuild).

The beating heart of this Twin cam Abarth is a 1995cc Fiat block with all steel internals and a lightened/balanced bottom end, mated to an Italtune ported and gas flowed 16v cylinder head with Alquati “Forest” camshafts and a pair of huge Weber 48IDF carburettors that sound truly thunderous! It certainly pulls no punches with close on 210 Bhp!

When those Alquati cams come on song it really is a white knuckle ride, blasting through the close ratio gears to the thunderous soundtrack!

The gearbox in question is an ex Abarth Works straight cut ZF dogleg unit with a standard Abarth Stradale diff.

Currently set up for Tarmac/Asphalt competition, the front suspension is Group 4 McPherson struts, rose jointed with Bilstein shock absorbers. Rear set up is fully independent as per Abarth with Bilstein shock absorbers.

The chassis has been seam welded with lightweight fibreglass wings, boot and bonnet and aluminium door skins. The underside of the car has been stripped of all underseal to save weight so it hides nothing!

Sitting in the cabin is like stepping back in time to 1977, you're Markku Alen and it's the Portuguese Rally. Park yourself in the Sparco Evo2 bucket seat, buckle up the Sabelt 6 point harness, ignition on and press that start button.

The smell, the sound of the Works Abarth straight cut gears whining away coupled with the raucous noise of those twin Weber 48's and that screaming 16v powerhouse!

Whilst it's not going to win 1st place in the Concours d'Elegance at Pebble Beach it does have some wonderful rally patina! It has been used for one purpose only, to race, rally and enjoy!

A true retro rally icon.........

For further details or to arrange a viewing please do not hesitate to contact us.

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